OP-ED: Moving Forward From the Election

Submitted by the office of State Rep. Michael Day

Thank you for your overwhelming support and your votes on Election Day.

I am honored to now be preparing for my second term as your State Representative while I continue with the important work we began together during my first. Improving our mental health services and coverage, changing the way we address substance use disorder, and increasing prevention and recovery resources and programs will continue to be a primary focus for me in my second term. I will also continue fighting to improve our educational system by equipping it to better prepare our population for the challenges and opportunities of an evolving global marketplace. I am excited to continue this hard but rewarding work, to learn from the experiences I had during my first term in office, and to become a better State Representative for all of our residents.

I am proud that this district spoke loudly in rejecting some of the uglier and more intolerant rhetoric pumped into our mailboxes and social media streams by extreme groups located outside of Stoneham and Winchester. I am saddened that our nation, as a whole, did not. The campaigns waged on the national level were marked by divisive speech and sentiment. Too often, both sides sought to capitalize on the varied fears and prejudices we all harbor rather than seeking to unite us behind our shared values. Secretary Clinton too often resorted to alarmist words devoted to criticizing her opponent’s shortcomings instead of highlighting her plans and hopes for her would-be Administration, and she failed to connect with enough voters because of it. President-Elect Trump employed and often encouraged racist and misogynistic speech and actions, and he floated proposals that are antithetical to our country’s greatest traditions.

Previously successful Presidential campaigns – whether the candidate was Republican or Democrat -- united seemingly disparate groups into a coalition capable of realizing a distinct vision for the future. In the wake of this election, however, we are left with more questions than answers.

For my part, I view the consternation felt by so many in our communities as an opportunity. Our Commonwealth and our Country are founded on the principles of equality, inclusion, and diversity of both background and thought. We as Americans have reaffirmed those principles every time we have faced adversity, whether that adversity came in the shape of armed conflict, economic turmoil, or attempts to codify unequal treatment under law. No matter what the challenge, we have always risen to the occasion by stepping forward to defend our values and hold ourselves and our neighbors and friends accountable for our words and actions.

We will undoubtedly have the chance to re-affirm our values in concrete ways in the coming months and years, and I am honored that you have given me the opportunity to remain in office to represent and fight for the values of Stoneham and Winchester for another term. Thank you.