Some Post-Election Thoughts

Perhaps now we can all take a deep breath and breathe a collective sigh. It’s over. Finally! Six billion dollars later we have come to the end of the 2012 election process.

Where are we now, as a nation? Are we two Americas? Do we citizens possess the mettle to transcend our party identity? Have we forgotten why we came together in the first place? Perhaps each of us, and especially those in Washington whose responsibility it is to govern should take some time to reflect on the words below, the words that form the preamble to our constitution:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

This morning I witnessed an interview on cable television between two voters in Ohio. Each voter had cast his ballot exactly the opposite of the other. The two made the point that even though they were friends, they had had many a heated discussion during this election year. But they both made it patently clear that their friendship was as strong as ever because, as they succinctly stated, they were friends. Aren’t we all friends of this great nation of ours?

One of the meanings of the word friend is ally. Our union appears now to be more than a bit frayed. Should not we, Congress, and the Administration all be allies toward creating a more perfect Union.

I may wear the label of my party proudly, but even more proud am I of the label that declares I am citizen of the United States of America.

Rabbi Sugarman