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Dori: Elections, government should not be your source of happiness

Nov 8, 2016, 3:38 PM | Updated: 5:07 pm

Tuesday night will be a source of happiness for some, but for everybody else their head is going to explode. Then, Wednesday, 60 percent of the country will be horribly depressed, no matter who wins the presidential election. Shortly thereafter, everybody will settle into the tedium of everyday life once again.

This is my sixth presidential Election Day as a talk show host, though I’ve seen many more than that in my 55 years of life. Still, none of this circus makes any sense to me.

Follow MyNorthwest, KIRO Radio on Election Day for live results, analysis

People get horribly depressed or outrageously joyful on this day, as if political outcomes are a source of happiness — and it’s simply ridiculous. You have assigned way too much of your happiness or misery over something you have very little control over.

I understand being passionate, and I think that’s cool. But as far as true, sincere happiness, if that is dependent on the benevolence of government, then your happiness can be taken away in a snap by that same government. If you believe your misery, your lot in life, is government, then buck up and start handling life yourself. Stop relying on other people to provide for you. Stop relying on other people to be your source of contentment.

I can’t remember any time something political made me giddy with joy. What a silly way to live: To rely on the whims of voters filling in a bubble on a ballot. And, conversely, people who are miserable and are ready to leave the country, that’s pathetic. It’s still a great country.

I truly, sincerely, with every fiber of my being, hope that whoever wins, reaches out to the other side of the aisle. I think it would be great to see this country start to come together a little bit . But, most importantly, if the ballots don’t fall your way: Big deal.

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Dori: Elections, government should not be your source of happiness