“I want us to be that shining beacon on a hill again: a country whose conduct gives people a reason to look toward it with hope.“
By Benjamin Groff II GroffMedia© | benandsteve.com | ©2026
November 11, 2026
In this space, we are all Caffeinates!
That’s right. While we sit and sip our morning brew, our official party color is Crayola Coffee Tan. If that isn’t in the box, somebody needs to get busy.
Our first order of business is deciding whether to do whatever we got up to do—or throw caution to the wind and go back to sleep.
I wrestle with that one myself.
I have an electric blanket keeping me just warm enough to doze off while writing these coffee pieces. Meanwhile, my ears are cold enough to suggest they have moved to another climate. The coffee and I are negotiating a settlement.
This morning, I am still channel surfing through election coverage. Somewhere, somebody is still counting votes, and somebody else is explaining why those votes should have gone differently.
Democrats have won control of both the House and Senate for the incoming Congress. The final numbers may take a little longer to settle, but the change in direction is clear.
Americans voted so blue last week, you might have thought they were electing a Democratic president and vice president, too. Neither office was on the ballot, although the occupants certainly figured into the conversation.
Now comes the part that matters: what the winners do with the responsibility voters have handed them.
I have talked about mudslinging during our earlier visits here. Growing up, I remember it being considered a poor reflection on the person slinging the mud. Carry on long enough, and folks might invite you to take your bucket somewhere else.
I suspect some voters extended that invitation this election.
Tell us what you can do for the people. Tell us how you intend to do it. Give us something we can examine beyond a frightening photograph of your opponent and a voice that sounds like it belongs in a haunted house.
If your entire argument for holding office is that somebody else is terrible, I still haven’t heard why you would be any good.
We have enough people blowing hot air. I live in Arizona. We meet our annual quota without assistance from Washington.
I cannot tell you how many votes those attack ads changed. But I can tell you they wore me out. Every commercial break seemed to bring another warning that civilization would end before supper if the wrong person won.
Well, supper came. So did the election.
Now the people elected to serve us need to get to work.
We do not need grand statues or buildings erected to celebrate somebody’s opinion of himself. A president can work on a library after leaving office. While in office, I would prefer he work on leaving the country in better shape.
I waited to discuss the results because I wanted a clearer picture. There may still be recounts, challenges, and races awaiting a final call. Those deserve patience and a fair process.
But I see the outcome of Tuesday, November 3, 2026, as a demand for accountability—and an opportunity to begin repairing some of what has divided us.
I hope people watching from other countries see that possibility, too.
Here in Arizona, we sent a message by rejecting Proposition 142 and its proposed restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion. To me, that vote says fairness in hiring, education, and opportunity still matters. We need to keep working to balance the scales of justice so that everyone gets a fair chance.
With roughly six in ten voters saying no, it wasn’t a whisper. It was a shout: “NO! We won’t turn our backs on inclusion.”
America is doing some housecleaning. The work will take longer than one election, and the people we just hired need to understand that we will be watching them, too.
I want us to be that shining beacon on a hill again: a country whose conduct gives people a reason to look toward it with hope.
For now, I will start by keeping the coffee warm and my eyes open.
Those newly elected folks have work to do.
And I still have to negotiate with this blanket.
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Well said. You’ll find that I never discuss politics in my blogs but I will say that I’m with you on the get to work…I don’t care who is in office as long as they are willing for everyone. Everyone.
That souls be willing to work for everyone.
Kiki, I understand your position perfectly. My approach is to keep things “political lite.” I sometimes walk right up to the line, but I try to leave a little room for humor—a way to release the tension someone might be carrying but can’t quite put into words. Sometimes people just need reassurance that the world isn’t ending and that life will keep turning.
I try to get back to our regular morning chats the next day. After an election, though, I may revisit the subject every few days while everyone settles down. With the constant news cycle, maybe—just maybe—it gives one or two people a place to find a little peace.
I don’t get complaints. Okay, maybe a few. But disagreement is healthy. One of my favorite sayings, which I came up with years ago, is, “Show me two people who agree on everything, and I’ll show you two liars.” I’ve used it in debates and public discussions, and it usually earns a laugh and lowers the temperature. It reminds us that we can disagree without making enemies of one another.
And look at us—I’ve managed to talk about politics without you actually interrupting and arguing back with me about politics! lol
Most of all, I hope (Ernie’s?) knee surgery went well. I’ve been waiting to hear how you’re all doing. Having recently given my own leg far too much attention, I’m ready for both of us to find something less orthopedic to talk about.
By the way, I’m off my knee scooter and now using an ankle brace and a cane. The doctor said he’d never seen a bone heal so beautifully. Magnificent healing. Possibly the finest healing in medical history. He wished he could break his own leg and ankle just to experience results like mine. Nobody else could have done it. Okay, maybe one other person.
My dry humor, unfortunately, appears to be a permanent condition.
Hi Kiki,
I am not a doctor. But I have written stories about doctors—and mad doctors—and have been treated by so many doctors and nurses that I’m practically eligible for an honorary doctorate in being a patient.
So, with those impressive credentials, please encourage Ernie to follow his surgical team’s instructions for preventing blood clots after his knee surgery: whatever medication they prescribed, the movement and exercises they approve, and compression stockings if they recommend them. If you’re unsure about aspirin, ask his surgeon before adding it.
My prescription for a handful of jelly beans, however, is strictly for morale. My medical license came out of the same bag.
And speaking of legwear, men’s leggings are called “meggings.” I have photos of myself wearing them. They aren’t medical compression stockings, but they may qualify as material for a story.
In fact, this email may already be the opening paragraph.
Seriously, I hope Ernie’s recovery goes smoothly. Thinking of you both—and dispensing affection without a license.
Ben
I just love your humor and our conversations. I’m sitting here smiling from ear to ear! I’m so happy you are doing great!!! You are the greatest healer of all time!
As for the politics – if we all thought the same, the world would be painfully vanilla and boring! We need differences and debates! Let it fly.
Ernie is doing ok. He’s moving around beautifully but getting a bit weepy. That will subside. The fear of him throwing a clot is real so I’m quite vigilant. They will send a nurse each day to check for clotting. Makes me feel better! The knee though is awesome. Totally bionic they said. I’m calling him the $6 million man! lol
Hugs!