Calling all liberals, democrats, and realists.
Okay.
Earlier I was being kind of crazy with the whole Pledge of Allegiance, but I have been stimulated to write an entry based on why we should continue to fight hard for what we want in this country, thanks in part to the fabulous comedian and activist, Bill Mahr.
Any closeminded, contradictory, or irrationally based comments need not apply.
Okay democrats, here we are. Losers. Right? Wrong.
As much as I would love to argue that George W. Bush should not be in the White House anymore, I cannot. Because obviously someone, (51% of the nation of someones) wanted him back in office. As much as I think they are nuts and they contradict everything I stand for, it's a fact. So democrats/liberals, buck up. Mumble, weep, grovel, attack, debate, and then stop. What are you mumbling, weeping, groveling, attacking and debating about? None of those actions accomplish anything for the good of anyone. Personally, after the election I was steamed, disappointed, hurt and surprised (in no particular order) and then I cried. But now? Now I am moving on past the limbo stage between fighting for something and being devastated to have lost.
Here's the deal. Everyone who hates Bush has joked about moving to Canada(myself included), and while it seems to be an viable option, what does that do for the people we have fought so hard to represent? Should they have to watch us give up and run from the problem? It certainly does not stimulate hope. Which is what it's all about. Hope for a better tomorrow. Hope for your kids to grow up in a safe, succesful, and stable country. Hope for the working class to make the money they need to provide for their families. Hope for rationality and scientific advancements.
As a far left liberal, I am very open minded to new ideas that will bring our country forward. Scientifically, economically, environmentally. But how can we move anything forward if we give up? And who will be to blame when republicans take over the senate, house, and supreme court entirely? You guessed it, us.
So if you are thinking of moving to Canada, be a realist please. In order to escape the demons of politics, you would have to just kill yourself, because they exist everywhere. Whether it is a third world country, a country run by a royal family, or a country with more than one internet. (Sorry, it's hard for me to remain serious for an extended period of time without letting any of my sarcasm slip)
I am going to quote Bill Mahr, because he gives me hope in the future of activism and freedom of speech.
"Bush getting reelected isn't a reason for liberals to leave the country, it's a reason for them to stay."
So in order to create a country with democratic ideals, we have to work for it. So every minute you spend bashing the president (which I frequently participate in) spend twice that time educating yourself on what you think you already know. Spend that time volunteering for a good cause that benefits the good of the everyone. Spend that time helping to educate the middle of the road person with factual information instead of just hatred for your opposition.
For that is what democracy is, (definition per dictionary.com) The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community. So whether you are a right or left wing extremist, it is still vital to excercise your rights of social equality in your community and respect others whether or not their opinions are synonomous to yours.
In closing, I first want to tell you all how proud I am of the young Americans coming together for the good of something. Even if you voted based on irrelevent reasons, the fact that you excercised your right as an American citizen is more than we can say for alot of adults. Secondly, don't give up. Fight for what you believe in, but do it in a way that welcomes people from either side. By continuing the hate and division in this nation, it is only going to be harder for us as the next generation to recruit people if we think its okay to denegrate what they stand for. Finally, get out the vote. Get out the message of what we really stand for. Get out the power we represent if we can grow and change as a UNITED nation. Do your part to keep this country together, even if you don't respect what we currently stand for in the world. In doing so, you show people compassion, stamina, open mindedness, and proof that in any numbers, large or small, we can make a difference in some way. Help your neighbor, support a gay community member, fundraise for a charitable organization, donate time and money to people in need.
It is vital at this time that we come together and show people what we are really made of. If you think we have lost this election, then you are not strong enough to accept failure and learn from it. This isn't a race for an election, or a race for the white house, but rather a slow process that cannot be completed overnight, in four years, or even in our lifetime.
A race has an ending, and we do not.
Earlier I was being kind of crazy with the whole Pledge of Allegiance, but I have been stimulated to write an entry based on why we should continue to fight hard for what we want in this country, thanks in part to the fabulous comedian and activist, Bill Mahr.
Any closeminded, contradictory, or irrationally based comments need not apply.
Okay democrats, here we are. Losers. Right? Wrong.
As much as I would love to argue that George W. Bush should not be in the White House anymore, I cannot. Because obviously someone, (51% of the nation of someones) wanted him back in office. As much as I think they are nuts and they contradict everything I stand for, it's a fact. So democrats/liberals, buck up. Mumble, weep, grovel, attack, debate, and then stop. What are you mumbling, weeping, groveling, attacking and debating about? None of those actions accomplish anything for the good of anyone. Personally, after the election I was steamed, disappointed, hurt and surprised (in no particular order) and then I cried. But now? Now I am moving on past the limbo stage between fighting for something and being devastated to have lost.
Here's the deal. Everyone who hates Bush has joked about moving to Canada(myself included), and while it seems to be an viable option, what does that do for the people we have fought so hard to represent? Should they have to watch us give up and run from the problem? It certainly does not stimulate hope. Which is what it's all about. Hope for a better tomorrow. Hope for your kids to grow up in a safe, succesful, and stable country. Hope for the working class to make the money they need to provide for their families. Hope for rationality and scientific advancements.
As a far left liberal, I am very open minded to new ideas that will bring our country forward. Scientifically, economically, environmentally. But how can we move anything forward if we give up? And who will be to blame when republicans take over the senate, house, and supreme court entirely? You guessed it, us.
So if you are thinking of moving to Canada, be a realist please. In order to escape the demons of politics, you would have to just kill yourself, because they exist everywhere. Whether it is a third world country, a country run by a royal family, or a country with more than one internet. (Sorry, it's hard for me to remain serious for an extended period of time without letting any of my sarcasm slip)
I am going to quote Bill Mahr, because he gives me hope in the future of activism and freedom of speech.
"Bush getting reelected isn't a reason for liberals to leave the country, it's a reason for them to stay."
So in order to create a country with democratic ideals, we have to work for it. So every minute you spend bashing the president (which I frequently participate in) spend twice that time educating yourself on what you think you already know. Spend that time volunteering for a good cause that benefits the good of the everyone. Spend that time helping to educate the middle of the road person with factual information instead of just hatred for your opposition.
For that is what democracy is, (definition per dictionary.com) The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community. So whether you are a right or left wing extremist, it is still vital to excercise your rights of social equality in your community and respect others whether or not their opinions are synonomous to yours.
In closing, I first want to tell you all how proud I am of the young Americans coming together for the good of something. Even if you voted based on irrelevent reasons, the fact that you excercised your right as an American citizen is more than we can say for alot of adults. Secondly, don't give up. Fight for what you believe in, but do it in a way that welcomes people from either side. By continuing the hate and division in this nation, it is only going to be harder for us as the next generation to recruit people if we think its okay to denegrate what they stand for. Finally, get out the vote. Get out the message of what we really stand for. Get out the power we represent if we can grow and change as a UNITED nation. Do your part to keep this country together, even if you don't respect what we currently stand for in the world. In doing so, you show people compassion, stamina, open mindedness, and proof that in any numbers, large or small, we can make a difference in some way. Help your neighbor, support a gay community member, fundraise for a charitable organization, donate time and money to people in need.
It is vital at this time that we come together and show people what we are really made of. If you think we have lost this election, then you are not strong enough to accept failure and learn from it. This isn't a race for an election, or a race for the white house, but rather a slow process that cannot be completed overnight, in four years, or even in our lifetime.
A race has an ending, and we do not.