A lot of readers have e-mailed me, and asked why I haven’t talked more about politics this election season. It’s mostly a time issue, but the real reason is, there are other sites out there that say the very same things I want to say, and they say them better than I do. As I wrote back in May: “Salon, DailyKos, Atrios, Josh Marshall, The Daily Howler, Juan Cole, and Kevin Drum are just a few of the sites I read at least once a day. I do a lot of nodding along in agreement when I read them, and they always say what I would say, with more eloquence and passion than I can currently muster.”
In that entry, I also said, “There’s enough anger and strife in the world right now. I’d rather put my time and energy into reflecting on the things that make me happy, than the things that piss me off.”
Then I got an e-mail this afternoon inquiring why I haven’t written about the most important election in our lifetime.
The most important election in our lifetime.
Boy, did that strike a nerve with me. This is the most important election in my lifetime. Forget the concept of holding the Bush administration accountable for the lies and incompetence for a moment, and just think about the very real possibility of a Supreme Court stacked with Bush appointments: goodbye freedom of choice. Goodbye freedom from religion. Goodbye equal rights for homosexuals.
Presumably, you’re reading this website because you want to know what’s in my head, and a lot of you have asked how I feel about the election . . . so here it is: I’m pretty sure that John Kerry will win this election. I am pretty confident that the majority of Americans are fed up with the lies, corporate sell-outs, and reality-defiance of the Bush administration. I am pretty sure that I’ll wake up on November 3rd and tell my wife, “Our long national nightmare is over.”
But it will still be close, and it’s possible that the GOP’s disgusting efforts to keep voters away from the polls will work, and we’ll end up with four more years of George W. Bush.
Last week, a reporter from Salon invited me to contribute to a story that asked, “What will you do if President Bush is re-elected?”
I struggled to find the best way to express how important I feel this election is, and I tried to articulate some of the main reasons I believe that Mr. Bush does not deserve a second term, but there were so many, I kept ending up with over 1000 words. One draft was close to 1700 words, and that was just trying to understand how President Bush and his supporters seem to live in some parallel reality where up is down and we have always been at war with Eurasia. (Or is it East Asia? Doesn’t matter. War is Peace.)
What I came up with, in the editing and soul-searching, and the worrying, is this: I believe that we much reject George W. Bush and the direction he’s taken our country. Even if we (hopefully) end up with a new president tomorrow, it will take decades to repair the damage George Bush has done in just four years: damage to our civil rights, damage to our economy, damage to our national standing with the rest of the world (doesn’t it bother anyone that the vast majority of the world viscerally hates America because of George W. Bush? I’m not talking about “The Terrorists.” I’m talking about our traditional allies in France, Spain, Germany, Britan, and pretty much all of Europe. On September 12, 2001, the entire world stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us . . . but look at how our country is viewed now.) If he gets another four years to wreak havoc on America and the world, we may never recover from it.
Here’s what I ended up sending them:
I’m Wil Wheaton, and I approved this message:
There are so many reasons that George W. Bush doesn’t deserve four more years, it is staggering to me that the question “What will you do if George W. Bush is re-elected?” can even be asked. This shouldn’t be a horse race. This should be a Kerry blow-out.
This election is a referendum on the policies and leadership of President Bush. On November 2nd, we will take a simple test: will Americans succumb to terror? Or will we stand up and take our country back?
Our hopefully soon to be ex-president once struggled to say, “fool me once, shame on
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I voted for Bush in 2000. But this year, I already voted for Kerry. Do I really like Kerry? Not especially, but I do not reward people who lie to take our country to war.
As a Canadian, I assure you that we share your anticipation/fear/elation/dread about the election today. Your comments about the Bush administration and the probable future should he be allowed to rule for another four years are the same I’ve heard echoed here as we have watched the build up to today. I am truly frightened of what Bush could do globally over the next four years. I can only hope that Americans are worried too and don’t give him the chance.
Thanks for using your forum to put your thoughts out there, Wil.
