Yesterday's Tomorrow

So where do we start from today?  The election is over.  In some ways we start a new chapter in the process, in other ways we continue with the plot line in place.

Next major event on the horizon, the first Saturday in May.  The Annual Town Meeting and the Special Town Meeting.

There appears to be a lot of excitement by some an anxiety by others over the prospects of what may or may not happen in Town in general and at Town Meeting specifically.  Let's start with the in general part.

Whether you be anxious or excited, you need to remember that elections are part of the process.  Too many people seem to be acting as if Monday's results are: The end of the world or the birth of a nation.  The results are neither.

Monday's results came about due to a combination of factors.  No one issue carried the day, but several significant issues combined to rule the day.  Everyone needs to understand that, and everyone needs to accept the fact that the election is over, and those elected will serve.

As with every single person elected to any office, we all need to start with the premise that the person elected will do their best to serve all people, according to the rules and laws which govern us.  Where change is needed or perceived to be best, that it is accomplished in such a manner that involves us all.

It is no secret where the elected officials stand on certain issues.  Just as it was no secret where those who were not elected stood.  Keeping that in mind, one must remember that the majority of voters casting ballots were aware, or should have been aware, of that.  And please, save the "but they didn't know", if they didn't know about an issue who ultimately is at fault for that.

We as a society have to get out of the automatic response of trench warfare when something does not go our particular way.  We have to lose the all or nothing approach to resolving an issue.

I realize that often times there can only be one of two outcomes.  So it does seem it is all or nothing.  What people need to consider is when you are the one who initially gets stuck with that bag of lemons, how in fact you are now going to make lemonade.

Very cliched, I know.  But I think very true.

Our newly elected officials each campaigned on a platform that advocated a more open and "user" friendly form of government.  If they can accomplish that, we will all be better off.

Each will soon discover what they can and cannot do as an elected official.  What the law allows and does not allow.

There will be those who supported them who will push for them to do certain things, that if they are true to their oaths of office they will realize they cannot.

There will be those who supported them who will push for them to do certain things, that if they are true to their oaths of office they will realize they should in fact do.

They, like those who have come into office before them, will sink or swim based on their actions, on the public perception of them, and on the will of subsequent voters.

Whether they sink or swim, before you decide to hold a funeral or celebration, let us all give them a chance to at least jump in the water first.