MMMa and I enjoyed the morning of November 7. It was a striking sunrise on my birthday. The elections were finally over and I felt very positive that our country will truly see a brighter day. My sentiment is not about partisanship , I fancy myself as a “mugwump” – a person who remains aloof or independent, especially from party politics. The word may be a version of a word used by Algonquin Indians meaning “war leader”. The first use in politics referred to Republicans in the presidential race of 1884 who chose to support Democratic candidate Grover Cleveland. That race was marred by “bitter mudslinging and scandalous accusations that attempted to overshadow substantive issues.” Sounds like history does repeat itself. Cleveland became the first Democrat elected to the Presidency since before the Civil War.
I was originally thinking that this word was less positive – a political fence sitter who won’t come down on either side hoping to have things both ways. I clearly remember a cartoon from my early education of a person with their mug on one side of the fence and their wump on the other. I prefer the principled leadership of a person who is “politically un-enslaved. Holding high definite principles. A person who votes for the best candidate regardless of party.” Mark Twain was an independent thinker, he insisted “loyalty to petrified opinions never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul in this world—and never will.” Twain led the Republican defection in the 1884 election at no small risk to his personal and financial future. Twain declared “patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.”
November 7 was a fine day for our country as we saw the beginning of a major course change. Those elected have a daunting task ahead of them – I take heart that the new group includes many women, ethnic diversity, and younger politicians who understand our past and can see an even better future. Twain’s advice is relevant today “with courage you will dare to take risks, have strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.”
The future is bright. Enjoy the week end. Mike