Something from my friend’s AIM profile, just to make people smile:
“Practice abstinence on Nov. 2: No Bush, No Dick.”
Well said, Wil! I just finished voting, in Texas, mind you. From here at least it seems like the mere whisper of hope that Kerry might win. I cried when Bush won last because I feared for the future of our nation. I agree, four more years of Bush would be cause to grieve.
On a happier note, at least in my neighborhood in Far North Dallas, the early morning turn out was great and outside the polling place several people were talking about a Kerry win. In veiled terms of course. This is still Texas. =)
Wil-
I took your book to the polls so that I had something to read while I waited to help you make some changes around this place!
-troy
Good post Wil and a brave one. Judging by some of these posts it hasn’t done anything to upset the Bush spin machine but you are right. Bush is the worst president in over a hundred years. His record is shameful and it’s amazing that anyone would vote for him again.
You’ll cry? Your children will face a draft? Goodbye freedom from religion? Goodbye freedom of choice? Goodbye Freedom for gays?
Holy hell someone has chugged ALL the Michael Moore kool-aid.
I’m crying right now, I’m laughing so hard.
Wil,
I’m not going to agree or disagree with most of your post – I’m Canadian, and I was pissed off when Michael Moore told us how to vote, so I’m not gonna tell Americans how to vote.
I do want to respond to a couple of things you said though.
#1 is that this is the most important election in our lifetime. Even accounting for rhetoric and assuming “US” belongs before the word “election”, I’m going to have to go ahead and kind of disagree a little. (Ever seen Office Space? I have a coffee cup next to me as I type this too. 🙂 ) *Every* election is this important. Even in our lifetimes – I’m about your age – I think the ones that brought Reagan into power were pretty big ones. Bush Sr. too. They helped to put the coup de grace into the Soviet Union. Not much beyond our lifetimes, we have JFK. What would US foreign policy in Vietnam have been like with a different President? How about the Cuban Missile Crisis?
#2: you’ve got some traditional allies a lot closer than Europe. We share the world’s longest (mostly) undefended border with you. Bush didn’t even mention us when he thanked America’s friends who helped out after 9/11. That you’ve forgotten us too kind of smarts.
And for the record, I don’t think most Canadians hate Americans any more than we did already before Bush Jr. Yank-bashing is our third national sport, behind our official one in lacrosse and our unofficial one in ice hockey, after all. 🙂 And again for the record, I actually don’t participate much in that particular sport. I’m pretty sympathetic to the US, actually. I think y’all are in a difficult spot – it’s tough being at the top. Everything you do is under a microscope, and everything you do is wrong. Don’t help troubled countries? You’re not willing to use your power to help friends. Help elsewhere? You’re power-hungry imperialists.
Anyway, I’ll stop now.
Wil, your gift with the pen is so rich, so deeply felt when read. I, too, am very concerned about this “most important election” of our lives. Over the past two years I’ve battled some of the most ridiculous, improbable assaults from life which have virtually halted personal progress, yet the Universe does not seem to care one bit… the fight is over when it’s over.
Four More Years? Bush seems to be a great guy: loves God, family man, apple pie, the works. But is this reason enough for me to give up my human right to think, to question, to wonder why when reasonable answers are not given (ever) to very serious questions? Why can’t we (the voters and taxpayers) have a straight answer about Iraq? I heard on the news this morning (Election Day) that people had waited in line up to 5 hours to vote in Florida. This tells me that if the citizens are willing to endure this level of inconvenience, something is terribly wrong in the White House. The people have turned out because they want something to change, and they want it to change quickly.
Four More Years? It could happen, tho at this writing I don’t see any particular benefit to it, except to further destroy the morale of the people while continuing to gut the Constitution until it is no longer our governing document. Of course, I speak as one who does not benefit from tax cuts for the wealthy, so my opinions may not be totally fair and balanced.
However, the more I talk about it, the more I like “No Mo Years” for this incumbent.
