Looking Back

I turned 18 in 1945, 21 three years later. Frankly, I cannot remember what the voting age was then but I do remember those elections and many more in the next 64 years. Now, that is a lot of time for the forgetters to get entangled with our memory mechanics.

Strangely enough, some retention of my childhood is still quite vivid while some is long gone. True, there are ways to improve our aging memories and some work while others seemingly don't. I have a BRAIN BOOT CAMP program given to me by my son. But as I realized it is more aimed at the working brain with a fixed schedule. Being retired is something else than setting the alarm M-F and then forgetting what day it is.

Now that the election is over, I don't have to look back very far to get some memories. Let me share some with you. First, I read of a contest where aspirants are challenged to pick winners in the election. The one who came in first guessed the winner in fifty states, the candidate for the presidency, and came the closest to the margin of victory in the popular vote.

Next (not in any particular order) were some of the responses following the election. I was both amused and perplexed by the partisan prejudicial responses to the extent of which candidate was vilified the most. Then it was interesting how some TV news broadcasts were actually interested to some degree in showing some bipartisanship while others were less so inclined. I have that habit of bouncing around to the various networks especially at times like this.

Another factor, which probably is not original, is how quickly the losing side began to delineate its strategy both in the need for cooperation/compromise as well as its opposition. Another factor was the optimism shown for the mandate for the winner blunted by the idea that a mandate needs more than a simple majority.

With a country such as ours, pluralism is hardly unusual. However, with projections showing that before long, so-called “white America” will not be white by such and such a date. With immigration such a volatile topic, it doesn't appear to fade because of the election. The passion for more accountability as well as demand for skilled immigrant workers, we must wait and see.

I could go on, but let me share one more observation. As close as the election was, some of us were relieved that the margin did not demand recounts, charges of corruption and the like even though as I write, ballots are still being counted which will not be too upsetting when done.

Will I be anxiously awaiting the next election in 2016? At my age, I may not be even able to pull the lever or see the ballot or drive to the voting booth. So, my friends, I am not worrying about 2016 but I might have some concerns about 2020 (but that doesn't espeially mean my vision).