A lot of people were whining the day after the election, because their candidate for president didn’t win. It’s OK to whine; some people think they’ve earned the right to whine by voting. But some folks have gone too far.
Talk about moving to Canada? Fine, don’t let the gate hit your behind as you scurry through the border crossing. For those who like making the threat but are too lazy to move, there’s the secession petition. Thousands of people from all 50 states have signed a petition for their states to secede from the United States. That’s just offensive.
As an American, you have a right to be offensive. (Are secessionists still Americans?) You can say, “He’s not my president,” as people from both parties have said of the last several elections.
Most folks just laugh at this sophomoric behavior. There’s even a counter-petition to “Deport Everyone That Signed A Petition To Withdraw Their State From The United States Of America.”
There’s nothing humorous about petitioning to not be part of our nation, however. The Kansas motto is Ad Astra per Aspera: To the stars with Difficulty.” In the Civil War era – when states really did secede from the Union, we were Bloody Kansas. Is that what these petition signers want to see — blood in the streets?
Republicans should listen to their own party leaders and drop this bad joke. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback doesn’t support it, and neither does Texas Gov. Rick Perry. “Kansas is and will always remain a state in the United States of America,” Brownback said, in response to that fact that 6,800 Kansans and counting have signed a petition.
Consider these wise post-election words, from Gov. Mitt Romney: “The nation as you know is at a critical point. At a time like this we can’t risk partisan bickering and political posturing. Our leaders have to reach across the aisle to do the people’s work. We look to Democrats and Republicans at all levels to put the people before the politics.” The words are from Romney’s concession speech. He went on to say, “This election is over but our principles endure. I believe the principals upon which the nation was founded are the only sure guide to a resurgent economy and to greatness.”
Not your president? Here’s what Romney said on Nov. 6: “I have just called President Obama to congratulate him on his victory. His supporters and his campaign also deserve congratulations. I wish all of them well, but particularly the president, the first lady and their daughters. This is a time of great challenges for America, and I pray that the president will be successful in guiding our nation.”
That is a prayer all who are part of America and love their country might want to pray.

Susan Thacker