THANKK YOU Wil for posting what you did.
Four more years of Bush is unthinkable…
John Kerry HAS to win.
I too will cry if he looses.
and to the poster that thinks “crying” is immature
crying is about maturity and the realization that
the real world is hard and cruel and people can be
the same way.
But President John Kerry can help heal these things.
Thanks again Wil.
(I won’t sleep at all.)
Wil, I have enjoyed visiting your website for many months now…and it is not hard to see what your politcal leanings are and I certainly respect those feelings.
However, most of your assertions about Bush seem to come straight from Democratic propoganda…nothing really of substance. (Yes, the Republicans have their own propoganda machine too). We’ve heard the cry of draft (and it will never happen in our immediate lifetimes) and the cry of voter intimidation (who is stopping who from rightfully voting?).
Please come back next time with some informed arguments and not just “My Euro friends and I hate Bush”.
Wil,
In my opinion, you’re right about a lot of things. But when you said, ” the vast majority of the world viscerally hates America because of George W. Bush”, you were dead wrong.
Two days ago, a leftist Dutch TV network had a theme night. The theme was, “Why is it impossible not to love the U.S.A.?”
Because of its diversity.
Because of its promise of eternal change, its “newspaper boy to millionaire” myths, its passions, the Grand Canyon, the Manhattan skyline (pre and post 9/11).
And because most Americans do not closely resemble this President.
Personally, I “viscerally hate” Bush’s policies. Meaning, I strongly oppose them, and I fear their consequences (war, destruction of the environment, indiscriminate discrimination of minorities, racial hate, government corruption, loyalty oaths).
But I believe this to be true: it is impossible not to love the U.S.A.
You, go, Wil!
Wil,
Thank you for your candid look at this miserable failure. I still can’t believe most people look at this President and consider four more years with him. It just escapes me how this man and his administration keep getting free passes after screwing up. This isn’t Yale, GW, and this isn’t daddy’s Good Old Boy network, anymore. You’re playing with real people’s lives and real nation’s soverignity.
If any of you are still confused why the Dems or anyone else is so adamant about Bush’s removal, visit BushHatesAmerica.com and spend a few minutes examining the evidence. Then go vote. But do yourselves the favor to read about the atrocities attributed to this man before you make your pick.
And please, do not make Wil cry. There is nothing more sad than seeing a grown man (and a nation, collectively) cry.
I am half-hoping W will be reappointed. With all the angst out there (like in Eminem’s new video), it would seem a shame to let it fizzle after the election.
Real change isn’t going to happen in a Kerry administration, we’ll just be holding ground. We need people to fight for workers rights, to fight for sane foreign policy, and to fight for fair trade.
Four more years of Bush and we’ll have enough pissed-off unemployed people to march on Washington and demand these things.
Oh, and I fully expect a draft. Why? Because Bush said he won’t have one. If you take all of his sentences and negate them, that’s what he’ll do. The “uniter” has divided this country and the world. He said he wouldn’t make the US the “world police,” and now we’re the world police. And he said he wouldn’t engage in nation building, which is what we’re doing in Iraq.
Wil, you need never be reluctant to voice your political opinions. They are part of the foundation of your character. It only takes a new reader a few moments to realise how you are politically offiliated. It will never be a secret. In other words, you won’t alienate your viewers and readers if you express your opinion, as they already know.
Watching from Canada, I’m slightly optimistic, but more afraid. We’re already getting beat up over policy that affects us. The discover of a single case of mad cow disease has closed the border to beef in our country and completely destroyed our industry and many families who couldn’t sell their animals. Because we had such a level of trust, we foolishly relied on beef processing that existed *outside* of our borders. The wealthy cattle lobbyists have been very successful in keeping the border closed, despite our top notch science and handle of this single case. This has been a lesson learned, and our own processing industry is getting a significant kickstart. We’ll be less dependent next time. Lesson learned.
