If I may quote Niki… “Do they make a morning-after pill for this?” [sigh]…
I am angry, worried, deflated, and… numb. Well, maybe not numb, because I feel this deep sense of forboding. One thing is clear… concentrating and getting any actual work done today is going to be a real challenge.
So I thought I would try to write a semi-meaningful blog entry, just to sort of vent, if nothing else. It won’t be anywhere near as eloquent as Patrick’s excellent entry from this morning. Go read it. Then come back here, if you want.
[Interesting interjection -- I just got kicked off of AIM and can't sign back on because my "the AIM server has temporarily limited [my] account due to too much activity - try again in a few minutes.” Just coincidence that I happened to be bitching with Chris and Patrick about the election? Too much activity my ass. Conspiracy theory, more like.]
I know the final election results aren’t in yet, and probably won’t be for a few days. But CNN is showing the popular vote (the portion that has currently been reported, that is) as 51% Bush, 48% Kerry. (And 1% Nader… I am really starting [ok, not starting... I started a while ago] to dislike him. I voted for him in 2000, but this year is a different story. F*ck Nader!) I guess it’s encouraging that it’s so close… but still, not looking good at this point, even though I am trying to remain optimistic — the Democratic party, and more importantly, the country, needs our continued optimism. However, that said, I am really and truly scared for the future of America. I feel like this nation is just teetering on a pinhead… or wait, here’s a different analogy; it’s like in the movies when a bus or car is hanging partially over the side of a cliff, and any small movement could possibly send it crashing into the gorge below. Yeah. That’s how I feel about America right now.
Niki, Jenny, and others and I have [semi-]joked that if Bush wins this election, we’re making a run for the border. But in all seriousness, that would not be the best course of action. Running away is not what this country needs us to do right now. For better or for worse, this country is our home and we are its citizens, and as tempting as expatriatism is, our country needs us. It needs the educated, the passionate, the ever-optimistic and idealistic even in the face of huge opposition, the movers and shakers for positive change. It needs us to stay and fight the good fight. Cynicism is tempting… flee to Canada or Europe and leave the U.S. to the gun-toting, Bible-thumping, bomb-loving, gay-bashing masses that sometimes seem to be everywhere, and watch the country drive itself into ruin — or, worse, watch as another fed-up country does it for them.
But that’s not what any of us want. That’s not what I want. I do truly love this country, and I believe that dissent does not equal siding with the terrorists, but rather, a true concern for the fate of our nation and a desire to make it better. To that end, I will not be flocking to cooler climes (why is it that all the countries with a socialized healthcare system are so freakin’ COLD?) — I will be staying here, fighting it out, trying to make my way and dig out my own little piece of a “standard of living” in this increasingly stratified society, and, most importantly, volunteering my ass off. Lethary or passive interest are no longer options. I’ll be using what little free time I have doing some sort of volunteer work, and if at all possible, making [admittedly paltry] contributions to organizations fighting for change. I’ve already submitted online requests for volunteer information to several places, including the ACLU, Amnesty International, NARAL, the Human Rights Campaign, and a few others that escape me now. Also looking into the Atlanta Democratic Party — god knows they need a new web site, and I would be happy to volunteer my time to make one. If anyone else knows of any other good organizations, let me know. And big ups to Jenny for all her hard work at the Kerry campaign office in Minneapolis/St. Paul.
I guess that’s all for now. I have a feeling tonight would be a really good time to start reading my meditation how-to book. Now I have to try to get some actual work done.
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6 Responses to "Thoughts"
Nice post Amber.
Let me say this, and I’m echoing what kos said at The Daily Kos, let’s not make accusatory judgements of those who voted for Bush. I am completely baffled, as many Democrats are, about Bush’s margin of victory. But it’s not helpful to start calling them ‘Bible-thumping yokels.’
There are plenty of people of faith who consider them Democrats - me being one of them. The key is to not belittle those who backed Bush, but to figure out how to reach those people in a respectful way and determine how to bring them into the Democratic fold.
Personally, I don’t believe hard turns to the left will accomplish anything. Hard turns to the right have only narrowed the Republican base and most polls show that undecideds liked Bush primarily for not wanting to change course in the middle of a war and over issues of morality.
It is OK to disagree with those who didn’t agree with us. But we have to engage those people and find a way to open up a civil and respectful dialogue on the issues which mattered to them.
For one thing this was kind of a ranting/venting entry more than anything. (But tinged with hope. HOPE is going to have to be the primary focus if we want to see any strides made.) Furthermore, can’t you tell from the way it’s phrased (as if I put so much thought into the way I phrase things) that that string of adjectives was inclusive, not this OR this OR this? This AND this AND this. So don’t worry Jmac, I’m not picking on you. I have great respect for people of faith. I don’t have respect for bigots.
Also…
I liked this comment from the Daily Kos so much, I thought I’d paste it here…
(click for original)
“What I want to know is…
when is a Democrat going to stand up and say:
I believe in the right for two people to devote their lives to each other in the sight of God and man.
I believe in the right for those two people to throw their lot together and share the risks, the bounties, the tears, and the laughter that life brings them for better and for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do them part.
I believe in the right of someone to visit their loved one in the hospital when they are sick.
I believe in the right for someone to make arrangements for their loved one when death finally parts them.
And I don’t believe the government should deny these rights to ANY of our fellow citizens.
Love is stronger than government.’”
Here’s where we differ over strategy.
If you want to entice Christian moderates to return to the Democratic fold - and not scare of the ones you have - you can’t frame the argument that way. You then, whether you think so or not, become confrontational and the divide grows greater.
The argument has to take on a more of an understanding of the view of a Christian who disapproves of gay marriage. For instance, the rationale that banning gay marriage at the state level has nothing to do with anyone’s faith. We are talking about the government’s right to marry, not forcing any church (if it chooses not to) to have gay marriages. Those are decisions that individual congregations make.
While the folks - from the right and left - who read this site understand that, not many else do. My brother-in-law, for instance, thought that if we voted yes on Amendment One, then churches would have to offer gay marriage (along with some irrational fear about a surge in homosexuality or something).
There has to be delicate fence-walking here because the overwhelming number of Christians do not approve of gay marriage. The issue, then, must be viewed as a separation of church and state. Republicans are good at blurring the lines, but this debate is very young and Democrats are behind. It won’t be like that forever.
Well I’m no Daily Kos. So perhaps I do sound confrontational… whatever.
With the gay marriage issue… it’s like you said, it’s an issue of separation of church and state — a situation which benefits both Christians and non-Christians. The biggest problem is that people just need to be better educated. Like your brother-in-law.
See? We do agree Amber! Well, at least somewhat.
I’m on the verge of writing a manifesto. Or a mission statement a la Jerry Maguire. Perhaps in 35-plus years when I’m president I can look back on this fondly. :)