Presidential election was the natural swing of the pendulum and no reason to lose friends | Opinion

Better together

As someone who has worked on Capitol Hill and have been a lobbyist for more than 30 years, I can tell you that every politician lies. They over-promise and under deliver. It's just the nature of the beast.

Unfortunately, I have seen people lose friends and family over differences of opinion about politicians. That's simply stupid. If your candidate won at the national, state, or local level — congratulations! However, please don't be a jerk to your friends and family about it.

If your candidate lost, I'm sorry, but don't whine and claim the injustice of it. The political pendulum constantly swings back and forth and there are always chances to have an impact.

The men and women who served and those who died for our country did not sacrifice for a political party. They served proudly for the red, white and blue and for what America represents, regardless of any politician.

We need ongoing constructive debates and diverse opinions to make policies better. Respectful differences of opinion help create better solutions for everyone. Good family and friends are hard to find. Keep them close and don't let an election or a candidate cause division.

Dave Wenhold,

Key West

Day of honor

The conclusion of the first World War on Nov. 11, 1918 was called Armistice Day. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill changing the name of the holiday to Veterans Day. An individual who has given military service in peacetime and wartime and was discharged honorably has earned the title of veteran.

The motto of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 23 is Duty, Honor, Commitment. Duty is fulfilling obligations. Honor is integrity, ethics, loyalty, service, respect. Commitment is a promise to act with purpose; an obligation. The VVA motto is: "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another." These are tenets of a veteran.

The veteran's presence is to keep the peace. Knowing that the nation stands with the veteran is heartfelt. I share respect everyday for veterans and their families. I thank them for their dedication and devotion.

Louis Cohen,

Amendment failures

People should have known what they were voting for and not just from TV ads. Competing ads against Florida's Amendments 3 and 4 were filled with completely fabricated lies and were partially funded by our state government with our tax dollars. That is unconscionable.

TV stations made money and provided no feedback about the lies they presented that swayed this vote. Shameful.

Alfred Sasiadek,

Open arms

To the people living in my home state of Florida, everyone is welcome here. Everyone is needed here. Everyone is necessary here.

Never mind election results.

Rev. Robert Gray,

What's ahead?

I have always thought America is the greatest country in the world.

Next year and for the following three years, we will see what "only great" looks like.

Bob Sarnack,

Into the abyss

More devastating than the change in the occupancy of the White House is that we have lost our decency, forgone democracy, denied integrity, accepted mendacities and traded our humanity for a golden calf.

While many rejoice, others wonder and question, how could we stoop so low?

Bruce Shpiner,

Why Trump won

The second election of Donald J. Trump as President of the United States is the natural result of the left's highly politically correct, anti-white, anti-male and anti-America rhetoric. If you demonize the people you disagree with, paint them as racists and oppressors and tell them that any and all of their successes are a result of some unearned "privilege," they will create a counterrevolution.

Trump is the consequence of their actions, their rhetoric and the identity politics they have brought into the American political landscape. Progressive liberals have made their bed. Now they can lie in it.

Charles Michael Sitero,

Ormond Beach

Time is short

The Democratic Party has numerous lessons to learn from the recent election. If it wants to make any headway in the 2026 midterm elections, the time to act is now. A detailed debriefing and an honest assessment of the party's weaknesses is a must. A comprehensive plan must be implemented now.

Republicans spent almost four years executing their plans. Look at the results.

Charles Sawyer,

Trump's victory

As a young college student some 40 years ago, I vividly remember the shock of then-Egyptian President Anwar Sadat's assassination and the words of then-Sen. Edward M. Kennedy: "The worst has happened, and the world has broken our hearts again."

Today, I find myself echoing those words, with a slight change and the same sadness: "The worst has happened, and the U.S. has broken the hearts of those who stand for good in the world." Never have I wished more to be wrong in this belief.

Mayree Morin Fernandez,

South Miami

Military service

I served for more than 32 years in the United States Navy. I am 81 years old and in declining health from Parkinson's Disease and blood cancer acquired from exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

Now, when people ask what I did for a living, I tell them that I was a sucker and a loser.

David R. Carlson,

Miami Beach

Sick of ads

The day after the election, a feeling of euphoria came over me.

As I sat down with my coffee to listen to the only remaining unbiased news — traffic and weather — I did not have to listen to one, single, repugnant political ad.

Alfonso Fernandez-Fraga,

A new vision

The Shining City on the Hill has gone dark, but take heart! The price of eggs will go down and women will be protected, whether we like it or not.

Bianca Hagar,

Too optimistic

"Don't bet the ranch" is an old American expression urging caution when making important decisions. On election day, 51% of Americans decided to ignore that advice by voting for Donald Trump.

Forty years ago, Ronald Reagan's election ushered in a period referred to as "Morning in America." For all of our sake, let's hope this next period will not result in a "Mourning for America."

Drew Fishel,

Coral Gables

Changing opinions

Miami-Dade County is now Republican. The Miami Herald has consistently been against everything Republican and has not provided fair and balanced news. Perhaps it's time to change out some of the liberal editors for some conservative ones and return to fair and balanced news reporting.

A real newspaper should present both sides, not be all one-sided.

Gene Marchese, Jr.,

Southwest Ranches

Fearing democracy

When a nation fears the banning of assault weapons more than it fears the banning of books, democracy is in jeopardy. When owners control media content and rid themselves of the "fairness doctrine," democracy is in crisis.

When Citizens United creates unequal outcomes in delivering information, democracy is harmed. When free and fair elections are contested, democracy has been narrowed.

When a democracy descends to 57th place among free nations (according to Freedom House, a nonprofit political advocacy organization) and its citizens believe they are "first," their system has sheltered them from knowing their place in the world.

When laws are unequally administered and courts declare the leader above and separate from the rest, democracy can not hold.

When citizens storm the citadel of their democracy, attacking the democratic process, they confuse a democratically elected leader's command with democracy itself.

Phil Beasley,