Learn from the election, and take responsibility

Published 1:30 am Sunday, November 27, 2016

How many of us Left Coast Liberals, sheltered up here in our corner of the country, missed the hand-writing on the wall? I did. I neglected my responsibility to really learn what the middle of the country was clearly ready to shout out. In my blue state world view, narrow as it is, there couldn’t have possibly been any other choice but an intelligent, accomplished and competent person for the most important job in the country. How could anyone think otherwise? Ha! How wrong I was. For all the talk of including all Americans and fighting for the resurgence of the middle class, the Democrats failed. We failed not only in those pursuits but in listening to and hearing the disaffected electorate for whom no changes have occurred and who are still struggling economically. It is the economy, stupid. It is always the economy.

I feel sad and angry about the outcome of the presidential election, but it is a done deal. More than sad and angry though, I feel guilty. I didn’t take the time to know the breadth and depth of the hopelessness felt in such a large part of the country. Things were OK here and with me, so whatever, right? Nope. I failed. We all failed. I take responsibility and promise to know more and do better.

Please know that in my new learning and understanding, I will not back down from what is my core belief of equality among all. I will not stand by and let others be persecuted for their race, religion or gender. Those have always been and will always be deal-breakers to me. If I see someone being bullied, I will step in. If I hear hate-talk, I will answer back and shout it down. If I see discrimination, I will call it out and fight against it. In my heart and mind — that is what not only a good person does, but what a true American does.

Mary Ellen Hardy

Everett