Despite the scent of trendy cynicism that permeates this blog, I am really an “accentuate the positive” kind of guy. So I spent most of last week trying to write a “look at the bright side!” post regarding the presidential elections. And each time I gave up after 100 words with a hearty “aw, who am I kidding?”
It’s not just that Bush was re-elected — though I look forward to a second term of Dubya as I would of bout of dysentery. No, what really got to me was the realization that I live in a different universe from most of the electorate.
The first salvo in this one-two punch came few days before the election, when I read that three-fourths of all Bush supporters believe that Iraq had WMD or WMD programs before the war. What the point of participatory democracy (thought I), if nearly half of the participants can be so wrong about the most important matter under consideration? It’s just all so capricious. Here, five-eights of us are doing our civil duty, learning about the candidates and issues, and then we have this enormous wildcard, a huge chunk of the voting public operating under seemingly arbitrary assumptions. It’s like competing against the Boggle-Playing Chicken, picking the winner by randomly pecking at a ballot.
(To be fair: I know that there are lots and lots of thoughtful, intelligent and reasonable Bush supporters out there, who are in full command of the facts and voted for their guy because they honestly believe he is the best man for the job. And, if you’re one of them, I’m sorry we couldn’t cough up a candidate you felt you could vote for. Flawed though he is, I think Kerry was still one-bajillion times better than Bush on pretty much every issue, but I understand that someone could come to the opposite conclusion. Maybe you’re right, that Bush will be the better leader of the two. I hope so, though I doubt it.)
Then the other shoe dropped. After the election, we heard that voters said there top concern was moral values, which, as near as I can tell, is a euphemism for “biblical values.” As an agnostic-who-is-for-all-intents-and-purposes-and-atheist, I had something of an epiphany upon hearing this: I don’t just live is a different universe from the Iraq-had-WMDs crowd, I live if a different universe from the 61% of Americans who believe the Bible to be literal fact. These people and I don’t just have an honest difference in opinion on political matters, we have entirely different ideas about the very nature of reality itself.
Of course, I’ve always known this dichotomy existed, but, living in this bastion of secular humanism we call Seattle, it’s easy to forget. The results of this election, however, really drove the point home. I felt like George Taylor at the end of The Planet of The Apes, when he sees the Statue of Liberty and realizes that his hopes of “returning” to Earth are dashed — that, in fact, he’s been on Earth all along. “This isn’t a bad day for America,” I said on election night, when CBS showed a map of the nation almost completely colored red. “This is America!”
(A bit melodramatic, I know. But, in my defense, I had been drinking heavily.)
Anyway, I’ve been mulling things over for a week, and I’ve decided that, yes, some good may yet come from this election. Admittedly it’s less “that cloud has a silver lining” and more “judging from that there cloud, it’s gonna piss down rain so hard that we might finally get motivated to fix our leaky roof.” But, that said, here are some reasons for optimism:
- Off With Their Heads!: This should, by all rights, herald the end of Terry McAuliffe’s reign at the DNC. I’m not one of those guys who hollers “fire the manager!” after every losing season of my hometown baseball team, but McAuliffe is to Democrats what icebergs are to luxury liners. And Bob Shrum! Enough of the Shrum, people! The man is apparently trying to emulate Bush’s career of failing miserably at every undertaking until he somehow lucks into the White House, but maybe (hopefully) after this election no candidate will touch is “people vs. the powerful” class war claptrap with a ten-foot pole.
- No Scapegoatery: Bush won this election fair and square — no 537 vote margin in Florida, no Supreme Court coronation. Yes: a convincing Bush win is a good thing! Now democrats can’t just point out that their guy got the popular vote and blame their loss on Nader or the judicial branch of government — now they have to engage in some actual self-reflection.
- Maybe Voters Will Stop Trying To Game The System: And speaking of self-reflection, perhaps– and I realize this is probably too much to ask, but a guy can hope — Democrats will realize that picking a candidate in the primaries based on his supposed “electibility” ain’t such a bright idea. I guess the idea was that them warmonging yokels down south would be so enraptured by Kerry’s purple hearts that they would march to their polling places in a daze and pull the lever for him zombie-style, but I could have told you back in April that that wasn’t gonna pan out. In the future, how about we stop trying to figure out who some chimeric swing voter would like as president and instead concentrate on who we would like as president, eh? And besides, one of the charges often made against Democratic candidates is that they will adopt any position if it’s politically expedient; it doesn’t help when the whole party is adopting candidates because they are politically expedient.