I won’t bother going on about all the other ways we’ve been impacted by the current administration. I’m not writing a novel afterall. But I will speculate on this. If the administration were to continue for another 4 years, I truly worry about what steps will be taken to secure *our* oil. The U.S. currently gets over 15% of the oil they buy from the world from Canada. (more than Iraq supplied). Although I don’t expect an invasion, I fear tactics more insidious. Because you are 10 times our size, you can easily pressure on other fronts. It’s been happening, and even NAFTA isn’t being honoured. I welcome a change of administration and the hope it brings for restoring good faith between our countries.
When I look at Bush, I see a schoolyard thug. And I see that he’s truly just a puppet, with Cheney and friends controlling the president, inciting him to do their bidding. I fear Bush isn’t smart enough to even see this. I have never ever before thought that any world leader was a stupid idiot, before Bush Jr.. I can’t fathom him continuing as President. How can the citizens of the United States not see him for the lying fool that he’s demonstrated himself to be.
And Doug S., intimating that Wil cries as a tactic because he *can’t express himself* is just about the stupidest thing I’ve ever read. Shame on you Doug for attacking Wil’s character because you disagree with him. That’s the mark of someone with no valid argument.
A-farking-men, Wil, Amen…
That’s so eloquent I couldn’t say it better myself. I posted that (with a link and credit to you) in my livejournal this morning. No one reads it but my friends, but still.
This *is* the most important election of my (short) lifetime. My mother told me last night she hasn’t seen the country so divided since the late 60s. Not since the Vietnam war. This is scary stuff.
Amen, Wil.
I love your blog Wil and appreciate your thoughts. I think you are a great guy with the a good heart. I always find it amusing that Hollywood types support Kerry, talk about being divorced from reality. I will stand by President Bush; Iraq is the current battle with terrorist as they pour in from all over the world. To cut and run now would not only make the sacrifice of our troops null and void, it would also send a clear message of weakness on our part. By the way, how do you support our troops and tell them what they are doing (and most believe in) is wrong? Luckily I will sleep well tonight because I know that to put my complete trust in either candidate is futile. I believe there is a God and He is in control of history. Whatever comes next is in His plan, not mine or yours.
“Goodbye freedom from religion”
Sorry Wil the line is, “Freedom of Religion”
Huge difference.
Thanks for writing this. Throughout this whole campaign I have been fighting back hope for a Kerry victory for fear that optimism would doom his chances… talk about having a world-revolves-around-me complex, right? But I guess that underscores just how terrified I am that Bush might win, because I honestly don’t know what I (we) would do. Fight back, obviously, because surely a Bush win would
Well said Wil!
You put that as well as any other left-wing blogger could have. My sentiments, exactly.
Cheers!
The Trash Heap Has Spoken!
I am curious; do those of you who hold to Wil’s political beliefs REALLY think that half of all the adults in America (or Australia) are stupid?
Do you really think that the wide spectrum of people – from highly educated to working class poor – that support Bush have NO intellectual reason for doing so?
If you really think this, then isn’t it your “side” which is intellectually impoverished and vapid?
I believe you DO have good reasons for selecting Kerry as your candidate BUT I think my reasons for empowering Bush are more relevant and urgent.
It’s just a question; will you slam me? … or honor the half of Americans who have a different moral and political objective?
…bwelkin
It does not fail to amuse me a little that everyone is so heated in their feelings about their candidate… and the irony that everyone is accusing the opposing views of only listening to the “propaganda”.
I, too, have my own strong feelings about who should win… but since I have found that there is no swaying those with a mile long barrage of sarcastic retort to my political sentiments, I have (sadly) stopped discussing my views with most people. These comments just further prove why I have resorted to such silence.
It is enough to say that I (like Wil) didn’t really NEED to say who my candidate is… it was apparent before you said Kerry.
Thank you for sharing, Wil.
Thank you, Wil, for your heartfelt and true thoughts. I voted Kerry this morning, and I sure as heck hope many others do the same.
