Moving to Canada? Or Staying Here?

In the past several weeks celebrities including Neve Campbell, Whoopi  Goldberg, Jon Stewart, Samuel L. Jackson and, not surprisingly, Rosie O’Donnell have all declared they will move to Canada, another country, or another planet (I wonder which one) if Trump becomes president.  They are not alone. I’ve heard this from a few others myself over the past several months. What about you?  Are you planning on jumping ship (countries actually), if the election does not produce the outcome you want?

We forget just how good we have it here in America. If it is perfection that we are in search of…will we find it in Canada? America has never been an all or nothing country.  We are a democracy (technically a Republic, but you know what I mean).  Historically we have been optimistic, believing anything is possible, if we work together.

Have you received the call where one political party is telling you to be sure to vote to stop the radical agenda of the other political party?  At this stage in my life I would prefer we not demonize each other based on our political views or declare we will throw a tantrum if things don’t go our way. There seems to be a lot of anger and complaining, but that doesn’t seem to be making things any better.

I can talk with someone that has opposing views, and it doesn’t hurt me. Sometimes that discussion reaffirms what I believe, while other times it challenges me to evaluate my beliefs.  How strong are my convictions, if they are never tested?  We can’t learn much if we surround ourselves only with thoughts we already agree with.  Political campaigns may sow the seeds of discord or even hate (if not hate it is something darn close to it), but we as individuals shouldn’t fall into their trap. Name calling doesn’t get us anywhere, and leaving won’t either.  

Instead of fighting against each other and giving power to the political class, what if we fought for something greater?  There are still values that we all share as Americans.  Can we agree to defend free speech for all, and not just our side?  Can we fight for transparency and accountability?  If we unite together on our common values there is a lot of good that we can accomplish--just look at our past.

Let’s start thinking of America like we do our family…we don’t have to agree with each other on everything in order to live together.  We can agree to disagree on some topics.  Let’s turn our focus on common core values, and start working together again.  It is better to fight for something, rather than against something.  No matter who is elected president, I will remain an American living in America and I think you will too.  So I am interested, what do you think (based on core values) we can all start working together on?