The Wizard of OZ told Dorothy to “pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” But, pulling back the curtain on the 2020 presidential election unveiled a disturbing reflection. It exposed a nation divided. It wasn’t the slam dunk, win by two touchdowns, landslide referendum between good and evil that we were hoping for. Instead, the 145 million votes cast (the most in US history), were split with the motives on each side unmasking who we are.

Almost half didn’t care about the failed Covid-19 response; the 9,809,691 infections and 239,354 deaths were meaningless. The 13 million without jobs, social unrest and violence in the streets didn’t matter. They still wanted to re-elect a racist incompetent to four more years of reckless divisiveness and dishonesty. “Saving the Soul of America” held no importance. A sad revelation of current American values.

 But the other half chose decency, empathy and respect. They chose decades of public service experience, leadership and integrity. They chose leaders that they trust to heal the planet and unite us as one nation under God. And finally, they chose a government of hope that will improve the lives of 330 million Americans and guide the country’s legacy back to the right side of history.

So maybe the election WAS a referendum between good and evil after all. Our voices are divided, and clearly there is a lot of reconciliation work ahead. But the democratic principles infused by the Founding Fathers are inherent. Where “we the people” have the power and the final say, with OZ the Great and Powerful notwithstanding.  We’ve chosen to take the critical first steps to turn the page and awaken from a 4-year reality TV national nightmare.

God Bless America, there’s no place like home!