Election day gratitude

I just voted in Portland, Maine. The line was long, the process took more than an hour. Everyone in line was polite and friendly, as were the poll workers. The weather, as is typical in Maine in the fall, was cool and humid.

Just looking at people waiting in line, it appears there will be a fiercely fought battle between L.L. Bean and Patagonia.

What I’m grateful for

I’m grateful that I live in a nation where I have choices and my vote matters. Here in Maine we have ranked-choice voting, so my choices can have a bit more nuance — if my first choice for a seat doesn’t get a majority, my second choice will still matter.

I’m grateful to be able to vote for representation in the U.S. House and Senate, the Maine House and Senate, and the Portland City Council. I’m also grateful that smaller the geographical units covered, the less party affiliation matters.

I’m grateful that, for the most part, voting in the United States is free from fraud and irregularities. For the most part.

I’m grateful that my neighbors, though we disagree on political issues, are cordial and neighborly to each other.

I’m grateful for the variety of news media that write about the election, the candidates, their positions, and their character, and moderate debates.

I’m hopeful that regardless of who wins this election, the Republic will continue, assuming the checks and balances built into the system keep people from executing extreme positions without the need for compromise.

I’m grateful for the ability to express my opinion online without fear of retribution by government officials, and I hope that remains the case.

What I’m not so grateful for

I’m displeased with the amount of attention the media gives to polls, when the polls have so little to do with how people actually vote.

I’m displeased with the limited choices available at the national and state level, and the lack of responsiveness of the political parties.

I’m displeased that demonization of candidates and groups of residents has become so common, when we have so many larger problems that will require teamwork and tolerance to solve.

I’m displeased that there’s no efficient system to provide ballot access to all who should be able to vote.

I’m displeased that my vote and the vote of so many others means so little outside of swing states.

I’m displeased that social media has become such a gusher of unchecked disinformation, and that so many of my fellow citizens have ceased to be able to think critically about the information they consume.

This is worth saving

If you are wondering what has prevented America from realizing its true potential for greatness, it is divisiveness. Not immigrants, not high taxes, not diversity of opinions. Divisiveness. We could accomplish so much more together.

Let’s try that for a change.