The election showed that America and Florida need more critical thinking

Thinking still neededDonald Trump wins back White House in historic political comeback | Nov. 6

The recent election cycle led me to reflect on what we believe. The reactions after the election have exacerbated this reflection.

If someone thinks a certain way and then see news that supports their thinking, then they believe it is true. On the contrary, if they see news that opposes what they think, they believe it is a lie. This polarization was very evident in this recent election.

This is an exaggeration, but I believe we have been a headline and meme society. We have lost and abandoned the need to be critical thinkers. If a favorite news station says something, that is what is believed. We must each take responsibility to dig deeper, ensuring that our understanding is based on comprehensive information rather than selective headlines or viral posts.

We cannot abandon the need to be critical thinkers. When we do that, we allow other people to think for us.

Our thinking and our beliefs are shaped by what we feed our brain: What we read, what we watch, what we listen to and who we associate with. Unless we fill our minds with opposing views we lose the ability to have civil disagreements. It is this one-sided thinking that has led to the post-election reaction: either meltdowns or jubilation. Perhaps the path forward lies in rekindling our curiosity and willingness to explore viewpoints that challenge our own, fostering a society where disagreement does not mean division.

Joe Brown, Tampa

Don't recommendBad call on not making a presidential recommendation | Column, Nov. 5

Why is it appropriate for any business or organization, including a newspaper, to support a particular political candidate unless everyone in that business or organization feels the same way? No business or organization should lend their support unless 100% of their employees agree. Otherwise, they disregard the opinions of those employees who do not feel the same way.

Tom Gallagher, Seminole

Money talksElection showed the democratic system does work | Editorial, Nov. 7

The editorial ignores the effect that money, lies and voter suppression played in the elections. The U.S. is no longer a democracy. Whether it is a plutocracy, an oligarchy, or some form of fascism is yet to be seen.

Elizabeth Corwin, Tampa

Where's the bacon?Democrats had a bad election, no matter how you measure it | Column, Nov. 8

The U.S. economy surpasses most other countries. Americans want instant gratification and change does not happen that way. You worried about the price of eggs and bacon? Wait until there are no farm workers.

Leslie Phillips, Brooksville

Blame gameDemocrats had a bad election, no matter how you measure it | Column, Nov. 8

All the blaming that is going on within the Democratic Party is not focusing on the key issues.

If the left doesn't address those two problems, they will continue to become more irrelevant and less attractive to the American people, and the coalition that the Republicans built in this election will continue to grow and strengthen.

Charles Michael Sitero, Ormond Beach

See you in 2 yearsWhy people voted Trump: 9 Floridians in their own words | Nov. 10

The latest Times Sunday edition is a keeper. After reading the lead story with interviews with nine supporters of President-elect Donald Trump, I'm downloading a copy to my cloud storage. I'll revisit it on Nov. 10th, 2026. Let's see how their diet of disinformation and false hopes have held up after two years.

Ray Dabkowski,

Recognize your audienceWhy people voted Trump: 9 Floridians in their own words | Nov. 10

The opening sentence of this begins: "Definitively, defiantly, 56% of Floridians voted alongside a majority of Americans to send former President Donald J. Trump back to the White House ..."

When the majority of the state and the country voted for Trump, who exactly are they being defiant to? The Times' continued failure to recognize reality in both the state and the nation is astounding. Congratulations! Your business model of defiance of your audience will only be your undoing.

Scott Germak, St. Petersburg

Stay trueWhy people voted Trump: 9 Floridians in their own words | Nov. 10

After reading about why people voted for Donald Trump, all I can say is at least the Tampa Bay Times is not biased. I will leave it at that.

Holly Haley, New Port Richey

Trump posterTrump Again | Nov. 10

Having wasted our hard-earned subscription fee on the Trump Again poster (which, if I had a parrot, would be lining its cage right now), how about in an upcoming paper including a poster of the front page the Times had almost certainly prepared in the eventuality that Kamala Harris had won. We can put this on our wall to help us through the next four years. Thank you.