Before the 2016 Presidential election I'd like to think I acted with a specific set of values related to citizenship. Here's a summary of what I believed then.

I believed that community problems are best solved when all the impacted parties have a voice at the table. I believed that everyone was worthy of being listened to. I believed that issues should be debated vigorously with facts. I believed that I had a sacred duty to tell the truth. I believed that I had a responsibility to act on convictions, and protest the government when necessary. I believed that all political parties are on the same team, at the end of the day. I believed in treating others with respect, even if I didn't like them much.

I believed that violence is never acceptable. I believed that I should surround myself with a diversity of perspectives, including ones that don't conform to my worldview. I believed that I should argue (with civility) with people I disagree with. I believed in voting. I believed that complaining was not much more than cheap talk. I believed in thinking through the complexity and nuance of issues. I believed in changing my mind when the facts changed. And many more.

These are ideas I still believe in. It's going to take a lot more than one election to change my mind about the things I believed on Monday, November 7, 2016. 

I've seen a lot of talk amongst the people I surround myself with (who tend to be progressives) and I suppose this is what I'm trying to say: I don't care who you are or who you voted for. As long as you're willing to exchange in a civil dialogue about issues, beliefs, and ideas, I'm willing to be part of it.

I have so many other ideas and frustrations about American politics at this moment, (about conservatives and progressives), but I think I'll leave it at that for now.

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