Regardless of who wins next Tuesday, the sun will rise next Wednesday. The Earth will keep spinning. Schools will welcome their students. Businesses will open their doors. Life will be much the same as it was the day before.

America has persevered through two and a half centuries, and it is too great to let one four-year presidency tear it apart.

We say this because we believe in America. We believe in the systems of this government, in the checks and balances written into its foundation by those who created it. We believe our elections are valid and fair. We believe America eventually finds its way forward in a positive direction.

Having said that, we do not believe another Donald Trump presidency would be good for America and our democracy. The culture created by and surrounding the former president is toxic and unhealthy for the nation. He spreads fear and mistrust. He insults, threatens, accuses and undermines. His tactics are at times ugly, and they are frequently divisive.

Through a four-year presidency and now three national campaigns for the presidency, he has helped foment a polarized, extremist nation, and the extremism extends in both directions. The extreme left — paranoid and angry — can be just as harmful as the threatening, disruptive culture on the extreme right.

For the record, we wholeheartedly endorse Kamala Harris to be the next president, even as we respect those who feel differently. The reality is that the vast majority of Americans have made their choice, and a great many of them have already submitted their ballots. The outcome in this election will be decided far from the East Bay of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. It will be decided by a very small percentage of voters in one or two of the several swing states.

Yet regardless of the outcome, know that America will persevere, and so will this community, for that matter. Voters may fear that certain local candidates will destroy our schools, bloat our taxes or gut our services. They probably won’t. The systems of government generally work, even here at home, and though they may follow a winding road, things generally move in a positive direction.

We encourage everyone, everywhere on the political spectrum, to take a deep breath next week. Pull back from social media. Walk away from the predictions of gloom. Engage with your neighbors (liberal or conservative). Know that things will be ok.

Trump or Harris, red or blue, left or right, Democrat or Independent, the sun will rise on Nov. 6. Teachers will teach. Students will learn. Doctors will treat. Police officers will protect. Life will move forward. Believe in the strength of our communities and the enduring strength of this great nation.