Congratulations!

[rowyn]

I haven't written much about politics this year. Those who know me could guess that I'd vote for McCain, and I did. I voted mostly libertarian candidates otherwise, because I still believe that a smaller and less interventionist government would be better for America

Comments

[level_head]

Very well said, dear friend.

I agree with your analysis, and commend it.

===|==============/ Level Head

[rowyn]

Thank you, dear sir. I am pleased to hear it -- I feared you rather more pessimistic, after reading your posts of the past few days on economics and politics.

[level_head]

The dangers are quite real. But within our system is both the frustration of such aims by the sheer weight of bureaucracy, and the basic underlying principles that have worked very well for us so far

[terrycloth]

Doomsday Scenario: Mr. Obama rips off his rubber mask, revealing himself to be an alien lizard. The earth's water is siphoned into giant flying saucers, while its people are harvested for meat. Only a ragtag band of brave jihadi freedom fighters launching north korean nuclear warheads from iranian-built fighter jets can save humanity!

[deckardcanine]

I've imagined for years that a president (no real one in mind) would rip off his human mask either right after the election or at the podium on Inauguration Day -- possibly revealing a demon rather than an alien. This imagination was meant to be humorous, and I pictured the demon declaring that he would spend all the nation's money on himself. But your scenario is cleverer.

[rowyn]

There's something really catchy about the idea of a coalition of jihadists/North Korea/Iran to save mankind. Heh. I kind of like the idea of that set of protagonists who are clearly bad, but also clearly better than the alternative.

[jordangreywolf]

This reminds me of the first setting I'd heard of for Savage Worlds: "Necessary Evil."

The basic premise is that the big-shot superheroes of the world all take off to defend the Earth against an alien menace ... and get obliterated.

Now, all that's left to defend Earth would be all the supervillains. Because the alien menace can't be negotiated or allied with, and the supervillains who want to rule the world need to make sure there's still a world to rule, it's up to these guys to save the day (and then fight over what's left of the Earth later amongst themselves, no doubt).

[circuit_four]

I'll be honest. If McCain won, and then promptly reverted to his old style of politics once the heat of the campaign was off, I would've been in something like the place you're in: not thrilled, not convinced it was the best thing for America, but not scared or outraged.

The aggression of McCain's campaign -- and what I saw as a lot of empty generalizations about "socialism" and "terrorism" -- disturbed me greatly, but the only utter "flee to Canada, invest in firearms" deal-breaker for me for me was Sarah Palin.

McCain-style fiscal Republicans work contrary to my interests but don't frighten me -- and hey, same deal, would love to see top-down economics and a diplomatic hardline work, 'cause I want SOMTEHING to work. But Dominionists and prayer warriors of the Bob Larson breed scare the living hell out of me, as did the general lack of nuance in Palin's (notably rare) speech to the media.

I really appreciate your sense of balance right now, though, and you deserve hugs and more for it. More than anything else, I want the rancor

[rowyn]

I'd like an end to the rancor, too. The majority of my friends are liberal, so I think I'll probably get it, and I'll appreciate the respite in my personal life even if it doesn't extend to the rest of the country. :)

[bburnell]

"People with high incomes pay more taxes, people with middle incomes pay lower taxes, people with low incomes pay no tax at all and get subsidies from the government. This moves the US closer to income equality with no other side effects. The expansion of federal programs and public-works projects causes unemployment to fall, and these programs are run altruistically and efficiently, to the benefit of the public they're to serve."
- Unfortunately, history has shown socialism ("Spreading the wealth") never works.

I would add another scenario. All of the ticked off conservative Republicans, leave the GOP in droves and start a new party for conservatism with our leader, Sarah Palin.

Nice post though! :)

[rowyn]

Hee! Cute icon.

And no, I don't think socialism is an effective way of improving the lot of the poor, and I don't think the "tax credit" plans are going to do the trick either. But if by some quirk of fate, it actually worked this time, I wouldn't mind. :) I know some people who wouldn't like it even if it worked, but my own objection is pragmatism rather than principle.

[bburnell]

I don't think any scenario will make everyone happy. I do see a possibility of another civil war too. I hate to say that, but...

[deckardcanine]

In my habitual uncertainty, I'm vastly agreeing with you.

[rowyn]

Thank you. Uncertainty is something I've come to rely upon. :)