Some thoughts on the 2016 election

Listen. Seek first to understand. Do not assume malice, or stupidity, or even ignorance, but start from an assumption that those you disagree with (even vehemently) are rational and intelligent, but may have good reasons for seeing things differently from you. Dismissing people out of hand will persuade no one. We have had too much of that on all sides - it creates rancor, and hardens people's political positions. That helps none of us.

We live in a large and incredibly diverse and now divided country. There are not just two Americas, there are many. Government should therefore be as local as possible, otherwise politics becomes a cage match to determine whose views will control everything. Federalism is a historically-validated way to allow for a diverse and yet civil and functioning polity.

The presidency has accumulated far too much power, and so presidential elections take on apocalyptic dimensions (on all sides). Don't think about what your choice would do with the power, think about what the other guy's choice would do with it. And then limit the power inherent in the office to reasonable proportions.

Supreme Court appointments have become a significantly distorting element in our presidential elections. One's choice of president should not hinge primarily on who he or she will appoint. Reform of the system is clearly needed. One reasonable suggestion is 18-year terms, ensuring that each president has a predictable number of appointments. There are other ideas, but something must be done. A president is more than a justice-appointer.

All of us, at this time, should take great care with what we say, whether out of pain and fear, or out of relief and joy. Let us all try to contribute to an atmosphere of reconciliation, of improved understanding of each other, and of rebuilding a political culture in which we need not agree but can work together.