Thanksgiving is a much cherished holiday for its role in connecting family and friends, its traditional foods, and its limited commercialism. Since the theme of the day is gratitude, it has a nonsectarian spiritual element that can promote hopefulness and a positive affect. This year it comes at a time when many remain disturbed about the recent election result and fearful of the coming inauguration. To help with your 2024 gratitude list, below are some elements of our history, government and laws for which we can all be thankful as Americans, regardless of who occupies the White House.
Let us give thanks for:
- The 22nd Amendment to the US constitution, ratified in 1951: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice”.
- The First Amendment to the US Constitution. It provides the strongest protections for freedom of expression in the world. It may have seemed a mixed blessing in 2024, as this freedom was abused to spread misinformation. But we can also cherish what is allows us to do: Criticize our nation’s leaders and hold them accountable.
- Checks and balances in the Federal government. The framers of the US Constitution knew that demagogues and persons of poor character would seek and occasionally win the presidency, and they planned a system to withstand this. One of the primary authors of the Constitution, James Madison, explained that “The constant aim is to divide and arrange the several offices in such a manner as that each may be a check on the other.”
- The system of Federalism: Divison of power between the federal government and the 50 states. States are free to enact laws that partially counter the excesses and failures of the federal government. States can be individual engines of innovation in an otherwise reactionary time.
- Setting aside disappointment, let’s give thanks to Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. On short notice, they took on a huge challenge with enthusiasm and energy, knowing all along their team was the “underdog.” They realized that since the essential quality of Trumpism is greivance and nihilism, its best antidote is Joy. So consider your blessings this holiday and allow joy to flow. Happy Thanksgiving!
