I participate in two citizen forums (discussion groups) every week.  They are conducted at county senior centers and usually have 15 to 20 persons in attendance.  One of them is all men, the other has both male and female participants.  The subjects discussed cover the waterfront, but we generally avoid partisan politics and religion.  The exchanges are polite and respectful.

On at least two occasions I have been tempted to erupt.  One time I posed the question, “If Biden were to be replaced, which Democrat Party leaders are capable of leading the country?”  A gentleman for whom I have great respect was quick with an answer.  “Governors Newsom of California and Whitmer of Michigan.”   I could not avoid responding with a loud groan.   I know very little about Whitmer, but Newsome has been an absolute disaster for California.  I believe his elevation to the Presidency would accelerate America’s path toward destruction.

More recently, in another forum, another gentleman lamented the sad fact that American citizens had failed to elect either of the two persons he believed to be most qualified to be our President, Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders.  I grabbed the chair arms tightly to avoid collapsing on the floor.

Those who made these statements are good, intelligent men.  How can my own political beliefs differ so radically from theirs?  I’m certain that each of them would find my support of Donald Trump just as difficult to comprehend. 

Each of us sees the world through a different lens.  I only hope that we can reconcile our differences and work together to build a better future for our nation.