The campaign solicitations are over — for now

Two blessed results of the election: (1) it’s over, and (2) the spigot of personal email solicitations has been shut off — for now.

Starting in the summer and continuing until Election Day, I heard almost daily from five Democratic candidates and organizations (two in my native Montana, where of course I don’t vote), all calling me by my first name — and all soliciting money. Never once did I get a note saying, “Dear Mr. Bowler. As a registered Democrat, you might be interested in my views on global warming and how they contrast with those of my opponent.” Instead, the typical email from Hillary (only slightly exaggerated): “Dear Mike. Bill and I are panicked. The Koch Brothers have given a billion dollars to the Trump campaign. Won’t you send $1,500 (or at least one measly buck). Love, Hillary.”

I know that Citizens United and its loosing of millions of PAC dollars on the commonweal have necessitated this groveling. And I know there’s a model for it — going back at least to the first Obama campaign. But in its own way this practice is as cynical as the PAC approach. Really, is anyone impressed by an email from Hillary calling him or her by first name?

There is a solution: John Sarbanes’ Government By the People Act, which has some backing in Congress. Perhaps there’ll be a groundswell of support for a new approach to campaign financing in the aftermath of this dreadful election. Mike Bowler, Catonsville

Show resepct

I write not to spout pro-Hillary or pro-Trump rhetoric, but to offer some reflective positivity. The election is over, and Donald Trump has won. I realize it is not the result that many people wanted or expected, and I was shocked by this outcome as well. But after all the hate and name-calling that I have witnessed on Facebook, I could not keep quiet. I am genuinely upset and mortified by what I have read.

In case you have not noticed, the world is not ending, the apocalypse is not coming, and we are not going to go back 60 years. President Barack Obama has reminded us that no matter what happens, the sun will rise again tomorrow. To quote Hillary Clinton, “we owe him an open mind and the chance to lead.” She also reminded us to never stop believing that fighting for what is right is worth it.

This was a contest, and in a contest there are winners and losers. When did it become acceptable to lose your minds and start name calling when your candidate loses? We must not turn into savages and verbally attack our fellow Americans. For the sake of our nation we must come together and help move our country forward together as one. We live in a divided nation, and spouting hate will not solve anything.

We should be ashamed of ourselves, not by whom we chose to elect but rather our behavior as his tenure in office draws near. I will not be unfriending anyone on Facebook, as that totally contradicts what I am writing about. I respect each and every one of those I interact with on social media, and I invite you to show the same respect. Andrew Compton

We need better candidates

The article, “Trump victory sparks activism” (Nov. 12), touches on many points but leaves out one massive change. This change is in how easily we will accept and support those seeking to be elected or re-elected. If this election is proof of anything, it’s that it is long past time for the Democratic Party to make some big changes.

For too long, we have forced ourselves to get excited about and support those who are not truly deserving of our support. Voters will no longer allow sitting leaders to have a sense of entitlement. Politicians considered likely candidates for governor such as Baltimore County’s Kevin Kamenetz and Prince George’s County’s Rushern L. Baker III must understand that the old ways are dead and gone. All of our candidates will be weighed and measured, and if they are found lacking, they will not be supported. An individual who has reached the limit of his or her term at the next election cycle is not the de facto choice for other open seats. Nepotism is also on its way out the door. Candidates will not be able to skate by on their family name, they must prove themselves on their own merits.

There are many individuals who have never held political office or ever considered holding a political office but would make phenomenal leaders. Groups are coming together as I type this letter to make sure that the next time we are raising our banners, it will be for not the lesser of two evils or just the next person in line but for a good choice. Marc Lester, Nottingham