I appreciate your comments, Wil. I agree it is time for a change, although I could not bring myself to vote for either the Giant Douche or the Turd Sandwich (thanks to South Park for defining the race in terms I can identify with). This election has been one of hyperbole on both sides, not saying how good they are but how bad the other guy is. Well, the ads worked on me. For the first time in my life I voted for a third party candidate with no chance of winning (libertarian).
I fear for the future of our nation as well… that is PRECISELY why I voted for Bush/Cheney two hours ago. I cannot for the life of me figure out the anti-Bush blather I’m reading here. How on earth can you people forget September 11? How can you possibly turn your back on securing our nation? Forget the rhetoric, look at Kerry’s record! Not 3 days after the leader of the most devastating attack on our country comes out on TV with a clear stand on who HE would like to have in office, I come and read this drivel of those that agree with him! UTTER INSANITY!
You aren’t doing anybody any favors cheerleading those nations and convincing them they have cause for being anti-American.
Bush did NOT lie. He WILL win, and I’ll continue to sleep peacefully under his watch.
I look forward to next week, when I can actually enjoy your site again.
Oh, and another thing… This whole gay-marriage thing… what’s that all about? I’m all for letting partners get death benefits, etc., but I absolutely believe that gay tendencies are unnatural. You think people are born like that, then sobeit, but you also have to believe that some people are born with lust for children or animals too… how can you think otherwise if you believe the former? Seriously, I’d love to know how one belief doesn’t open Pandora’s box.
Here in Georgia, we had the referendum for the constitutional amendment… I very happily voted for the definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
SECONDLY, forget this whole malarkey of Gore was the rightful president because he received the majority of the popular vote. You CANNOT assume that the demographics of those who would vote would be the same if the president was elected from a popular vote. Those states that are a lock have a lot of voters that, when they go to the polls and see 200 people standing in line, figure that precisely because it is an electoral-college based election, there vote doesn’t mean as much. If you really want the popular vote, I suggest you look at the polls… Bush wins in the vast majority of them.
I voted. I voted for someone who’s name starts with a “B” and it wasn’t Bush. Thank God he was actually on the ballot in Arizona.
“Voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil.” -Michael Badnarik
Speaking as ‘one of them’ there ‘other’ voters, I’m amazed that folks are missing a HUGE factor that Bush had NO control over. Remember when some other people parked some airplanes into the New York skyline? That wasn’t his doing, but his response to it was the best we can honestly expect under the circumstances. (The US, militarily, does a GREAT job in shooting at large immobile targets…like countries…and a crummy job of shooting at individual people, although the three Husseins might disagree with that statement.)
We prevented an economic meltdown of biblical proportions, just after a Dot-Com bust that had everybody’s grandma investing life savings in Internet Dog food sales, and some really rich CEO type people were getting richer by mis-managing their employee’s retirement. (and I’ll mention Enron here, fill in the blanks)
While we still have problems eradicating Al-queda (note: which was CREATED to be hard to hit, hard to find, and hard to stamp out), I think the actions taken were appropriate considering the data we had at the time.
It’s a great armchair quarterback that can look back and say we coulda done different. And as long as we’ve got something other people want (or don’t want us to have), there will be nasty military repercussions as a result.
The election is a popularity contest. Remember the kid in 6th grade that said if you’d vote for them as Class president, you’d have Chocolate Milk on Fridays?
I didn’t get my Chocolate Milk either.
If George Bush wins the election today, our children will witness the third world war. In my opinion, it will truly be one of the darkest days in America.
God help us if Bush wins.
As one of the people who emailed you waiting for your political rant, it’s good to see you make one. For all you know, Wil, there’s some swing voter out there who will read this and get to the polls, just like you’ve inspired people to start up their own blogs or live their dreams after setbacks. Never underestimate the power of the individual.
Your friend – Chris Feyrer
THE most important? I seem to remember people saying the same thing in ’00. We’ll have the same opinion in ’08, no matter who wins today.
