John, Like many of you, I was surprised by last week’s election result and wanted to take some time to gather my thoughts and reflect on the lessons we may have learned. It wasn’t so much that President-elect Trump won, but more about the mandate he received from the majority of voters.
When I took part in panel discussions on MSNBC last week, one point that I made was that sometimes in life it’s not about winning or losing. The important part is that regardless of the outcome, we have to listen to each other and try to understand the other person’s point of view or life experience. When we are quick to judge or assume the worst about other people because of their beliefs and opinions, we’re engaged in the same destructive mindset that’s contributed so greatly to the divisions in our country.
When I was a newly elected governor in 2011, there was a statewide ballot issue that myself and fellow Republicans just got crushed on. When the election was over, members of the media were shocked when they asked me for a reaction, expecting me to be upset. I instead told them that sometimes as elected officials, the public sends us a message and we would be wise to listen to them. Simply put, the voters of Ohio were not ready for the policy changes I was supporting. Today in America, we all need to pause and take a breath and learn how to listen to each other again.
I’m not going to dive deeply into the reasons that President-Elect Trump won or why Vice President Harris lost – that is for pollsters, researchers and historians to debate. But what I will say is this: the country has spoken and the results need to be respected, even when we don’t agree with them.
One of the questions I’m asked most often is how we might turn things around in this country. It doesn't start with someone else. It starts with you and me.
So here’s my challenge to you. It’s the same challenge I’ve given myself: Start focusing more on what each of us can do to build a stronger neighborhood or community. What can we do to make our family stronger? What can we do to find more joy or happiness in the time we spend with others? What can we do to listen to each other better and learn rather than being quick to dismiss if we disagree?
That is where the real change will start. If we keep looking to Washington, D.C. for all the answers, we’re going to continue to grow more divided and lose faith in each other.
You may not have heard, but next spring, I’ll be releasing a new book to highlight the role of faith institutions in supporting ordinary people and helping them to do extraordinary things to improve their communities. My book will not only offer hope and inspiration based on the ways people have made big changes to benefit their communities, but also provide a roadmap to get us thinking of all the ways we can work to see our impossible dreams made possible.
I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as we have more details about the release of the book.
I intend to listen and learn from my fellow Americans. But you also know that I will continue to speak out when I hear disturbing rhetoric or see policies or programs that I don't believe are in the best interest of the American people. We truly are all in this together. I’m so appreciative to have you on this team and I always value hearing from you. Feel free to reply to this email to let me know what you think.
Thank you! |
