Some claim that the Russians helped Trump win the 2016 election. Perhaps...but that wasn't likely their intent with the multitude of lies and conspiracy theories with which they showered social media. Their intent was to cause Americans to doubt the validity of their own system of government, to believe that our elections (like theirs and those in other oligarchies) were rigged. With the help of Trump and his followers, they succeeded well beyond their expectations.

I won't spend much time responding to the ridiculous editorial published by the Lincoln Herald with a caption 'Traditionalism' and a headline 'Vote Republican.' It began with a telling opening statement: "Something evil is afoot in this country." Later in this asinine diatribe, it calls Democrats "a bunch of America-hating freaks."

The Russians have succeeded: we are a nation divided; and to quote a Republican President (Lincoln) "A house divided against itself cannot stand."

I'm not going to suggest that you vote Democrat in response to that piece of trash editorial. I still believe in democracy. Contrary to the assertion also contained in that piece that the 2020 election was actually won by Trump (the Big Lie), I believe the election--the most scrutinized in American history--produced a victory for Joe Biden and a lot of Democrats running for Congress or the Senate. Except for a very few races, North Carolina's 2020 election was largely a Republican victory.

In truth, most people in 2020 didn't vote FOR Joe Biden; they voted AGAINST Donald Trump--and the same kind of vote--against Biden this time--is likely to color the 2022 election. Most of those who will vote Republican will mark any name with an R beside it. The same kind of party loyalty worked the other way years ago when the Democrats were in power in our state and county.

I am bothered that party affiliation has become a deciding factor. I remember when most Republicans said proudly, "I vote for the man, not the party." [Candidates in those days were almost exclusively men. I remember when Katy Cooper was elected to the Lincoln County School Board; she was one of the first women and the first Republican on that body. She was the pioneer who got the East Lincoln Betterment Association started; and she was a good School Board member.]

I remarked editorially that I was very disappointed when the GOP party leadership under Fred Jarrett pushed for and achieved making our School Board races partisan. If there's any elected body that doesn't need to be partisan, it's the Board of Education. The change essentially eliminated the possibility of any unaffiliated voter running for the board--they'd have to get a couple of thousand signatures on a petition just to get their names on the ballot.

Recently, GOP leadership criticized Republican candidate Krista Heavner, who is unopposed in next week's election for the district five seat, because she was helping her friend Linda Wolfe. Wolfe is a Democrat, seeking the district two seat against Jarrett.

Board member (and candidate) Tony Jenkins told another former School Board member, "vote for me and Fred, but not for Krista Heavner."

Party has become much too important.

We didn't do any 'Meet the Candidates' event for the Fall election this year. Neither did the East Lincoln Betterment Association. Most of the Lincoln County ballot has only Republican candidates; and we've learned from experience that 'Meet the Candidates' events are attended mostly by people who have already decided for whom they'll vote.

There is, of course, a contest for the US Senate [there are actually four candidates: Democrat Cheri Beasley, Republican Ted Budd, Green Party candidate Matthew Hoh and Libertarian Shannon Bray] and Patrick McHenry has an opponent for the seat in Congress he's held since 2002, but his opponent (Pam Genant of Valdese) isn't given much chance of winning.

There are two seats on the NC Supreme Court up for election: Republican Richard Dietz and Democrat Lucy Inman are seeking seat 3; Democrat Sam Ervin IV and Republican Trey Allen are seeking seat 5. There are also races for four seats on the NC Court of Appeals: Republican Julee Tate Flood vs Democrat Carolyn Jennings Thompson for seat 8; Democrat Brad Salmon vs Republican Donna Stroud for seat 9; Republican John Tyson vs Democrat Gale Murray Adams for seat 10; and DEmocrat Darren Jackson vs Republican Michael Stading for seat 11.

For Lincoln County Board of Education, there are races for one at-large seat: Tony Jenkins (GOP) vs Keith Poston (Dem); and district 2: Fred Jarrett (GOP) vs Linda Wolfe (Dem).

Two seats on the Lincolnton City Council are up for election. If you live in the city, you can vote for Marty Eaddy (Dem) or Jill Tipton (GOP) for the ward 3 seat; and for Mary Frances White (Dem) or Kevin Demeny (GOP) for the ward 1 seat.

In a non-partisan election, voters will choose two members of the Soil & Water Conservation District Board. The incumbents are Leonard Keever and Terry Turbyfill. The other candidates are Sean Nesbit and Randy Putnam. We called messrs. Nesbit & Putnam and sent them emails asking about why they chose to oppose the two incumbents, but we've had no response so far.

We have our differences. Some of us will vote for losing candidates; others will mark their ballots for the winners. Someone is going to be disappointed. Whichever party prevails in the Congressional and Senate elections will likely make some decisions that those who voted against them won't like. America has survived almost 250 years. At times, animosity put our nation at risk. We even fought a Civil War--to this day our bloodiest conflict ever, costing over a half million lives. We must disappoint Vladimir Putin, the Chinese Communists, and others who would like to see us self-destruct.

Perhaps I am foolish, but I believe we will. Yes, we can!