Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Song in my head

So, after seeing the results of today's election I have a song in my head. It goes something like this.

"I'd a writ you a letter, but I couldn't spell, "ppbbbbttththhht" and that's all I gotta say... that's all I gotta say."

That's how I feel about this election. I felt this way even before it started. I felt like all I had to choose from was the "evil of two lessers" at the polling location today... and that's a crappy way to feel.

7 comments:

spencer said...

I'm probably persona non grata around the family for a little bit, but I'll give you my take on the election anyway.

First, step back a bit and look at the historic nature of Obama's win. It's pretty huge. Try to imagine what it would be like to be an old black woman who lived through Jim Crow laws and terrible racism. Most of them never thought they'd see this day.

I'm not sure if Obama will be a good president, but I think he can be. Who knows what course he'll pursue, but I think he has a chance of being significantly better than Bush was.

Of course he may end up sucking, and I'll regret my vote. But I've regretted my votes in the last two elections for several years now.

If what you really wanted was a small government, social conservative candidate to vote for, I really think that the Republicans had to lose tonight in order to ever get any of that back. For the last eight to ten years they have been only about getting and maintaining power. In doing so they've expanded the size of government dramatically without paying for it (who's going to?). They never even put out a serious proposal about fixing social security so that you and I don't pay into it our whole lives just to have it go defunct when we hit our mid-sixties (the campaign promise I most hoped Bush would keep). And they've completely ignored any health care reform that would make it work better.

Upshot for me is that I hope the Republicans take this butt-kicking as a lesson to return to what made them popular. While I hope that Obama is serious about leading with integrity, if he does that, I'm not too worried about his policies.

Diana said...

I agree that this election is an historic milestone that should be celebrated. I'm happy that America can elect a black president! I really am. I find it unfortunate that this black president happens to be the most liberal member of the senate, but hey!

I agree that Bush has been a sucky president who has taken our country to an ugly place. I'm ticked that I voted for him too, but I couldn't have voted for Gore or Kerry with a good conscious either.

I agree that the Republicans are not the party that will bring us a smaller government. They had six years with a majority in House, Senate, and presidency and NOTHING happened. This is the reason I couldn't (and didn't) vote for McCain.

Maybe you're right, Spencer, and I hope you are. I do worry about how Obama and the democrat leaders in congress could further socialize the government while tanking the economy even faster than Bush policies managed to. My main "hope" with Obama in office is that his agenda will be made blatant enough that the American people will recognize the negative effects of socialism and make a better choice next time around. My second hope is that somewhere, somehow there is actually a better choice (who could actually win an election) for 2012.

Diana said...

I meant "good conscience", not conscious. Where's my edit button when I need it?!

spencer said...

I understand the fear of what an unchecked Democrat congress could do with a Democrat president. The Dems will have 56-57 senators. That means the Republicans will have a lot of opportunity to tie up bills with filibusters, and they'll be motivated to do so as the opposition party.

Give into your hope, it feels a lot better than the fear.

This country is strong enough to survive a bad Obama presidency. We've survived 8 years of Bush and 8 years of Clinton.

Diana said...

At least the dems don't have 60 senators!!! I was worried about a filibuster proof congress!

Rachelle@atticgals.blogspot.com said...

I agree with you my friend. I gave up on this presidential election months ago. I am completely frustrated. On a happier side, we saints are joyful here in CA because of the passing of prop 8. It was A LOT of work, and things got really nasty and scary. Yesterday I was SO depressed and really didn't think it had a chance, and so we are all grateful today to see that it passed. It is really a miracle in liberal CA, and I can see that the Lord has his hands in things and we are not abandoned. I know you are not in CA, but the passing of prop. 8 is good for all the saints and for conservatives all over this great nation. If you can't be happy about the presidential election, at least find a bit of joy in our victory here (even if the courts overturn it - again - as they are threatening.) Carry on!

Emily said...

Thanks for talking with me about the election yesterday and other issues. It was nice to talk to someone who doesn't think I am going to hell for what I think...even if we don't always agree. :)