My candidate did not win the election for President of The United
States of America last night. However, George W. Bush won fair and
square. Today media outlets (both mainstream and blogs) feature two
types of people.
The first type say: "The election is over. Now is the time for the end to partisanship. We need to reach across the aisle."
The second type say: "I can't believe my candidate lost! His party is doomed. I am moving to Canada!"
Both of these arguments are idiotic. The first is simply naive. Of course it is not time to "reach across the aisle". My candidate just lost. We cannot afford to compromise right now. I expect his party to fight tooth and nail for every inch of political ground. This way we have less ground to win back next election.
The second argument is cowardly and dangerous. If the opponents of the current establishment all flee then no one will be here to argue their case. The establishment will stand in perpetuity. They have a duty to stay and convince their countrymen that there is a better way. Say what you will about Evangelical Christians, but they are not afraid to try and convince you they are right.
Finally: I have to say Hail to the Chief. I do not like the President that my countrymen have chosen, but the election results clearly show that they chose him in accordance with the Constitution of these United States. As such I must respect and acknowledge his office. Of course I will oppose most of his policies tooth and nail, I will call my congresspeople and ask them to vote against bills, I may even protest. But I am sick of this "not my president" shit. As far as the US is concerned he is everyone's president. If you voted against him you are in the minority and you need to respect the fact that a clear majority of people in this country voted for him. Otherwise you need to find some other system of government and you had better think hard because "Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those others that have been tried."
The first type say: "The election is over. Now is the time for the end to partisanship. We need to reach across the aisle."
The second type say: "I can't believe my candidate lost! His party is doomed. I am moving to Canada!"
Both of these arguments are idiotic. The first is simply naive. Of course it is not time to "reach across the aisle". My candidate just lost. We cannot afford to compromise right now. I expect his party to fight tooth and nail for every inch of political ground. This way we have less ground to win back next election.
The second argument is cowardly and dangerous. If the opponents of the current establishment all flee then no one will be here to argue their case. The establishment will stand in perpetuity. They have a duty to stay and convince their countrymen that there is a better way. Say what you will about Evangelical Christians, but they are not afraid to try and convince you they are right.
Finally: I have to say Hail to the Chief. I do not like the President that my countrymen have chosen, but the election results clearly show that they chose him in accordance with the Constitution of these United States. As such I must respect and acknowledge his office. Of course I will oppose most of his policies tooth and nail, I will call my congresspeople and ask them to vote against bills, I may even protest. But I am sick of this "not my president" shit. As far as the US is concerned he is everyone's president. If you voted against him you are in the minority and you need to respect the fact that a clear majority of people in this country voted for him. Otherwise you need to find some other system of government and you had better think hard because "Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those others that have been tried."