- Now Bush Has To Clean Up His Own Mess: Let’s face it: a Kerry win would have been a pyrrhic victory at best. With our military stretched so thin, our deficits at an all-time-high, and anti-American sentiment on the rise, Bush has put America so far in the hole that the presidency was something of a poison pill for Kerry. He probably would have spent his entire first (and, more than likely, only) term just putting out Bush fires. And if the US suffered another terrorist attack on Kerry’s watch — even if it was a result of Bush’s policies that have made American’s less safe — that might have sounded the death knell for the Democratic party. Now, Bush is going to have to reap what he has sown. (This “bright side” is somewhat diminished by the fact that all Americans have to reap what Bush has sown, to be sure, but still …)
- I Will Shut The Hell Up About Politics For A Spell: Possibly the only unalloyed bit of good news to come out of this election is that it has has me so disgruntled about American politics that I plan to rededicate this site to (a) conversations I’ve heard on the bus, (b) true tales of terrors regarding my infant son’s excretory habits, and (c) pictures of my cats. Thank the non-existent Lord for that!
Of course, the most compelling reason for progressives to be optimist is simply this: they have no choice. If progressivism has any defining feature, it’s that its proponents have the imagination to envision a better nation and the courage to work towards it. And in this race, rejecting the Republican’s campaign of fear and smear and instead rallying behind a guy trying to unseat an incumbent president in the middle of a war was an act of optimism unparalleled in recent political history.
Oh, and one last thing. A lot of progressives are joking about “moving to Canada” — myself included . But if you’re one of those folks who insists that they are really, really considering it, please: do us all a favor and go. The Republicans will be happy to see you leave, and the rest of us don’t really need you hanging around and reinforcing the stereotype that liberals (a) are so unpatriotic that they will ditch their nation in a time of need, and (b) feel entitled to the benefits of a government (like, Canada’s) without having to work for it. If you’re “totally serious” about moving this time, then pack up and head for the border, compadre. Otherwise, dig in your heels, roll up your sleeves, gird your loins and get ready to fight, like the rest of us intend to do.
C’mon shmrri, your original post was your justification for stereotyping Christians.
It’s pretty simple, treating a person differently because of there religion is wrong.
Unless, of course they’re Muslim.
-Just kidding.
You even said, “individual Christians may have mercy and tolerance, but the religion itself does not.” If you believe this then how is stereotyping us okay or excusable?
I’m an individual Christian who deserves to be seen by my own actions, not the actions of those who abuse the faith.
It’s too bad you’ve been mistreated, many have, including myself. I still think it’s not an excuse. We have to rise above all this BS and see people for who they are.
Alot of people have the idea that you should never talk about religion and politics. Here we are talking about BOTH at the same time and “Poor Mr Yeti” started it.
I can’t possibly believe that Matt is surprised that these debates /conversations are going on here.
But, you’re right, enough is enough. Back to cats and squirrelies and such.
PS Stereotyping generally does work when it comes to how you should view Philadelphia Eagles fans. So classify away.
Hey, you nutty folks who only watch Fox and think that Iraq had WMD’s. Read the Daulfer (sp?) report. Oh, and the Kurds were the victims of a chemical weapons attack from Saddam. 15 years ago.
Guess it just takes us a while to get *really* mad about it.
Ok, first I’m going to admit that I read half the comments then skipped down to make my own, so whatever friendly debates and/or raging thermonuclear wars are currently going on right now, I’m not tuned in, so this comment has nothing to do with those. ;)
That said, allow me to step up on my soapbox and get a few things off my chest. I am a Christian, I believe Jesus died for my sins and since I accepted his love, I’m saved for eternity. However, that’s where my resemblance to Christian Fundamentals ends. I think voting for a candidate based on “moral issues” is showing just how ignorant Americans are as voters! Please tell me, how does being a good Christian qualify someone as fit for the presidency of the greatest country on Earth? How does being a good Christian make someone capable of handling all the foreign politics and economic issues inherent in the office of the presidency? If being a good Christian was the single most important characteristic in a president, then by all rights I, a 23-year-old teacher with no experience in politics, who can’t even balance a checkbook, am perfectly qualified to be the next President of the United States. Or even better, let’s get the Pope! Who better to be the good Christian president we need than the Pope! I’m sure he won’t mind leaving the Vatican for a few years, right? People, faith is not a characteristic to judge a presidential candidate on! (And yes, I realize this may be preaching to the choir on this site…ha ha, little pun…) The fact that over half of Americans don’t seem to realize this distinction reinforces the rest of the world’s view that we are ignorant, spoiled, closed-minded fat cats that take their political system for granted. Everybody always says to “get out and vote” during an election year, but I’m with Andy Roony, and I say DON’T get out and vote unless you have seriously researched who you are voting for and really understand our political system. It’s the ignorant buffoons that ruin the elections. You know who I mean, the ones that vote for whichever candidate speaks the best or has the most presence or yes, even which candidate better fits their ideal of a “good Christian.” Personally, I think we should all have to take a political aptitude test before we are allowed to register to vote, so that people who know and understand the political system are allowed to cast an informed vote, and keep the idiots away from the polls.
Thus endeth the rant.
HEY MATT PLEASE READ THIS COMMENT!
By now you should know not to take anything the media quotes, especially anything involving numbers, as being even remotely close to reality.