I also need to point out that the current employee didn’t lie for the entire four year term, nor do I think he expected to have to deal with 9/11. So, if anything, he’s lied for the last 2 years of his term.
Just my nitpicking, of course – I seem to be the last one in America remembering the 80% approval rating in Nov/01… People disapprove of the last two years and simply forget that the guy didn’t suck three years ago.
Too much exaggeration out there, is what it is.
Power to you, Wil, for speaking with such passion about your political beliefs. I wish I had as much guts as you do to talk about issues I strongly believe in, but unfortunately I can’t because where I come from, politics is a very touchy subject. Talking about politics and religion is the fastest way to make enemies here, even though my best friend and I belong to different political parties (I won’t even say what political party I belong to here). I respect everyone’s opinions but will not put in my two cents on such subjects as abortion, gay rights, or gun control, because when you start talking about politics, you’re treading on sensitive ground. But you… I really respect you so much more for having the balls (excuse my language) to actually post your opinions on political issues. Every time I read your latest post, I always find myself gaining a little more respect for you. You are the coolest!
By the way… this year was my first year voting. Over here in Florida- yes, the state that fucked up the number of votes four years ago- we get to vote early (but I’m not sure if other states get to do the same thing). I already voted and I’m proud of myself for that. Adios and ciao!
-Vanessa Nichole
I am traveling to Germany next week, and I am worried about how my family and me will be greeted. Of course my family will love me, but it is the people that I meet in the towns and villages that I wonder about. Bush has had a casual indifference about the people of Europe for the last few years, and this indifference has caused a rift larger than has been seen since the end of the Second World War.
Can Kerry fix this like he says? I do not know, but he says he will try, while Bush says nothing to this effect. That more than anything has sealed my decision on this matter. The United Stated of America is facing the edge of a changing world, with the European Union, and now is not the time to turn our policies away from these countries, but find ways to work with them in a truly global vision.
Good Luck Kerry, I hope you can fulfill what you have promised.
It is simply unbelievable to me that his many people, including Wil himself can get so easily wrapped up in the Liberal agenda. Make no mistake, there ARE evil GOP’ers out there attempting to suppress the vote. Hoprefully they are caught and prosecuted. But no one ever raises a finger at how the DNC INTENTIONALLY goes into poor and especially BLACK neighborhoods to woo them to the polls. One woman in Chicago reported to WBBM that she was told that Bush would decrease her welfare payments. What a bunch of BS. They’ll say and do anything to hold the poor and uninformed/unintelligent masses to their party. Makes me sick. I have two jobs, my wife works full time, and we have a one-year old son. I take NO handouts, and under Kerry’s plan, we would immediatly be offered free healthcare for our son. I don’t want government-run healthcare! I will gladly get off my ass and work to afford to protect my family! PLEASE, don’t make the mistake of voting for Kerry. Sure, he’s surrounded by celebrity supporters, and even Wil is touting him….but these people DO NOT live in REAL America, where we have to work for a living! Please help re-elect Bush and keep us safer and stronger!
Amen.
I am a married father of one, with no. 2 on the way, living and working in the NYC area & I fear for my children’s future if W wins. As a native NY’er, who used to live just across the East River from the WTC (Brooklyn Heights), saw the towers fall from my office window, and take the PATH into WTC station, getting a first hand look at what was (very creepy when you get your bearings in the new PATH station, find a landmark that remained, and realize what’s missing), I could write a column myself of how I’m sickened of the way that this administration has hijacked my home for its own needs
Instead, what really disturbs me is that so few are concerned about the slippery slope of the erosion of our freedoms and liberties that this administration has endorsed based on religion. This is a multi-cultural country with many religions. One’s personal beliefs should be just that, personal.
Our forefathers, who saw how discrimination led to much pain in Europe and some of the colonies were very wise to seperate religion from state but this adminsitration has been intent on legislating as if their version of faith is the version and that whatever anybody else may think is moot. Whether life begins at conception, when the heartbeat of the fetus is first hears, when the baby’s head crowns or when the baby takes a first breath is very personal and it is not the state’s place to tell me X because a religion says that X is so.
