06 NOV 04
It's amazing how people (even supposed political gurus) manage to misinterpret this election.
The Republicans won, and they think that entitles them to bipartisan support. They think that means the public approves of them. They think we approve of the neo-con philosophy.
The Democrats think that the election was stolen. They think they failed to sufficiently motivate their base, and resolve to try harder next time. They think the big issue was 'values'.
All of it is flat-out wrong. Well, maybe not the 'stolen' part, but it wouldn't have happened if Kerry was more popular.
06 NOV 04
It's amazing how people (even supposed political gurus) manage to misinterpret this election.
The Republicans won, and they think that entitles them to bipartisan support. They think that means the public approves of them. They think we approve of the neo-con philosophy.
The Democrats think that the election was stolen. They think they failed to sufficiently motivate their base, and resolve to try harder next time. They think the big issue was 'values'.
All of it is flat-out wrong. Well, maybe not the 'stolen' part, but it wouldn't have happened if Kerry was more popular.
We are constantly bombarded with pictures of America dissected into red and blue. We are shown partisan patchwork, as if to imply Georgia is populated exclusively by redneck-truck drivin'-country music lovin-homophobic-xenophobic-bible thumpers. Massachussets is peopled by tax and spend-communist-immoral-baby killers.
We see that and interpret it as a call to convert more 'blue' people from the ignorant, unenlightened 'red' people.
In truth, the U.S. is filled with 'purple' people who don't fully agree with either camp. The map is useful, however, because it shows where the battle-lines are drawn: the suburbs.
Understanding the American political cultural war requires only one concept: population density.
People who come into contact with many other people are overwhelmingly Democrat. They believe in appreciating their differences, working together for the common good, and tolerance.
People who interact with fewer people are Republican. They believe in spirituality, a strong distrust of outsiders, and self-reliance.
Most of America falls within these two extremes.
The Republicans have a unique advantage in American political discourse: they are ashamed of their own motives. That allows them to nominate outwardly moderate candidates and platforms, while secretly applauding their narrow-minded goals.
The Democratic zeal for their idealism is their downfall. They are very proud of their goals, and share them openly. They deride anyone who disagrees as a zealot.
And they routinely nominate the most liberal candidate they can find.
'Purple' America is left with a difficult choice: An outwardly moderate conservative we don't trust, or an outwardly liberal progressive.
This year, all too many of us chose the former.
I'm content to let the neo-cons choke on their own success. No doubt they'll nominate Jeb Bush in '08. If the Democrats have any sense, they'll take advantage of the opportunity.
My advice to any KOSsacks who may be reading this:
You can do everything you want if you just learn to couch it in moderate terms. Your moderate candidate and platform are your key to enacting your progressive agenda.
-Gay marriage: NO,NO,NO!!!
It's called "Somebody get the government outta my church!"
-Gun control: NO, NO, NO!!!
Feel free to require measures that keep guns out of the hands of criminals, but nobody else. Your battle cry: "Why does the Republican party promote lawlessness?"
-Fiscal responsibility:
"I thought conservatives were supposed to be able to balance a budget...guess what? We can do it better"
-Abortion: Clinton had it right; Safe, legal, and rare.
-Flat tax: Promote it yourselves. No loopholes, less government (and rich people will have to, you know, actually pay their fair share)...
-International relations: Kerry had the right message, but no credibility. The new message: We fight for the good of America, not our oil companies.
You get the idea. Progress through patience...