It's 4:00 a.m. and I'm not going to sleep until I ask you this. I have an important question for those of you currently roaming around on Daily Kos.
Much is being said of how we are going to win. And we're hearing all about how we are already winning. And we're constantly being reminded of why it is so important that we win.
But what if we lose? Can it really get any worse? Dare I ask?
I don't hear many people asking this question. I think many of us are afraid to. We are staking so much on winning this election that we are deliberately ignoring the pain of speculating that we might get ripped off again and stuck with these freaky republicans in power for another two years... it's too much to bear. So we invest ourselves in our work, and supporting and rooting for good people like Lamont, Tester, and Busby. For most of us, our persevering belief that America will make a good decision is made possible by our very
faith in the idea that the Left
will win, and that we will therefore never have to bear witness to the unthinkable new crimes and tragedies that will continue to unfold if the Republicans retain control of the Congressional Rubber Stamp and Pansy Factory.
...breathes.
I understand the fear in speculating about the worst case scenario, but I still think it's a valid question, and one we have to face if we are to define ourselves as Democrats, and as liberals. What do we really expect to happen? Like, issue by issue? What can go wrong in two more years of Bush with a Rubber Stamp? Will Roe fall? Will the feds start arresting dissenters? Like, openly, and in full, plain, and obvious view of the apathetic and/or cheering American people? Will there be a draft? Where will gas prices go? Stop laughing... how far up will they go and how badly will it affect our economy? Global warming? What happens if there is another terrorist attack? How about this Iran-thing? And the North Korea-thing? Not to mention China, although China's technically not a thing yet.
Or maybe positive things will happen. Will Dick Cheney die of alcohol poisoning at a crayzay Republican election night victory party at his undisclosed location? Will the undisclosed location be revealed as Osama's Cave, thereby thrusting the 9.11 conspiracy theorists into the limelight, where they will grin with satisfaction, muttering "I TOLD YA SO! I TOLD YA SO!" Will there be a second SUCCESSFUL presidential pretzel attack?! Will Ann Coulter come out of the closet and finally admit it: "Yes, I am an evil robot that subsists on the delicious flesh of human babies." Will there be...... **RAPTURE?!** ** * ???!!!!
Sorry, it's late. My mind is wandering.
What about Iraq?
Jobs. Healthcare. The debt. Education. Immigration. Taxes. Censorship. Corruption. Executive power.
What will we have to hope for? How will we dust ourselves off after a November loss and say, "oh well, we lost again, but doggone it, maybe we'll win next time." Especially after that's what we said last time and the time before that and the time before that.
Soooooooo. Hypothetically, what happens if we lose in 2006?
Seriously, I don't know. I'm curious. How bad can it be? Can you tell me? Please leave comments and let's figure this out. I want to see a page full of comforting solutions and pragmatic backup plans and idealistic adrenaline when I wake up tomorrow.
Good night from Isla Vista, California.