I personally like the elections in France a whole lot better than in the U.S. We have reasonable and strict campaign finance laws (nothing as insane as Citizens United), strict spending ceilings and generous government subsidizing. No forms of paid commercial advertisements by candidates are allowed for the three months preceding an election….there are a small number of candidate ‘statements’ under strict rules on time and editing with equal time given to all candidates during the 5 weeks before the election. With those kinds of election laws and others we don’t have the kinds of constant skillfully managed negative political advertising messages that I see in this U.S. election…..and the less civil attitudes and less compassion towards others as a consequence.

Personally I find volunteering in ways to help others in my community helps in keeping all the political acrimony at bay and giving myself positive purpose.

….and yes as with others posting also going for a pleasant or hard in the moment bike ride