Anonymous wrote:If you told me we are on the brink of a civil war that will last 4 years, cost 6-7 million lives, and not fully resolve the underlying issues but the country will continue to nominally exist as the United States I would not feel optimistic.

What if I told you that what we are going through right now with the pandemic, riots, foreign interference in elections, the incumbent president refusing to transfer power, and radicalization of both sides of the political spectrum is not the worst thing our country has been through? Not even close.

I really think you should spend 90 minutes listening to it with your kids if you have the time. It's a good reminder that there is a strength and flexibility in the structure of our democracy that allows the country as a whole to stabilize even after periods of tremendous upheaval.

If you told me we are on the brink of a civil war that will last 4 years, cost 6-7 million lives, and not fully resolve the underlying issues but the country will continue to nominally exist as the United States I would not feel optimistic.

Anonymous wrote:Not sure the election of 1860 is that reassuring

Ha! It’s hard to say that it wasn’t worse, and America did survive.

Not sure the election of 1860 is that reassuring

... How America survived elections even more divisive than the one in 2016, by Jim Weiss

In light of recent events, I am re-listening to this with my children, and I have found it reassuring and a good reminder that our country has been through civil unrest, riots, and refusal to transfer power in the past, and the country as a whole has survived.
It’s a three part series on the elections of 1800, 1860, and 1968. Mr. Weiss goes through the historical factors leading up to the controversies surrounding the elections, the elections themselves, and ends with a hopeful message about the resilience of our political system. It’s very well done and compelling to listen to.

The last two episodes are free on Amazon music plus. Otherwise, they are on Well-Trained Mind for a few dollars apiece.

Anyway, I just wanted to share in case anyone here is looking for something to relieve anxiety about the election and to view it in the context of the history of our country.
Take care all!