By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. Nov 3, 2026)
Agree to Disagree Agreeably
EL DORADO COUNTY, CA As happy as I am when election season rolls around, I am even happier when it finally comes to an end! I think Hunter S. Thompson did some of his best work out on the campaign trail. After all, there is no shortage of characters, drama, unexpected plot twists, and enough material to keep a writer busy for a lifetime. And no shortage of fear and loathing!
Just a couple of hours from now, I can begin de-emphasizing the political stories, pick up the campaign signs, put away the political ammunition, and maybe stop losing a few friends along the way. LOL.
I’m the kind of guy who believes that disagreeing about the best way to run our government does not determine the worth of a man. Unfortunately, I have learned that not every partisan sees it that way. Apparently, some friendships come with a political loyalty clause. Mine don’t.
The best of times? Attending victory parties when your candidate wins.
The worst of times? Attending victory parties when your candidate doesn’t. There’s something uniquely uncomfortable about celebrating a loss with a room full of people who are trying very hard to look happy.
Politics or business, I have a simple rule: I stay happy until the platters of shrimp stop coming out. That’s when I know it’s time to retire from the “Party.” There is wisdom in knowing when the buffet has closed and when it’s time to go home.
And so the political cycle continues, much like the cycle of life itself.
The voting ends. Then comes the waiting. The results arrive, followed by cheers, tears, congratulations, and a few explanations about how things might have turned out differently. Next comes the autopsy: what worked, what didn’t, who got it right, who got it wrong, and why everyone seems to have known the answer all along.
Then come the swearing-in ceremonies, the new officeholders, the promises, the challenges, and the business of governing.
And somewhere along the way, someone starts talking about the next election.
The campaign signs go into storage, the campaign buttons find their way into a drawer, and the political warriors return to their respective corners. At least until the next round begins.
That’s the funny thing about politics. We spend months arguing about who should lead us, only to discover that the business of governing doesn’t end when the campaign does. It simply changes cast members.
Much like life, politics has its seasons. There are beginnings, endings, victories, disappointments, lessons learned, and opportunities to do it all over again. The faces change, the slogans change, and the signs change, but the cycle goes on.
So, here’s to everyone who ran, volunteered, knocked on doors, put up signs, made phone calls, wrote articles, defended their positions, and participated in the process.
And here’s to those who disagreed with us but remained our friends. You are worth holding on to.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have campaign signs to pick up, political stories to put to bed, and possibly a shrimp platter to investigate.
Cheers to you in all your endeavors. Until the next election season, may we remember that we’re neighbors, friends, and fellow human beings long after the yard signs come down.
