“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Barring a seismic turnaround, that’s likely how history books will write the 2016 presidential race. While the American people were prepared for a serious discussion about the nation’s future, they instead have been treated to one of the most caustic, shallow election seasons in recent memory. Indeed, most Americans are now feeling like the country will be headed in the wrong direction regardless who is elected president. This is a historic missed opportunity.

Where can we find optimism in an election cycle that has been anything but optimistic? In one small corner of the Internet, I was fortunate to participate in an exercise that should give hope to anyone concerned about making government work again for all Americans.