Losing sleep about the election

 

I’m having trouble sleeping. Are you?

If so, I’m guessing that you, like me, are losing sleep over the presidential election. 

You’re worried about who will win.

You’re worried that the winner of the popular vote won’t become president if he or she doesn’t win enough electoral votes.That doesn’t seem right.  Or that the candidate who receives fewer votes than his or her opponent will be declared the winner. That doesn’t seem right either. 

You’re worried Americans won't know who won for days, maybe weeks, after Election Day. 

You are worried that one or both parties are going to cheat.

You’re worried about what those disappointed by the outcome will do when their candidate loses. Will there be massive civil disobedience? Will people take to the streets with guns? Will cities burn? Will bridges be blown up? 

You’re disturbed because, once again, you’re not voting for a candidate, you’re voting against his or her opponent. Of the 300+ million people in America, why in the hell can’t we produce candidates better than these two?

You’re worried the polls (which you have trouble believing) indicate that half the people in this country are apparently willing to turn a blind eye to the obvious flaws of the candidate you are voting against. What's wrong with these people? 

You’re wondering how friends and loved ones who are voting against your candidate can be so stupid. You like to say their choice doesn’t affect your opinion of them, but it does. And that makes you feel bad. You should be bigger than this. 

You’re reminded that Lincoln, who knew a thing or two about running against an opponent with diametrically opposite views, said “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” 

Every four years you are told that "this is the most important election in American history.” This one may or may not be the most important, but you are convinced it is certainly the most important of your lifetime. 

Regardless of who wins, you’re dreading the next four years of nonstop vitriol. 

You are heartsick it has come to this. You shouldn't care this much -- the world will go on regardless of what happens -- but you can't help yourself because you care about integrity and truth and honesty and competence and intelligence and fairness and common sense.

And that is why you are lying awake at night and when you do fall asleep, your dreams are filled with dread about your country’s future.

Just like mine.