After more than a year-and-a-half of the ugliest presidential campaign in modern memory, the election is over. Election season went on so long that many people just wanted it to end, regardless of who won.
Voters finally had their say. President-elect Trump’s Cabinet is slowly forming, the Clintons are fading into the background and people are moving on with their lives. Instead of rehashing election debates, Americans should use Thanksgiving as a time to recover and grow closer with their families again.
This Thanksgiving, take a break from politics. Learn some fun conversation starters for changing the subject. (Did you know there are four towns in the United States named after turkey?). Talk about family. (How is nephew Johnny doing in school?)
Talk about football (This is definitely the Detroit Lions’ year!) Talk about movies and culture. (Seen that new “Harry Potter” movie?) Maybe even talk about faith. (Should we say grace before the feast?)
In some families, politics is bound to come up anyway. If so, how about just listening for a change? Not every perceived wrong statement needs to be rebutted, and not every argument needs to be engaged. If this election has taught people anything, it’s that we need to be better at listening to each other instead of talking past one another.
If Uncle Joe says something about illegal immigrants, ask him why he wants them deported, and listen to his answer instead of calling him a racist. If Aunt Ellen says she’s afraid of what Trump will do, ask her why instead of calling her a socialist. If you vehemently disagree with what they say, just respond with, “That’s an interesting opinion.” Save the arguments for some other time.
It’s important to remember why politics and government exist: in order to make it possible to live the other parts of our life in the most prosperous and enjoyable way. It’s no good if we spend all our free time bickering instead of enjoying ourselves and spending time with family and friends.
Politics isn’t an end in itself, and it isn’t just a team sport where it’s OK to be rude to the opposing fans.
Don’t forget that Thanksgiving is a day to express thanks, not just a day to eat great food. Be thankful for your family and friends. Be thankful for the food on the table. Be thankful for your freedoms and the liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
According to Gallup, 77 percent of Americans think the country is divided on its most important values — the highest level in 23 years of polling on how divided the country is. But we should be thankful the country isn’t nearly as divided as it was when President Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Thanksgiving proclamation in the midst of the Civil War.
Take a rest from politics today. Be thankful that football, movies and, most importantly, your family are there.
Jason Russell is the contributors editor for the Washington Examiner.
