In the infamous words of Raymond’s dad, H O L Y C R A P.

Americans have proven that they are sheep easily led astray by lies and distortions. They are not the critical thinkers our founding fathers hoped would be inheriting this country. This was born out most strongly by exit polls showing that “morality” was the most important issue to the voters that swang the election. Why the @#%#$ did the press hardly touch that issue until AFTER the campaigning? Karl Rove caught us off guard. We falsely assumed people had the supernatural power to DISCERN.

We MIGHT have picked up on this if we hadn’t assumed. My election-night-eve streetcorner discussions with my homophobic fundamentalist zealot neighbors, for example – I tried to argue for the “core concepts of the Bible” with them with no luck. I shouldn’t have assumed they were some extremist splinter group – they were the ones that showed they have the power to derail this country.

I’ve been through various stages of grief at the death of my country’s vitality. First sadness, then anger, now frustration. Not sure what’s next. I’ve never felt so emasculated and victimized in my entire life…

The county red-blue map from electoral-vote.com shows that the entire nation isn’t insane, at least… time to root out the good guys and network…

UPDATE: This blog is supposed to cover my personal and family life in an upbeat and lighthearted manner, so this will be the last post on the election. I will, however, add new comments under this story, as required, to keep my sanity. Continue reading “Democracy Has Failed” →

Politics aren’t all that is going on in my life – our kitchen has been a shambles the last couple weeks as we get the leaky dishwasher repaired and new tile installed; we are helping poor Owen fight off lymphoma as best we can; Reiley’s soccer championship is tomorrow; and both Wren and Reiley are cranking out unbelievable masterpieces in art class. Even so, the biggest issue of the moment is the upcoming presidential election. Andrea and I just cannot fathom why it is a dead heat. Anyway, more fuel for the fire…

My Uncle Chuck passed on an editorial about how we have to stand behind Bush now to show our strength. How scary. Here was my reponse:

Hey Uncle Chuck!

Thanks for sharing the editorial – that’s what makes democracy great, that we can all have dissenting opinions. No offense intended, but here’s a sampling of views closer to my own perspective, which of course in *MY* opinion, is closer to reality. :-) Give them a look over if you have time.

Neo-conservatism
as stated by the New American Century
(“straight from the horse’s mouth”, as they say)
A Humanist’s explanation of the current Imperialism
Unprecedented corruption goes to the very top of the chain of command
Garrison Keillor covers the bases
Inverted Totalitarianism

I agree that we’re dangerously close to setting a new precedent, but I see it as one of neo-conservative unilateral U.S. aggression across the globe. Ask anyone outside the U.S. for their perspective on this. You’ll find a lot of agreement.

It sure is shaping up to be an interesting election – I’ve heard “most important of our lives” more times than I can count. I know I’m glad to be involved.

Peace.

So we’ve got the New World Order (TM) brand imperialism on the march, and that should be enough to scare you straight to the polls. Can you imagine four more years of Bush (along with a Republican Congress) unrestrained by worries about getting re-elected?

Only one way to stay sane – keep a sense of humor going. But even that is tinged with far too much truth to laugh for long.

But there are just so many other ways to show the current administration as bumbling idiots, we Kerry fans are starting to wonder if the whole country’s gone bonkers. See the comments after the previous post for a viewpoint I sent to the local paper, on Bush’s wreckless spending, for example. Or, if you want one of those heart-felt emotional arguments, listen to a few of Bush’s own relatives pour out their hearts.

More notes as we move toward election day. Pretty much a dead heat – I don’t think I can take it much longer. I certainly can’t UNDERSTAND it. I’ve really been trying, too. Most Bush supporters I’ve talked to say…

“No handouts to anybody”

“I worked hard for my money and want to keep it”

“Free markets are the only way”

or they talk some nationalistic nonsense…

So, at the end of the day, my gut was right all along: selfish, shallow thinking rules our land. Is it the end of the run of this great land? I am still holding on to hope, but if Bush gets re-(sic) elected, it will be the saddest day of my life.

In the meantime, if you’re frustrated with your state’s situation, try hooking up with someone on the fence in a swing state, at VotePair. What a great idea!

Hang on for a wild ride, it’s getting nasty out there…

Salon broke a conspiracy-theory story about Bush being wired during the first presidential debate. Ever since hearing Matthew Broderick talk about working with Marlon Brando, and how he constantly used a wire through which his lines were read, I’ve figured Bush did the same. You’ve probably heard the story about the actual feed being broadcast over the air during a D-Day ceremony in France last June, discussed here. Maybe it’s all false. Doesn’t really matter, he’s no less scary with or without the earpiece.

BTW, Kerry is kicking his butt right now in the polls, and is set to kick his butt AGAIN, tonight, in the second debate. Whoop!

OK, so Kerry “won” the first debate, by most accounts. But I had really really high hopes for it, so perhaps that is why I feel a bit disappointed. I was surprised that Bush could even hold his ground – chalk it up to the watered-down format he insisted on, I guess.

What’s next:

Make sure your registration is up-to-date; you can check your NC status here.

There’s still time to vote by absentee ballot; call your county Board of Elections for details; in Wake county, NC, that’s (919) 856-6240.

VP debate, Oct. 5th, 2nd Presidential debate, Oct. 8th

Update 10/5/04: Wake County has a great setup where you can go directly to cast your absentee ballot.

Why do I feel so strongly about this election? Aren’t all politicians the same anyway? Let me sum up my dire concern with this quote from Garrison Keillor:

The concentration of wealth and power in the hands of the few is the death knell of democracy. No republic in the history of humanity has survived this. The election of 2004 will say something about what happens to ours. The omens are not good.

I love this country too much to idly watch it self-destruct. If you have watched us go from creation of a surplus under Clinton to projected record deficit in one short reckless term and don’t see the writing on the wall, well… enjoy your perks while you can…

Things You Can Do Right Now

Get informed! A few things to consider are below…

Make sure you’re registered to vote.

Get everyone else you can to register. Here’s $200,000 worth of incentive.

I’m considering sending in an absentee ballot, for two reasons: 1) We have an overseas adoption pending and I don’t want ANY chance of missing my chance to vote; 2) Earlier votes have a better chance of being counted in race predictions (which may cause people to give up)

This link will take you to a page I set up where you can donate to the DNC:

Points Of View To Consider

The Conservative Case Against George W. Bush
Garrison Keillor, the world’s most famous Lutheran, goes OFF
johnkerryisadouchebagbutimvotingforhimanyway
PBS covers the Budget Deficit Issue from both sides of the fence
Kerry’s Official Stance On ISSUES
“Our Plan For America” by John Kerry and John Edwards
Some high-ranking military officials and others including members of his own staff condemning Bush’s mismanagement of Iraq
A couple inside peeks into just how screwed up things are in Iraq
Better ways to spend the $144 BILLION we’ve spent on the war already
Damning statistics from Graydon Carter’s “What We’ve Lost”
The National Council of Churches outlines true Christian principles in an election year
including follow-up commentary
(Does this make Bush the Anti-Christ, or just another Pharisee?)
Michael Moore Attempts To Televise Farenheit 9/11 (with lively slashdot discussion)
Unprecedented Corruption:
A guide to conflict of interest
in the U.S. government
Bush in 30 seconds
Kerry lays down the bass!

UPDATE September 20th, 10pm: The Bush and Kerry campaigns reportedly agree to three presidential debates, on Sept. 30, Oct. 8 and Oct. 13. The Bush campaign denies a deal, but a source familiar with the negotiations says the agreement also calls for one vice presidential debate Oct. 5