Where do we -- all Americans -- go from here?

I am a registered Republican with Conservative/Libertarian beliefs.

If that makes me a gay-hating, misogynist, racist who only wants to reward the rich, than I guess you can stop reading.

If you do, that says more about you than it does me.

I think people that know me personally would describe me differently – at least I hope so.

If, however, you want to have real discussions about serious issues, then I’m all ears (with some mouth).

The country basically voted 50-50. The Democrats rule the Presidency and the Senate, the Republicans run House of Representatives.

The only mandate appears to be this: Work together!

Very few things in life today are black and white. The world is more complicated than ever, and the U.S. continues to change ethnically, socially, religiously and politically.

I am very thankful for the family, role models and education I’ve had – I know not everyone has been as fortunate, and their opinions are no less important than mine.

Government certainly has a role to play in all our lives, and certain people need the support of certain programs.

The Declaration of Independence includes the line: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Note the inclusion of the word pursuit. Thomas Jefferson understood attaining happiness takes some work.

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, The Land of Immigrants welcomed many people, mostly from Europe.  The new citizens had their disagreements – as evidenced by Democrats and Republicans both gaining national control at different times -- but generally speaking, they shared beliefs when it came to faith, freedom, liberty and hard work.

The modern immigrants come from all over the world. Many are from Central and South America, which has contributed to the growth explosion of Latinos.

I’ve heard people say our desires are the same – peace, liberty and prosperity for all – we just disagree how to get there.

Hopefully, that’s true. I just pray that immigrants who come from poor and struggling countries don’t accept American mediocrity because it’s better than that from where they came.

America can be so much.

The immigrants in the late-19th and early-20th Centuries were motivated to build a better life here. I, for one, am thankful for that.

Are modern immigrants as motivated? Some are, but others seem to want things handed to them -- and they are not alone.

Nearly 20 years ago, I went from being a New York City sportswriter who had been on national TV to an unemployed person who pumped gas to earn some cash. It was humbling and evaporated my self-esteem, but I did what I had to do to pay bills.

I'd like to think everyone would have done the same, though I'm often guilty of trying to see the good in all people.

As for those whose families have been here for generations, the world and country of 50-100 years ago is gone. Is some ways that’s good (easy communication, modern technology), in other ways, that’s scary (terrorism).

Again, we need to start discussing topics in a respectful, serious nature.

For example, the idea of drug testing for welfare recipients sounds like a no brainer to me on the surface. Of course we should.

But …

Will that stop such people from doing drugs? Unlikely. There’s a better chance of these people finding money elsewhere through crime and shadiness.

We’re in debt to China. Think the Communists there will let us off the hook like we would?

Iran might get a nuclear bomb. Assuming you think Iran’s president is not a terrorist, how long will it be before a terrorist organization gets its hands on that bomb?

Many people talk about how we have to leave the world a better place for our children and our children’s children. Unfortunately, people on all sides of the political spectrum often talk nobly but act selfishly.

We also need to understand all media is slanted in one fashion or another. The most obvious examples are MSNBC (on which Chris Matthews said he was glad for Hurricane Sandy because it benefitted  Obama) and Fox, but all media outlets should be viewed with skepticism.

Just the fact a network or newspaper decides what is news and what is not news leaves us at their mercy,

Obviously, this year’s election prompted many of us to expose our beliefs more than normal. The results mean some people are thrilled today and others are distraught.

We all should be concerned.

We all should be hopeful the political parties work together the next two years to tackle some serious issues.

We also should have faith in democracy, where people are free to exchange beliefs and opinions without fear.

“Exchanging” means discussing – not labeling those who might not share our beliefs, and not relying on 30-second TV spots as if they some up an issue and a person’s stance.

Opposing sides staring each other down can’t work. People need to compromise and come together.

At least it would be a start.