To the Editor:

To reflect on John McCain’s legacy is to consider the meaning of one of our nation’s motto, “E Pluribus Unum.” Way more than about many people forming one nation, this motto — probably our nation’s first — reflects on the original 13 colonies, the leaders of which, though sharply divided about certain topics, knew that there was something far more important than their disagreements.

It was their common love of liberty that bound them together so closely as to go to war against tyranny. This bond united them so completely as to overwhelm all of their discord, differences and divisions otherwise.

Considering that we may be under siege from within by the insidious new tyranny Jefferson cautioned us about, we should not just laude but emulate the example of John McCain with assertive but civil discourse that is ever-focused on a uniting of our efforts in our national best interests.

Such discourse must also be rooted in intelligent, reasonable, foresightful thought and verifiable evidence rather than the reactionary fear, anger and resentment that is constantly promoted and kindled by those who want to “divide and conquer” (control) us via half-truths, spin-doctoring, irrelevant distractions and stories that only appeal to our worst instincts and biases.

We must stop the destructive, divisive dissension amongst ourselves and realize that instead we are E Pluribus Unum.

Howie Soucek
Franklin