Editor,

We are nearing the age of senior citizenship.

As with many Americans our age, the events of the last few years have given us great pause. True, there has been no single traumatic event, no war, no economic depression.

Perhaps worse, however, we are losing our soul as a nation.

Whatever our position relative to the election of Donald Trump, it is clear at this point that his inability to work in the best interest of this country will bring about his departure from the office of President.

We know that there will be challenging times ahead as we work through that process; we have no illusions about that. What we also believe, however, is that there will be a great opportunity to start a slow process of healing.

The first step in this healing will be the transition to President Pence. We see Mr. Pence as a stable person who will work daily toward the betterment of this country.

We believe that the next step is just as important in the near term, and definitely more important in the long term.

That is, readopting one of the core principles of this nation. Our family half jokingly calls it “radical moderation.”

Radical moderates believe that the fringe, be they on the right or the left, should be placed back on the fringes of our political process.

Similarly, we believe that, while we have strongly held beliefs, our neighbors also have strong beliefs that may not necessarily align with ours.

To get along, we must talk and reach an accommodation that works for the best interest of the whole.

Lastly, and this is where that radical part comes in, we moderates can no longer justify being shoulder-shrugging, good citizens going about our daily lives. Moderation, including active rejection of the fringe, and re-elevation of compromise to a respected art, is essential to our national healing.

We hope that others believe as we do, and that this may in some small way help regain the soul of America.

Greg and Barbara Cane

Oak Harbor