This seems to be the question on most of my friends' minds at the moment... it's certainly on mine. We lost, and the next four years are going to really, really suck.
Well... I've never really been politically active, but I think the time has come to get involved. I think it's time we all did. Small things. Pay attention to local races, initiatives and what not.
Campaign finance reform. Election reform. These things need to happen. They must happen or else this is the way it will always be.
And one other thing - I'm done with the democrats. We need a third party. This is just ridiculous. They got one last shot from me, simply because Bush was an intolerable option. But that's it. They blew it, again. No more. No matter what. Cheney could run in four and I will still NOT VOTE DEMOCRAT. Naders and Perots will get my vote from now on.
I'm sorry, they blew it. They lost this election. They lost the House. They lost the Senate. They can't do anything. To hell with them.
And they don't really speak for us. They just spoke a little better than Bush. I never liked Kerry, I was just stuck with him.
A challenge to those who are on the fringes of their parties - go independent. Yes, you, McCain. You hate Bush. Admit it. Get out of there. Dean? Come on, to hell with the Democrats. They screwed you and you know it.
Alright Michael Moore, Arianna, Franken - what's next? Are you guys going to suck up to the democrats again, or are you done with them as well?
Posted by brian at November 03, 2004 02:37 PMBrian-I really enjoy reading your blog and most often I agree with you, let me start by saying that I am an "Independent" I chose this so I could vote across party lines as I see fit. I voted for Kerry but also Spector, a moderate Republican. Although I understand your frustration on the outcome of the election, I think you are being a little hard on the Democrats. I am sure there was more they could have done but they as well as their volunteers put on one hell of a fight. I think by having another party you will just see a split between that party and the Democrats, once again leaving victory to the Republicans next time as well. I think somehow the Democrats need to find a way to penetrate some of the southern states. I certainly don't have all the answers but I am not willing to give up on Kerry should he choose to run again in 4 years.
"What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger"
See, the problem with that is it assumes I actually liked Kerry and his positions. I don't. They were just better than Bush/Cheney/Corporations. I think the Democrats consistently winnow out the people with the best ideas in an attempt to be moderate and get swing republicans and conservatives, which, we can plainly see, is a losing strategy. Slate has an article about this now - http://slate.msn.com/id/2109128/ - I beat them to it, but I have a different viewpoint. Nyah.
I think the democrats need to stop chasing republicans and be fucking liberal. That's not a bad thing. And they might actually win.
Posted by: brian on November 3, 2004 05:04 PMOr go the opposite way...go underground. All Democrats should register in the next primary as Republicans. Pick the next Republican candidate. The Republican Party depends on the dumbing-down of the country for their wins. Force them to run an intelligent candidate.
Posted by: NobodySpecial on November 3, 2004 05:16 PM"Once again you have crystallized my thoughts eloquently." ~ David Letterman
Oh, you don't know me but you struck a chord with me. So yeah.
Have a great night.
Posted by: Susan on November 3, 2004 06:41 PMI'm still too livid to think straight but if the Democrats tried to "speak to the southern states" it would bbasically mean they're republicans. I have little in common with the people from the southern states. Grew up there. Can't say I'm a fan. Especially today. But there is another way. It's using this 4 years to find it and make it work. If that fails buy more guns and lets have a good old fashioned Civil War!
Posted by: Jason D- on November 3, 2004 06:46 PM