To wit:
1) A visual analysis of the voting data from someonewho actually understands statistics and interpreting data:
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/
2) While 59 million people voted for Bush, NEARLY as many voted for Kerry in the larger picture. To say you are out of touch with the electorate as a whole is simply not true in the face of such data.
3) The whole exit poll “People voted on moral values” sound bite is the result of patently bad ad-hoc data analysis. Thank goodness for NPR, they set the record straight. Look at the numbers here about “Most Important Issue” in the exit polls: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/US/P/00/epolls.0.html
Then consider this: it was only 22% of the voters who said “Moral Values” was the most important issue for them. And look at the options they had to choose from. The only option that is very general is
I for one think america is a sinking ship as it is. Economically, technolgicaly, and of course socialy. The fact is america is still a very racist, ignorant, backwards country. Even in the “blue states” bush still got about a high 40%’of the vote. Where in the read states bush got 60% and above. People in city are so different than people who live in the country, espcially the south that a man like bush can easily get elected. the sad thing is i think if you did some researc,you would find a person who voted for bush, is much more likely to be racist or at least predjuice, less educated, less respectful to women, less likely to have traveled out side the U.S. let alone there own state, and more likely to be close minded in general. So canada, personally i love new york, it really is a differnt world, but people out in bumb-funk alabama get to decide who is president and therefore how much of a risk i am at living in new york city. The terrorists end up atacking the wrong people. and its just not fair. so in 4 years, ill see where the USA stands, and what the direction for the future is. that is of course unless they try to draft me, then i’ll be in canada alot sooner.
Not being aerican I dont feel I can say too much, but think about it. The est part about Dubya having anoter term is hat the forefather of your nation had the amazing insight to not allow him to have more than 2 terms :)
It would be kind of nice to have some people coming FROM AMerica, rather than the usual flood of talent and people going from Canada to the US. I read once that there are so many Canadians in Los Angeles that its the 3rd largest Canadian city! I guess that living in a smaller country Im used to people giving up on their country for the sake of a dollar…why not the other way around? Ive never understood leaving a perfectly good country just because it takes more work to make the life you want in the place that raised you. The NE part of the US seems to have more in common with Canada than with the more southern “red” states…so at least they’ll blend in ok.
I agree, America is just an awful place to be. I can’t imagine why people from Canada and everywhere else on the planet want to come here. Don’t they know what a terrible place America is? For sure, Canada is better. So is Russia and France and Mexico and pretty much every other country on the planet. Why, I bet even Chechnya is better than any place in the entire United States! Y’all better leave now before all those other places fill up with Americans who know how awful it is here.
I think I’ll stay here with all those “furriners”.
I agree, America is just an awful place to be. I can’t imagine why people from Canada and everywhere else on the planet want to come here. Don’t they know what a terrible place America is? For sure, Canada is better. So is Russia and France and Mexico and pretty much every other country on the planet. Why, I bet even Chechnya is better than any place in the entire United States! Y’all better leave now before all those other places fill up with Americans who know how awful it is here.
I think I’ll stay here with all those “furriners”.
Hey Matt! Now I know why sometimes you see double postings like I just did. Something funky is going on with your comment-posting thingy. You tell it to post, but it hiccups or something and you’re right back at the comment-posting thingy which, of course, you tell it to post again and voila! A second posting. Was that a technical enough explanation for you?
A few comments:
1) I love how libs assume that all conservative voters are uneducated hillbillies. Rest assured my friends these people don’t even know it is election day.
2) I love how liberals put forth the notion that other countries are more enlightened than our poor voters. Just look at Germany. They are so enlightened they are electing neo-nazis to run their country.
3)I love how liberals classify conservatives as religious fanatics. Keep assuming everyone that voted conservative is simply motivated by religion and in the next election the libs will ignore the south and lose again.
4) If you do move to Canada please make sure you don’t cross back over the border becuase the wait for your medical procedure is several months.
A lot of progressives are joking about “moving to Canada” — myself included. But if you’re one of those folks who insists that they are really, really considering it, please: do us all a favor and go.
I don’t mean to be hostile, but why don’t you progressives who are only ‘joking’ about this try shutting the hell up?
You’re doing more to reinforce these stereotypes you’re complaining about– you provide a caricature of liberals who are not only willing to whine about giving up on their country, but are also too feckless to follow through on leaving.
Don’t go slamming those of us who are voting with our feet. How can that be unpatriotic when it’s how this nation began?
Man fuck you with that “unpatriotic” bullshit. Maybe it doesn’t rouse me because I’m not rabble. I have wanted to move to Canada for a while and now I realize once I do I’m going to be forced to take shit from Conservatives AND liberals because I relocated my place of residence.
Any of you self-righteous jackasses ever heard of dual citizenship?
You did know that my checks are allowed to cross the border and that my phone service will allow me to contact the US?
Besides between the MSM and the blogs this is approximately the 75th time I’ve seen that tired exhortation. I can still participate in our political system even if I am opting to live somewhere sane while I do it.
Eat me.