To the editors:
Matthew Fenton’s editorial this morning is the best thing we have read since the election debacle.
Thank you, Matthew, for writing such a hopeful, calming piece in the face of the unimaginable. It should be read by everyone.
Sincerely, Brian and Carol Rogers
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Although Matthew comments were largely on point, the election really brought out the one political American truism that has existed since this country’s founding:
Barring a recognized national disaster (such as the bombing of Pearl Harbor), all nonsectarian politics is at it’s core economic. In full knowledge that I am only a dilettante I believe that the election result was due to the country’s not taking care of the economic distress of the middle and ‘working’ class after the crash.
Race, gender etc may have been factor, but with the loss of jobs because of the dislocation of major industries (whether from overseas production or from changes in energy use) without replacement for work in other fields, coupled with wage stagnation, I think that this was a cry from those who see a poor future for themselves and their children, and those citizens put their faith into a promise for change, no matter how delivered.
Question: Is there really any difference between immigrants who can not find a decent life in their native country and are willing to give up their lives for any change and those Americans who voted in a fear for their families’ future in the USA?
This kind of middle class angst made for in humanity’s past all sorts of populist charlatans and dictators and we can only hope that that type of excess is not in our future. Our one saving grace is that our 4 year elections give us a safety valve and that benefit should not be squandered.
Matthew when you wrote ‘let’s get to work’, you didn’t indicate what kind of work.
So much for my spouting.
Louis Kleinman
Thank you for a motivating message on a dark day. Thank you also for your obituary of community organizer Ruth Ohman, an inspiring example of getting things done, one step at a time, always with a smile and a twinkle in her eye.
Caroline P.
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You incorrect assumption is that we are living in the”best of times.” Every poll shows the American People believe that their children will not be better off then they are. That obviously shows that we are not living the “best of times.”
Stuart Avrick
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Well put Matthew Fenton!!
Charles Kacherski
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Woe is me-or maybe not so much…
While still reeling from the shock of the election results and in despair about the state of our nation, Mathew’s inspiring thoughts in this morning’s Broadsheet really resonated with me. Thank you, Mathew, for your wisdom. You are so right. It is indeed time to move ahead, even if it’s just with baby steps…time to be who we have always been and do whatever we can do going forward – just as we have always done. While I confess I would like to sit in a dark closet and suck my thumb, instead I will take your wise advice, pick myself up, dust myself off, and find my equilibrium one mo’ time. Ever onward!
Beverly Hegmann
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Thank you for these fortifying thoughts dying these terribly trying times.
Alice Blank
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There is enough sadness about government around us today.
Great expression in your op ed today, Matthew. Everyone in our lobby, staff and residents, this morning seemed depressed.
Oy!!
Maryanne