For those asking, what’s next?

That was the election that was jubilation for some, and desperation for others. That’s the way the past couple of decades of elections have seemed. I can remember the 1996 election (Clinton v. Dole) when voter turnout was at an all-time low. 1988 (Bush Sr. v. Dukakis) was also lackluster. People were not engaged. That didn’t seem to be the problem, yet it was for the Harris campaign, all campaign signs to the contrary. In the end, the votes just weren’t there.

A majority clearly spoke, and we accept it. One stark difference from four years ago is that the losing side was gracious, and conceded defeat. There was no cry of “foul,” but it doesn’t make losing feel any less disappointing, of course.

Polarization is the watchword of politics now, and the difference between the parties is stark. There’s so much hand wringing and Monday-morning-quarterbacking, and where does it get us? Is there a point in sounding alarms? Will it have an effect and to what purpose? It’s the tightest of ropes to walk. If someone says: “This is dangerous” who hears? Who cares? There’s been so much outcry about issues real and imagined that words of warning have lost their power.

What lies ahead? Will we be all right? “Sure!” say some. “Not at all,” moan others, but who can know?

Maybe there are signs to watch for, markers that reveal the victor’s intent, to judge just what that intent is. Will it be for the good of “we the people” or for the good of a few?

We’ll be all right if. . .

They don’t reduce Medicare.

They don’t reduce Social Security.

They don’t deport millions of immigrants.

They don’t remove non-partisan government workers.

They don’t install military leaders who spit on the Constitution.

They don’t silence the voices of opposing viewpoints.

They don’t overturn the Affordable Care Act.

We’ll be better off if. . .

They address climate change.

They respond to disasters with more than paper towel volleys.

They bring manufacturing to small-town America.

They boost education standards, particularly in social studies and reading.

They regard women as humans and not incubators for male privilege.

Those are the markers I’ll be looking for, to name a few.

Stay tuned.

Joan Zwagerman wants a robust middle class like the one she grew up in and doesn’t believe we need to go back to 1950 to achieve it.