While I agree celebrations are in order, and we the people have apparently regained some control of our destiny, I still will not be celebrating today, although every candidate I voted for won. I won't be celebrating because yesterday I finally realized what the fundamental disconnect was in my case, and in the case of MILLIONS of other americans.
We are not apathetic. we are not unpatriotic...we are trying to survive, and until/unless you have been in survival mode for a year or two, you probably won't understand this diary, and will regard me as an old curmudgeon raining on your parade.
When you are among the 48+ million uninsured, or the uncounted under-employed, facing health issues or loss of a home or farm, working 12+ hours a day 7 days a week 52 weeks a year, you slip into a "survival" mindset. from this mindset, any action, by any person that that is contra-survival (going out to dinner, expensive frivolous purchases, etc) or anti-survival (a local ordinance forbidding wood burning in rural areas, ordinances against solar panels and wind mills), seems beyond ridiculous.
Likewise with national and global issues... worrying about gay marriage (which I support)when we are 5 minutes from global polical suicide seems equally ridiculous. I don't care about political fights, partisan politics, or WHO won the election. I DON'T HAVE THE ENERGY. and I'm not alone.
Sorry to rant or rain on your parade, but this election won't be "over" until a substantial fraction of the american populace can switch out of survival mode, and start once again having dreams that don't have a nightmarish quality to them which is mirrored in their daily lives.
This election is not over until the patriot act is repealed.
This election is not over while medicare part D(iaster) is still in effect.
This election is not over while sustainability funding is a joke....
I sincerely hope that you never have to live in survival mode, and I don't expect those of you who haven't lived here to understand, but it's real, and it's huge, and it's crippling...
sorry.
Farmerchuck