I was amused to read 6 or 7 half hearted attempts by mainstream journalists to try to lead Bushco into a more "centrist stance" for his second term. Jonathan Alter, Fareed Zakaria - the whole Newsweek crowd, and a number of them at the Washington Post as well - all make mention of how second terms are about legacies, and how the administration has an interest in reaching out.
It's automatic writing - they bring no evidence that it will happen, and the best they can muster is that maybe external events will "constrain" Bushco.
Not happening. Bushco has no incentive to do anything other than push the combination of big business economic interests combined with business-harmless "values" issues. But these journalists are now the ones in the precarious situation. Their irresponsibility in accepting the administration's statements and framing of issues have contributed to the arrogance that will greatly increase the USA's impoverishment and decline. They know it, but now they are the ones who have to find some way of rationalizing what is happening.
And - what is happening? Today's developments ... a big stock market rally continues, and oil has fallen, though slighly. I'm thinking that my 401(k) stuff can be tweaked into more international funds in January before the inauguration, before reality sets in. I've sworn off cable news, but I did watch some CNBC this morning and what stuck in my mind was a merry CEO of some aluminum company. His wish is for a simplification (reduction) of his tax burden. But not for here - his enthusiasm was all for his new aluminum factory. In China. He will be taking his tax savings out of the US to invest in China. Bush supporters, this is your fault.
[Update]
I meant to mention as well that the administration is determined to change social security benefits to force recipients to invest in the stock market. This is to be done by cutting guaranteed benefits and forcing people to work until age 70. As this will not provide sufficient funds, and the younger Americans (i.e. under 45) who will be forced to participate either have no other retirement plan (since the new jobs created often do not carry benefits) or cannot save enough to support themselves, there will be a legion of impoverished old people in the US's future.
On the bright side: I worried so much about this election that I lost two pounds over it. What about you?