November 4 isn’t a holiday but I pray it’s a fresh start for the politically divided states and communities we call home. I understand politics is a dirty business but much of what we saw this election cycle was sad, shameful, and ugly.
Millions of midterm election dollars were spent on out-of-context sound bites, AI-generated pictures, lies, and innuendoes. That ought to inspire some serious soul searching about decency, integrity, and what we tolerate from candidates and political action committees on this rocky road called “public service.”
President Trump encouraged supporters and campaign rally participants to act like his name was on the 2026 ballot. Many did, therefore, my questions today are for Mr. Trump and the folks who were on the ballot for real.
(1) When will you create equitable and humane immigration policies? Rounding up neighbors and disappearing them is un-American. Due process is a right, not a suggestion.
(2) Are our military and their families adequately resourced, cared for, and appreciated? What is the U.S. peace strategy, and when will this Iranian War, “that’s not a real war” end?
(3) With gas prices unbearably high at the pump, why are American oil companies earning record profits with seemingly no concern for the daily pain consumers and truckers are facing?
(4) Would you please take a look at campaign finance before 2028? We need to see whose big money is paying for these fast-talking ads with the small print. Further, if folks spend their own money to buy their desired office, can we still hold them accountable?
(5) Can we reconnect to our long-time friends/allies and cut the threats, tariffs, and trash talking?
(6) Will you enforce freedom of the press and anti-trust rules governing access and media ownership? Those amendments and rules were created for a reason, and we, the people, need to see/know what government is doing.
(7) What do we need to know about immigrant prisons and data centers BEFORE they magically appear in minority communities? The secrecy surrounding them is unacceptable.
(8) Can we offer a refresher course on the three branches of government so representatives understand they represent THE PEOPLE first, then the party?
(9) This isn’t a question but rather an urgent request: put everything Jeffry Epstein on the table now. No more excuses, omissions or impeachment threats, just the whole sordid story.
Finally, every election year we hear how important elections are because everything is political. We understand that explanation but somehow it seems that the political issues are more intrusive, judgmental, and personal with legislative battles over living, dying, gender, restrooms… Can we get more personal than that?
As we strive to heal our communities, to see, care, and be accountable to and for one another, I pray we will reach out and up to offer a hand. Together we can build bridges, both literally and figuratively, for a better tomorrow. And, if we, the people, want to live in peace, it must begin with and within us.
