Sean Rego ‘26
Opinions Editor
I remember in my earliest years of my public school education, we would sing patriotic songs in the mornings, following the pledge of allegiance. I didn’t think much of it as a child, nor did I ever notice the quiet phase out of the practice, but it is something which has been on my mind as of late, as we near this consequential election. My favorite song was “This Land is Your Land,” as it instilled the simple lesson that the United States of America was a nation of many people who share land, values and livelihoods. Despite this message, I am sure none of us has been spared from the unending onslaught of politics that have pushed American democracy to the brink. For the last few cycles, our media and authorities have told us to fear the opposition, to an extent that makes me anxious about this miraculous nation. Fundamentally, we must overcome these fabricated dangers, see through the rhetoric of both sides, and remember that together, America can prevail, no matter her leader.
When my parents came to this country, my father from Portugal in 1980 and my mother from Latvia in 1997, democracy was still a relatively new idea in their minds. Their childhoods were not under liberty, rather the rule of nationalist juntas or the horror of late-stage communism, but America sparked opportunity unparalleled and with it, came liberty. To be born into a free society, it is something that cannot be neglected and must be appreciated for its immense gravity. Last Friday, I attempted to remind myself of this while voting in my town hall. These reminiscences are why I take honor in being American and being part of this grand civilization.
I refuse to believe that half of the country is evil. I turn away from the idea that my preferred candidate’s loss in the upcoming election will be the death of America, if not for the fact that we’ve been told the same rhetoric for a decade, then because I believe America is more than her elections and is stronger than the populist waves of the extremes. Furthermore, we can look to our questionable politicians to see whether they actually believe such nihilist and dramatic ideas.
Take the Al Smith dinner for example, where we see politicians from both sides of the aisle sit down and enjoy (or at least tolerate) each other’s company. In the most recent enactment of it, we saw republican candidate Donald Trump standing right next to a seated Chuck Schumer, the former making jokes to which the latter was laughing. Likewise, we saw democratic candidate Kamala Harris extend her hand out in solidarity with Donald Trump during the 9/11 remembrance service. Tell me, in both of these incidents, would these political rivals go out of their way to act so cordially with one another if they really believed that their opponent was Hitler or Stalin reincarnate?
Another example that I can’t forget was also on September 11th, when President Joe Biden donned a MAGA hat at the behest of a Trump supporter, even smiling for the photographs in what became quite a humorous moment. Again, does this look like an act that would occur if America were really on the brink of collapse or destruction? No, these are acts of politicians who recognize that their rhetoric is nothing more than their political talking points.
I only wish that those talking points weren’t so addictive and emotive. From Trump’s claim of America’s “enemy from within” to Joe Biden’s speech of “democracy vs Trump” to even things like Kamala Harris’s go-to line of “you’re at the wrong rally” are all divisive and meaningfully supposed to isolate Americans from one another. The amount of times I’ve heard ordinary citizens repeat and vamp up these dividing words is frightening.
Don’t get me wrong, there is division in our country, and even danger to our nation from within and without. We only need to look at the immense and painful riots of the last election cycle (from both sides) and assassination attempts against political figures to see growing peril. It is not uncommon for me to overhear politically charged comments mimicking these horrible events too. Yet this all has doubtlessly been thanks to the immoral decision of our politicians and media of tearing open wounds and exploiting the tiniest of differences.
Throughout my day, I talk to a variety of people, ranging all over the political spectrum, but seldom do those divides need to come in the way of our relationships (ie, my stance on our capitalist economic system or the new legislation on national microchip production shouldn’t determine whether or not I can serve you a cup of coffee at Starbucks). Even if you do talk about politics, we must strive to hear and understand, to respectfully disagree when necessary, or to walk away when prudent. Whether at Holy Cross or in our country of 300 million people, we’re all in this together and gotta be able to tolerate differences and respect boundaries.
I say all of this to heed one piece of advice this election cycle; don’t let its outcome determine whether or not you are proud to be American or to tolerate your fellow man. Don’t lose faith in this country that easily, as I can assure you, we aren’t the first generation to taste the bitterness of electoral loss or savor the joy of victory. The founding fathers did not include democratic elections into America’s constitution to ensure that we are all happy, but to cement our liberty and choice in building this country and to encourage a dialogue. It’s our job to see through the blurred lens of modern politics and to those ancient values of this free civilization.
When I voted last week, I doubtlessly had my own biases and preferred candidate, all of which I’m sure many would criticize. However, more than our president, we must care about this country, about this land, which is made for you and me. It’s this tacit agreement that has carried this nation through dark times and great glories. America will prevail, whatever the electoral outcome may be, as long as she holds her values and unity dearly, arm and arm with the fellow free nations of the world.
To everyone who ends up voting– do it not out of fear, anxiety, or sheer excitement, but in solidarity with your fellow American, determination to work together, and with a prayer of creating that more perfect Union. God bless America!
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Copy Edited by Sophia Mariani ’26
Web Edited by Zexuan Qu ’28
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