Can we take a time out?

Donald Trump claims the election was “rigged.” We don’t have any ironclad proof of that claim, but let’s cut some slack, sit back and think about it for a moment.

Assume Congress forms a bipartisan commission to study the 2020 election results. At the very least such a commission should be charged with evaluating the Electoral College system, and the election processes in all 50 states. Note that they can (and certainly will) also weigh in on any irregularities their analysis finds with the 2020 election.

Ideally, over the next 20 months or so (in time for midterms for Congress) or 40 months (for 2024) the commission could find inefficiencies or even inequities in the various systems. It would then make recommendations to the Congress and even the states for legislative measures to address any issues. Do note that the states would have to sign on here (This last is Federalist logic — you don’t want to know.) All good so far?

Suppose that while evaluating the systems the commission discovers irregularities in the 2020 election! Then, and only then, should legal action be taken. And it is up to Congress to decide what that action should be; based on what, if anything, is uncovered.

In the meantime, the United States will have a functioning government with which to face the pressures of the outside world (Russia, China, Iran, Korea, terrorism, etc.) and the major domestic issues about which citizens are concerned (abortion, immigration, even possible racism, masks, vaccination. etc.).

Think about it. Even if you disagree with the party in power come Jan. 20, how much harm can be done to you personally, or to the country as a whole, in the next few months? We have seen how slowly the government moves, even when the Congress and the Oval Office are controlled by one party (e.g. 2017-2018). I’m leaving the Supreme Court makeup out of this discussion.

It’s time to step up to the plate! I think we could all live with a Democratically controlled government for even as long as four more years. It means a little mental belt-tightening, but Americans have always been able to sacrifice for the greater good. That greater good, in this case, meaning we regain our position at the head of the world table.

So what do you say? I’m not saying we all sit around and sing “Kumbaya.” I’m just suggesting we follow the guidelines laid down by our founding fathers, while at the same time, taking a close look at how they are being followed, to see if they can be made even more relevant to us in today’s world.

We have to agree to disagree — peacefully!