Whoever wins, let's congratulate them | Letters

Whoever wins, let's congratulate them | Letters
No matter the party, we should congratulate the winners whether we voted for them or not. (Getty Images)

In early June, I interviewed 30 national finalists for the White House Fellows program as a member of the White House Fellows Commission. I asked all thirty national finalists, “If you could change one thing about America, what would it be?“ By far, the most frequent response to the question was along the lines of "reduce the political divisiveness in our society." I happen to agree.

It would be very easy to point at those we would seek to blame for the divisiveness, (there are plenty of options), but doing that would only generate more divisiveness.


Instead, let's all - as Ghandi once indirectly said - be the change we want to see in the world by leading and taking responsibility in our own actions.

How can we do this?

We are citizens of the same country, and we have more in common than not. We all want our communities, our states, our country and our people to succeed.

So I suggest that we pledge to wish whoever wins well - whether it was the person we voted for or not.

This may seem like a quaint notion in a hyperpartisan age, but I really do believe that if enough Americans adopted this attitude when they vote, it would go a long way toward reducing the divisiveness in the country. This doesn't mean we can't disagree with others or still be true to our personal values, but it simply means that we respect the choice of the voters - our fellow citizens - and wish whoever they choose well.

If you need additional inspiration, here is an excerpt from John McCain's concession speech to Barack Obama in 2008:



"It is natural tonight to feel some disappointment, but tomorrow we must move beyond it and work together..."

Justin Sayfie,


The parallels to 1930s Europe are real — and frightening

I was born in 1925 in England, so I am well aware of the growth of the Nazis in Europe.

I see exactly the same atmosphere now in the USA. The world is watching. Brazil went right-wing in October. It is terrifying. Donald Trump must be stopped. He is a Nazi.

Josephine Dampier,


Lighthouse Point

Trump should be held accountable for acts of racism

The man who occupies the White House and disgraces our country with subtle racism -- by tweets, words and the omission of words -- is surely an accomplice in the horrific massacre at the synagogue in Pittsburgh and the potentially dangerous packages mailed to two past presidents and prominent Democrats throughout our country.

The lunatics who allegedly perpetrated these crimes should surely get the maximum punishment for doing so. What about Mr. Trump? His rhetoric encourages anti-Semitism and hatred against the Democrats. Shouldn’t he be held accountable?

Marilyn McCormack,

Deerfield Beach

Tax cuts not just for the rich; they benefit working people too

Someone wrote in about the tax cuts "for a few rich people." God help us if we have that many stupid people who'll believe this drivel.

Millions of working people will benefit from them as well as thousands of businesses across the country. They were able to give raises and bonuses, and most importantly do more hiring. That's why Black and Hispanic unemployment are at record lows. The market is at record levels and 401(k) plans are still well ahead and.

If you hate the President just say so, but please stop making false and inane statements about his accomplishments. Promises made, promises kept!

Neal Bluestein,

Boca Raton

You’d better believe rocks count as lethal weapons

While I respect letter writer Col. George Ratner's service, his ignorance of the lethal impact of rock throwing is mind boggling. ( Lethal force against rock throwers is murder).

The following Jews have been murdered by Muslim rock throwers:

Ester Ohana January 1983

Yehuda Shohan June 2001

Asher Palmer September 2011

Yonatan Palmer September 2011

Adele Biton March 2013

Anyone in the United States, civilian or government employee, has a right to defend themselves against an attack with a lethal weapon. Thrown rocks have proven time and again they are lethal weapons, notwithstanding Col. Ratner's hatred of President Trump.

Richard Sherman,