It’s time.
It is time to find the courage to forgive.
Losing an election is very difficult, especially if you felt as though you really had some good to do. However the reality of an election in America is that votes decide how and with whom a government will move into the future.
An ability to move forward productively after political defeat is, I believe, the single most important virtue necessary for a successful Republic. The ability to move forward productively after political defeat, in my opinion, has everything to do with a cultural understanding of political forgiveness, especially in an E pluribus Unum nation such as ours.
As our nation (and City) has moved to a multicultural model of democracy (where representatives of tribes are expected to fight exclusively for that tribe) the idea of productive political governance has become extremely confusing and weak. When compromise is considered betrayal by the tribe and progress is measured only in tribal advances, the country (and City) as a whole suffers.
What to do? Let us learn again how to forgive. For those of us fortunate enough to have been taught “The Lord’s Prayer”, let us be encouraged to remember that trespasses and debts include political affronts and disappointments. Bitterness and revenge will never make us a better nation (or City). And let us consider that although we are made up of different peoples, religions and sexes, we are one in what America has always stood for in the world – a light of freedom and opportunity for all.
John Safford
Former candidate for city supervisor
Saratoga Springs
