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One of the great freedoms we enjoy as Americans is the right to disagree with our politicians. If you need a reminder, all you have to do is ask the last three men who have served as our president -- Donald Trump, Barack Obama and George W. Bush.
And, while your perception of whoever the current occupant of the White House is at any given time is certainly determined by where you fall on the political spectrum, we ask that you take a moment to reflect on the presidency itself.
That's especially appropriate because today is Presidents Day.
It should be a chance to reflect, to honor and to give thanks. It should be an opportunity to remember that while our president changes every four or eight years, our democracy continues to set a standard that is the envy of the rest of the world. The office itself serves as testament to the peaceful transfer of power and to the symbol of leadership that resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C.
The holiday is the combination of days that originally had been set aside to honor Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, but has become much more -- it's a chance to remember each of the individuals who has held the office, and the sacrifices they and their families have been willing to make to ensure our country's institutions continue to function in an orderly manner.
That's something that we all too easily take for granted, especially in an age when constant criticism has become the norm. And, remember that while the concerns we have about the president and everyone in Congress are filtered through the political prism, we're all to blame for the current rancor that emanates from Washington -- whether we are conservative or liberal; Republican, Democrat, a member of another party or an independent; whether we live in a red state or a blue state -- everyone has a responsibility to be civil and respectful to one another.
There should be no place for name-calling and other childish acts from the men and women we have chosen to represent us and, even more important, from each of us.
The saving grace is that we all are in a position to help change the way we interact with each other, and along the way remember that despite what some might think, the office of the presidency has great power and respect, and is the first place the rest of the world turns to in times of crisis.
In a little less than nine months, we will have the opportunity to choose the person who will live in the White House for the next four years. The reality is the road to election day, Nov. 3, will be rocky but the process will -- indeed it must -- serve a reminder that our system, however flawed, continues to work.
That's the lesson we hope everyone learns today.