I just can’t see how any true freedom loving American could support an administration who wants to amend the US Constitution, the document that guarantees our rights, to purposefully discriminate against a group of people based on their sexual orientation.
The supreme court won’t touch Roe V. Wade, they would have already done so.
There will be no draft.
Can you imagine John Edwards as President…yeesh.
Socialized Medicine under Kerry, thank goodness congress won’t let him.
I don’t really like Bush, but Kerry is the worse candidate for us.
I’m curious… Whatever happened to the option of not voting for either of the party candidates? I hear from all sides that they absolutely detest both Kerry and Bush. Whatever their reasons they find both extremely distasteful and out of touch. Why not take the simple step of refusing to vote for either? Why allow your vote to be counted for a candidate only because “he’s marginally better than the other guy”?
Why not organize your friends and do a write-in candidate? Write in John McCain, Karl Rove, or anyone that you think will do a better job of leading the country. Isn’t it our duty to actually vote for some one who we think will actually do a good job, not just the ones that are presumed to be our “only choices”.
hi wil…
although it’s still cloudy here, it’s not raining anymore in Chicago…
thank you for your post about the most important election in our lifetime… i am off to a reception for Illinois US Senate hopeful Barak Obama at a hotel in downtown Chicago tonight… keep your eye on this guy – i think he’s going to be running for president one day…
i am hoping for sunny skies here tomorrow… and i hope the same for the rest of the country…
be well…
renee
A Canadian in Chicago
http://thomas.loc.gov/, enter HR 163.
This shows sponsorship of the current bill in the house regarding the draft. Please note the sponsors of the bill, and their respective party associations.
Just FYI. Wil is a good guy. I don’t see eye to eye with him politically; I read his website often for his insight and humor. However, I think that the statement about his children facing the draft needs to have the root cause laid where it belongs. On the shoulders of the people who proposed it.
Wil you are an eloquent writer. You summed it up beautifully.
Like you, I don’t know what to feel. I want so very much to be optimistic however as one of my like-minded co-workers pointed out, we WERE optimistic 4 years ago.
I have cast my vote against Bush. Again.
I have a terrible knot in my stomach. If we get bushwhacked again, I AM going to cry. We, the Nation, just can’t take this anymore.
It was one thing growing up knowing the world at large perceived me as the ugly American; now more than ever, I am the killer-destroyer American with the blood of countless innocents on my hands.
I saw a sign on the way to work this morning driving through my ultra-conservative, right-wing neighborhood that read,
First off, I
Wil, well said.
I look at my 10-yr old daughter and realize *she* could be embroiled in this insane conflict/supposed mission accomplished war.
I cannot support Bush and I too am from Texas (remember he really wasn’t BORN here, his family moved here to AVOID PERSONAL INCOME TAX!).
And it’s sad/funny when I meet people from other states and they give me that side-ways glance of “You’re not for Bush are you?” Once I say no, they relax… and we can talk about the state of the world.
Here in my small town, we pro-Democrat supporters are strengthening. I still wish we had more than 2 choices to work from… and I wish we had a way for ANYONE to be able to run for office… money notwithstanding.
Since a lot of this all comes down to who has the money and spends it on their campaign, not to do with all the scare tactics and preaching. The money…. thank goodness for all the grassroots efforts: moveon.org, truemajority.com, etc.
Praying we awake to a new properly elected president…
From Texas, where yes we voted early as well.
— Beej
Excellent words. There are so many reasons why Bush needs to be replaced, we have to focus on the big ones. You nailed a big one. (dirty thoughts aside)
I rocked the vote and I rocked it hardcore. I also just read your book Wil, and it rocks the house. Ok… I am a geek and not a gang member. Wil, you book rocks like the Atari 2600. 🙂
Wow.
