Legitimacy

[c9]

I don't understand it. If we work on the basis that the voting machines worked properly and all that, then Bush is now legitimate. The Republicans increased the number of Senate seats, increased the number of House seats, they have a majority of the state Governors, and Bush even won the popular vote.

How is it that the entire western world, minus the USA, has one incredibly strong opinion about the facts and the direction of policy, and the USA has one that's so different? And more importantly, how will the world look four years from now? Bush's team has already dismantled 30 years of environmental protection laws, destroyed the fiscal stability of their country, destroyed the political stability of Iraq, ... again and again, reality outpaces satire.

Comments

[bartok.livejournal.com]

I'm more surprised that people seem so surprised by the results of this election. I mean, we're talking about the country that elected Nixon, Reagan, and Bush Sr. here.

[nihilicious.livejournal.com]

It's true, I have to admit that until a weeke ago I was convinced this would be the outcome. But in the last stretch it really seemed like Kerry could make something of it.

[bartok.livejournal.com]

well, I think he did. I mean, before the debates I would have expected it to be even more of a Bush vistory. Kerry did well in getting this close at all.

So, Hillary in '08? Or should they start courting Oprah?

[scott8424.livejournal.com]

Hillary in '08? Definitely, if a more decisive Republican win is your goal.

[bartok.livejournal.com]

yeah, I was feeling the sarcasm as I wrote it. I think if they go for a female candidate it should be either Oprah or Dolly Parton. What's sad is I'm only half kidding.

[scott8424.livejournal.com]

Well you know Dolly might actually carry some of the South. Not a bad idea.

[bartok.livejournal.com]

I thought the exact same thing this morning. And I doubt the woman could do worse than Bush. Plus if she sang during her addresses to the nation it would take a little out of the sting of Survivor being pre-empted.

[nihilicious.livejournal.com]

Yeah, as much as I like Hillary Clinton I see her more of the "Wouldn't it be neat if ..." candidate who gets a lot of attention but never really makes the cut (think Libby Dole.)

[putaindemerde.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I'm not surprised. But I am completely disappointed. I knew before the results even started coming in that this would be the outcome. You couldn't help but be hopeful, though...

Eh, I'm good at getting my hopes up and then getting smacked in the back of the head... when will I learn? LOL :-(

[sixr18.livejournal.com]

B/c most Americans are Ignorant!

[leapfish.livejournal.com]

What makes you think that all of the world shares one opinion? That's obviously not true, by the presence/absence of Western countries in Iraq. There are people violently opposed to American policy (Al Queda comes to mind), those generally not supportive (France, Canada) and those who support in general (Portugal, UK, Spain).

[c9.livejournal.com]

Very true. In general though, a poll of non-Americans would show strong Kerry support, and the election showed decently strong Bush support. Obviously the generalization doesn't carry too far, but it still boggles the mind slightly. Even if I changed it to a comparison of the G7-USA vs USA...

[nihilicious.livejournal.com]

I agree with that general point. But I think you put the UK in the wrong column, if you consider popular support as opposed to official support. Also, does Spain still belong in the pro-USA column? I haven't paid too much attention but I'm pretty sure they pulled out of the USA camp after their last election.

[simplisticton.livejournal.com]

I expected a GOP win, but I wasn't expecting them to win the popular vote. That blows my mind. I really thought that in urban America, Bush would get nothing.

[sisyphus238.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking it may be time to consider the formation of an underground railroad.
This election feels like the prelude to a dream I had a few years ago in which the religious right had taken over and had started rounding up all the homosexuals. I was in one of several trucks that belonged to the resistance.

[c9.livejournal.com]

As a friend pointed out, it's possible to get from all the blue states to Canada without going through any red states. Convenient!

(do you have a saleable skill? immigration isn't too tough, for those who are interested...)

[sisyphus238.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately I have only a degree in fine art and currently deliver picture framing supplies. I think we're pretty safe here though (for now).