Up too late watching US election results...

[stresskitten]

I'm pleased to see President Obama. I think it's a much better choice for the US right now than McCain would have been. I just hope that the huge levels of faith people have put in him, and the high expectations they hold for him are not going to dissolve into bitterness and anger when some of those lofty campaign ideals run head-long into the political process and die.

That said... he has inspired more hope inside and outside the US than I've seen for a long time. A belief that the US might actually have a chance at being the world leader it likes to think of itself as. For all our sakes, I hope things move in that direction. Otherwise, I really think the US empire is poised to start to collapse, like so many other empires before it.

I was sad to see that the bans on gay marriage and gay adoption appear to have passed in all the states that brought them to the ballot. On the positive end of things, all attempts to limit abortion were shot down. And physician-assisted suicide was passed in Washington... as was medicinal marijuana in Michigan.

I really hope there isn't too much bitterness in the wake of this debacle... although there's bound to be some. It was too hotly contested not to leave a nasty taste in people's mouths. But every "in your FACE, Republicans!" and "just you wait to see how badly he screws it up!" runs head-first into the problem that every one who lives in the US is a citizen there. Reactions like that do nothing more than widen the divide... those who voted Republican frequently did so with forethought and having examined the issues and made the choice they felt was best, for them and for the country. Many who voted Democrat are no doubt brainless idiots, just as prejudiced as the yokel-voters who voted for McCain, though neither group would see themselves as such. Neither side has a monopoly on stupid... and I'd rather see a presidency that can bring the country together, preferably away from any theocratic tendencies, rather than see it driven farther apart.

Good luck, America. You're going to need it. I will be observing the next four years with interest.

Comments

[unselighe.livejournal.com]

Well spoken written.

[unselighe.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I linked to this. :)

[stress-kitten.livejournal.com]

*blushes* Thank you.