The Lights Are Going Out
This is a Black Day in American History. Kerry ran the best campaign he realistically could have, as a reasonably moderate, not-too-liberal, Clinton centrist Democrat, actually to the right of Bush on national security, but it wasn't enough. Perception is everything, and the media allowed Bush to "own" the issue without pointing out his almost-criminal incompetence, in letting bin Laden and Zarqawi get away on multiple occasions and strengthening the terrorist's ranks by occupying Iraq. After September 11, we had the support of the entire civilized world, yet today our standing has never been lower. We were lied into a war that has killed more than 1,100 Americans, and Americans don't even seem to care. I don't even know this America anymore. I can't even recognize it. For more thoughts on these matters, I recommend Eric Alterman's blog at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3449870/.
Bush won the day because of the use of wedge issues, valence issues like abortion and gay marrige, which he inaccurately tarred Kerry as supporting. The Republicans learned from 2000 that mobilizing the base is crucial. As in 2002, this year they simply mobilized more supporters than the Democratic party did
Yeah, I know, "With malice toward none, with charity toward all", etc. Yeah right! They will say, "Get over it." If the shoe was on the other foot, and Kerry were now the President-elect, would Republicans compromise away their core values in the name of "getting over it"? Of course not. This election exposed the real divide between the parties on the issues and we Democrats will continue to stand in forceful opposition to any reactionary actions coming out of this administration. It's not being a "sore loser". It's being true to our convictions. As Shakespeare advises us in Hamlet, "This above all else, to thine own self be true."
Yes indeed, they will say, "Get over it." But there is no way to get over this travesty. Criminal incompency and reactionary far-right extremism rule the day. We will be regretting this decision for many years to come, both here and around the world. The majority of the American electorate has spoken and we will all have to pay for their decision with untold blood and tears, we will all have to reap the foul harvest that they have sown. And we will all of us be the poorer for it.
"The lights are going out all over... we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime."--Sir Edward Grey, August 1914
0 comments:
Post a Comment