To the Editor:

Over the past few weeks, The Enterprise has received several letters written with the tone that the country is headed for imminent doom. The reasons given mainly revolve around the party switch that happened in the White House, which encompasses all of the executive branch of the federal government.

Congressman Paul Tonko acutely observed shortly after the election that people were “experiencing grief, despair, and anger, while many of our friends and neighbors are feeling exactly the opposite.” Unfortunately, only a few short months later, the language has devolved into dystopian imagery, Nazi name calling, and hopes for failure. Where is the consideration that nearly 50 percent of the population wanted to see a different future for the country than what the last administration had delivered? 

The recent discourse and sentiment leaves no room for constructive dialogue about what type of future we should be creating, what good aspects of our culture we should embrace, or what unbecoming behaviors our society should reject. Our country has immensely benefited from civil debate where two ideological sides continuously state their vision for the future while sticking to the convictions and truth they refuse to compromise on. Insinuating that silence is deemed consent or demanding apologies for bringing up thorny issues is unproductive and ineffective.

The Republicans who now occupy the executive branch are giving it their best effort for the benefit of our county just as much as the Democrats tried the best that they could. Unfortunately, the best efforts of the last four years resulted in stagnation and a wish for something better. The hope, ingenuity, and drive of Americans was depressed, hence the choice for a change at the helm. 

Yes, the change in party control brings with it a top-down restructuring of all levels of government. The Constitution is still the law of the land, however, and Republicans will have to deal with that reality just as much as Democrats did previously. Why though, would it be a bad thing to dig deep into the functions of government, their spending, and potential waste? We all pay when these things are deemed off limits just because they are the norm. 

Democratic norms are not the Constitution; they can and should be refined over time with keener understanding. Keeping with a norm just because it’s what we know is detrimental and prevents effective growth of the good things that require cultivation. It was clear to many that a change of course was necessary. As The Enterprise explains in its recent article, almost all demographic groups and almost all localities in Albany County shifted right in the last election.

I reject the idea that our country is no longer the guiding force it once was. Our foundational principles are not being eroded; however, we must continuously remind ourselves to not forget them. Dr. Ben Carson succinctly verbalized these foundations as faith, liberty, community, and life. If we respect and honor these pillars, the future we create will be bright, safe, and joyful. 

Most importantly, this is a critical time to not forget the faith we must have, first in God, and then in our neighbors and communities. This trust is the only way to find contentment, sustain our quality of life, and ensure prosperity.  We should be communicating, leaning on each other, and asking difficult questions to lift up everyone rather than dividing and rooting for others to fail. 

Christopher Longo

Guilderland