Well said Wil.
As a Canadian, I’ve watched US with an increasing sense of horror. Not just for the people of your country, but for mine as well.
If Bush can lie and cheat his way into a war with Iraq, I fear what he will do to those other countries who have vocally opposed his administration and scare tactics. (Remember Freedom Fries?) I was never so proud of former Prime Minister Jean Cretian as when he refused to back the war with Iraq because the UN was against it. I can well imagine the reaction Bush had that we, the public, never heard.
I hope that citizens of the US can pull together to rid themselves of a distructive dictator.
Hey Wil – want some cheese to go with that whine? 😉
“Sorry Wil the line is, ‘Freedom of Religion’
Huge difference.”
Sorry Mike… even if unintentional (and I hope it wasn’t), Wil was correct. While the common statement is ‘Freedom of Religion’, what the citizens of this country need is freedom FROM religion. Too many important decisions are being made based on religious beliefs. While I have my own opinions on the topics of gay-rights, pro-life, and stem cell research, Kerry solidified my support when I read that despite his personal beliefs as a Roman Catholic, he’s stated that he won’t legislate to impose those personal beliefs on Americans of other religions.
Here’s my two cents…
Major reasons I’m voting for Kerry:
1) SUPREME COURT – Democracy cannot work if the deck is stacked.
2) Education – No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is a joke. The GOP loves to point to some of the higher test scores, but considering a majority of the schools that I’ve visited since NCLB started actually sacrificed instruction time in non-tested subjects in order to “cram” for the tests, the scores do not provide an accurrate evaluation.
3) The environment – Too few are paying attention. The war on terror has been a great diversion from the assaults that are occurring on our own soil.
4) The ecomony – There are no words to covey the contempt I have for what this administration has done for this country’s economy. In it’s current state, for my 18 yr old to attend college, get an advanced degree, buy a new car, and own a modest home he will put himself into debt that will last twice as long as it did for past generations.
Enough of that. My son & I are off to vote! 🙂 You’re all invited to our all-night election party. Let’s hope it has the ending we hope for.
Wow, there’s nothing like political commentary to bring out the comments from people, eh?
This is a preview of what will go in my blog today (I tend to compose them in Notepad over the course of the day when I have spare moments):
Now, if you’re an American go vote for Kerry. Or at least, vote either way. If you don’t vote you have no right to complain about the person who is elected.
The local [ed. Toronto] news calls it “the most important election of the milenium”. All over the city (and country) people will be gathering to watch the results. Some in bars and restaurants. People are having parties. Now, I understand the magnitude of this election and the fact that the U.S. is the most powerful nation. I too look forward to the outcome. This election will have world-wide implications. I don’t want it to seem like I don’t care. But really, can’t Americans humour us a little and PRETEND to care about Canadian politics? Really, who, outside of Canada, got excited during OUR election last year? Paul Martin who? Canada and the U.S. are neighbours. We rely so much on each other.
Former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau once said, “When the U.S. sneezes, Canada catches a cold.” That’s how dependent Canada is on the U.S. economy. And yet, Canada acts like the U.S.’s younger sibling. Trying to emulate and get attention, trying to assert its own identity when the concepts of cultural imperialism and globalization are as old as, well,… they’re really old.
That’s my mini-rant.
**
Yeah, go vote.
I think you’ve highlighted what is paradoxical about this election: why are people so happy with Bush? I keep wondering what I’m missing here:
* Economy tanks, the tax cut changes a surplus into a record deficit;
* A major military exercise in Iraq on precarious arguments now shown to be baseless; and realistically, it’s not something we can just shrug our shoulders and walk away from.
* Energy policy based on drilling in national preserves, less so on alternative sources and better utilization.\
If the race were Bush versus Not Bush, Bush would lose hands down. But, since a name to “Not Bush,” it’s easy for the attack squad to pigeon-hole him, using fear, surprise and fanatical devotion to the — oh wait, that was the Spanish Inquisition.