In this republic, we struggle, we engage, and we learn to live and move together. This is one reason why I’ve always advocated for going door to door: Candidates must talk to people and listen to both their joy and pain.

I repeat: These are people. They may be people with whom we disagree, but as long as we are here on this pale blue dot, we can never be free of our fellow man.

Frederick is in election season. We can only continue to build the project of our great republic in its 250th anniversary year by reinvesting in respect and engagement as critical principles.