It takes a lot this Thanksgiving to not focus on the bad things that are happening in the world. Pandemics, hurricanes, killer hornets and massive unemployment. So, we will open with just one political thought and that is how thankful we are for term limits. We wish there were many more of them.

Sure, the voters can always vote out a lousy elected official, but incumbents have such a huge advantage over new candidates. It is really hard to overcome the advantage, unless the position holder creates his own demise.

We are especially thankful for the term limits on the office of the governor of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It was way beyond disgusting to listen to his flimsy excuses for taking one last and possibly fateful shot at the restaurant and bar industry with his banning the sale of alcohol with two days’ notice.

He not only stole from the livelihood of all the owners and workers in that industry, but he also pushed the revenue they desperately needed into the state-owned liquor store system instead.

Now, the state will benefit from consumers being forced to buy from his state controlled establishments instead of from the struggling friends and neighbors we wish we were able to help. His intent is clear that he wants to destroy that industry once and for all. Thankfully, he cannot legally run for another term.

We are thankful this Thanksgiving for our health care providers at all levels. Maybe the commitment of the staff and administration through the pandemic will bring more people to see and understand how special having a locally owned hospital is. Like locally grown vegetables, the top officials at BHS bring more strength and vitality to our community and a true sense of caring.

We encourage more residents and businesses to do as we at the Eagle are doing today and provide a meal or a snack to the staff at BHS and show them some local love and appreciation in return for all they do for us.

We are thankful for the school district administrators and school board volunteers who have commandeered the students through these rough waters and the teachers who keep the boats afloat as did the pilgrims crossing the choppy seas to get here 400 years ago. Never could we have imagined another profession having to endure such a sudden and severe change in the daily way of doing their work.

We are thankful for people brave enough to have their name placed into the fray for elected positions. Doing so makes you a target for attacks that go well beyond criticism and often for less money than they could make in the private sector.

We are thankful for the business that have placed people above profit today and given workers and customers a chance to relax and be able to think about the many reasons to be thankful even in 2020.

We are thankful that there are only six weeks left in 2020.

We are thankful for a fresh start in government. Nearly 50% of the country did not get the results they wanted at the polls. But that is the same as what the other side experienced four years ago.

Those of us who have lived 40 years or more have experienced many different styles and agendas for presidents. And we have all survived even when our party didn’t have control.

Be thankful that we live in a nation where change is possible and changing back is as well. It is hard to imagine a time when working together has ever been more important than it is today.

There is much reason for bitterness and distrust between political opponents. Neither side has been gracious to the other and mending those wounds won’t be easy.

But you know there are nations in the world where the losers are executed after failed election efforts. The United States isn’t one of those places. We agree to disagree and move on to the next election opportunity. That is something to be both hopeful about and thankful for in 2020.

And personally, we are thankful for the 80 or so journalists, pressmen, photographers, office staff, drivers and carriers who bring you our local news everyday. We are survivors in an industry that grows tougher every day. We thank all of them and we thank all of you for being readers and supporters. Happy Thanksgiving.

— RV