Lakeville Journal Editorial

American society has changed dramatically since the time that the public school structure was first created.

This is the time of year that makes us think about the things and the people in our lives for which we are grateful. We all have our problems, but we all have our blessings as well, and this has been the time to consider the balance between the two.

Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for many of us: It’s about making or buying some favorite foods, sharing them with family and friends and maybe catching some football in between sittings. (Shopping of any kind must be kept at bay until the day after, Black Friday, when for many the gift-buying kicks in and takes over the rest of the month.

Now that the midterm elections have wrapped, at least in Connecticut and New York, it’s time for all those elected to think about governing. Sounds so simple, but it’s really not, is it? Especially in the current divided climate, it will take deep thought and commitment to public service to be effective in office now.

Perhaps one of the rarest traits to survive the years of societal change due to the worldwide pandemic is empathy. Seems ironic, doesn’t it?

Until last year, for every election cycle in the life of this newspaper, there has by now been an endorsement editorial in this space. We have always welcomed the letters to the editor relating to election preferences, and this year those continue unrestricted.

When a controversy erupts in any area, there are often groups formed that react to it with alternative solutions or simple opposition. They operate with varying degrees of effectiveness. Those affected by such open discussion in a community can only hope that out of engagement might come a better outcome.

There are some reading this who have experienced violence in their homes in the past year. For some of us, it may have been the first time such ugly and unwelcome treatment surfaced in what should be a place of refuge.