If the College Democrats at the University of Virginia truly believed Obama wants to unite Americans and bring people of all kinds together, they probably would not have behaved like spoiled brats on election night.

But that’s exactly what they did. In the minds of those liberal students, civility is a one sided issue.

Peter Finocchio of The Virginia Advocate reports.

Winning with Dignity and Losing with Grace: A Lesson in Civility for Students of Politics

Tuesday’s election results brought happiness to some, disappointment to others. Undoubtedly elections and campaigns are a divisive time for Americans as people equally passionate about their values and principles contend for who will be the face of their country for the next four years.

On Tuesday night, our College Republicans gathered at Trinity for what we had hoped would be a victory party but was not. Within five minutes of the election being called for President Obama, a number of students, presumably Democrats, infiltrated our election party chanting “Obama!” and “Four more years!,” and accusing the College Republicans who were present of being bigots for not supporting the President. On my way out from our election party, I was mocked by several individuals because I was wearing a Romney Ryan campaign pin. One girl jeered at me in laughter, “Haha! Romney Ryan I don’t think so! Maybe next time!”

The aftermath of an election should be a time wherein we heal our divisions, not deepen them with mockery. President Obama and Governor Romney showed us how to win with dignity and lose with grace. These used to be our national values. The election is over. If your candidate won, don’t mock the “losers.” There are no real losers, both Republicans and Democrats, especially their student auxiliaries here at the University of Virginia, gave it their all and fought for what they believe in. Likewise, if your candidate lost, don’t moan hyperbolically as if the future is over and all is lost. You’ll have another chance in four years.

As President Kennedy once said, “may the day never come when the things that divide us seem more important than the things that unite us.” As candidate Obama said four years ago, let us show we are not as divided as our politics suggest. Indeed our similarities are far greater than our differences. We all abide by the rules of the democratic game and respect the legitimacy of the electoral winner’s right to rule. This may seem trivial, but in still many countries contested “elections” are settled with force and arms or repression.

Although we believe that different policies are best for our citizens, we all want to do what is best for our citizens. While other national borders are drawn along racial, ethnic, or tribal lines, our borders have always been defined by something that transcends superficial divisions, for we are united by a common principle: the freedom and dignity of man. In a few weeks we will celebrate Thanksgiving. Even if “our guy” lost the election, let us enter the holiday season truly thankful for all we still have as Americans.


 
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