Election postmortem

[kellinator]

No, I'm not cut-tagging it. Deal.

The election is over. (And not a minute too soon.)

I volunteered for President-Elect Obama's campaign. I haven't posted anything on LJ about phone-banking for Obama, or canvassing in North Carolina for Obama, because apparently I've decided to let everyone on LJ bully me into censoring myself, but some of the stuff I've seen on LJ this morning... I have to say something.

I have seen several lovely, heartfelt posts this morning that echo Senator McCain's dignified and generous concession speech last night, from people who realize that first and foremost we are all Americans and are willing to give Obama a chance. And I have seen, and not just on LJ, some crazy shit. Bread lines? "Spreading the wealth" as taking money from people who themselves are hurting? Conservatives saying "don't worry, he'll get killed"? Really? There's something called the American ideological consensus, which basically means that the two parties are really a lot closer to the center than anyone gives them credit for. What's up with the Red Terror? We've survived a civil war, two world wars, and a whole lot of other shit; do you really think Obama's election is going to destroy the country? Hell, we all know how I feel about W, and he still hasn't destroyed the country. Can we give America a little more credit?

And here's something I really don't get: So many Republicans say Democrats are lazy and want the government to do everything for them, and then we Obama supporters decide to take responsibility ourselves for what's going on in the nation and get involved, and then the Republicans say that we're in a cult and have clearly been hypnotized and can't think for ourselves. That is an insult to me as an American. (And where were these people when the documentary Jesus Camp showed children praying to cardboard cutouts of W? If that doesn't say "cult," I'm not sure what does.)

The thing that really moves me about Obama is he talks about us, all of us, the United States of America. What's so bad about the country working together to improve things? It's what Americans have done in the toughest times. Can we set aside this partisan insanity and just be Americans for a while, give it a try? If you try it and don't like it, well, then you'll know for the next election.

Also: I am completely pissed off over all the votes for homophobia. I'm just ill.

If you feel the need to defriend me over this post, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

Comments

[weaktwos.livejournal.com]

Amen, sister!

[leezechka.livejournal.com]

well said!

[elena23.livejournal.com]

All the bile and vitriol seems so useless to me. When it comes right down to it, we generally all want the same things. We all want people to be happy. We all want people to be healthy. We all want clean, cheap, renewable energy and a clean planet. We want all babies to be born healthy and wanted. We all want an unlimited supply of squishy yarn...

Okay, the last one maybe not everyone.

I'd have to defriend a lot of people on my list if I did so simply because they didn't agree with my political viewpoint. And then what kind of discourse would I be left with? How can we possibly grow if nobody ever challenges our beliefs?

[heathrow.livejournal.com]

You are so right, including the yarn!

[mamomo.livejournal.com]

THIS!

We put up with 8 miserable years of Bush. We were vocal in our disgust with his administration, and the far right told us to shut up and turned 'liberal' into a bad word. Now they lost and they won't stop whining about it and spewing hate. They don't have to like Obama, but they can at least be constructive in their disappointment. I'm so tired of their hypocrisy and blatant disregard for others.

[godessillyria.livejournal.com]

Amen, amen my sister.

Yes we can. Yes we did!!!

[pridesfoe.livejournal.com]

People say as American as Apple Pie, when in reality it should be as American as Debate. Its one thing to engage in discussion of policy, ideology and theory. Its another to actually use bigotted, ignorant ideas to spread hate and fear. Im with you on this one. I have no problems with republicans that can defend their ideology in an intelligent and amicable manner (which id like to think, is the majority of republicans). I do have an issue with republicans that don't know what they are talking about, can't tell the difference between left, right and center, can't tell the difference between socialism, communism and totalitarianism and still pretend to impose their will as if its divine.

[reannon.livejournal.com]

Good for you, dear! I've been wondering about your silence as things went onward. Stop letting people silence you! I miss your voice, and I'm sure I'm not alone!

[sage-and-sea.livejournal.com]

This +a brazillion!

[stormkitty.livejournal.com]

Amen!

I'm struggling with the same thing over on Facebook. I have friends from high school who are so entrenched in their religious beliefs that they are now spewing hatred in their messages. Granted, I'm right there reminding them about what the Bible actually says about God's will and such.

Here's hoping we can heal as a country and heal our presence in the world.

[morven.livejournal.com]

**Support!!***

[heathrow.livejournal.com]

So much love.

[raistlinbrown.livejournal.com]

You know I'm with you.

And thank you for working on the campaign. :- )

[phinnia.livejournal.com]

THANK YOU.

[polychromatic22.livejournal.com]

*hugs* and huge support.

[blackacre.livejournal.com]

And here's something I really don't get: So many Republicans say Democrats are lazy and want the government to do everything for them, and then we Obama supporters decide to take responsibility ourselves for what's going on in the nation and get involved, and then the Republicans say that we're in a cult and have clearly been hypnotized and can't think for ourselves. That is an insult to me as an American.

Bingo.

Browsing twitter and facebook at the moment is one part infuriating and one part amusing. I'm seeing messages that are clearly made up (someone claiming they got a death threat from a friend for voting mccain...please) and others that are just plain ignorant, if not horribly ironic (i.e. "..apparently we have learned nothing from history, special thanks goes out to the public school system." I mean, where to start with that one.) Most of what I am seeing is just mean spirited. Its just...telling.

[jerel.livejournal.com]

we have learned nothing from history, special thanks goes out to the public school system.

Well, these days if kids aren't being tested on it, it doesn't get taught. Or it gets taught in a very abridged form. So yeah, it is hard to learn from history--when you don't have time for it.

[blackacre.livejournal.com]

That's actually not even relevant to his comment; this is someone who has been saying for MONTHS that everyone is "drinking Obama kool aid" and the implication is that anyone who voted for him is ignorant. There are many ironies/problems with his statement: 1. Its elitist (said person also bitches about "liberal elite" 2. This person also went to public school 3. If history would teach us ANYTHING about revolutionary changes like this (or at least a potential one, in all fairness) is that things have taken a positive step.

Um, wtf?

[adric]

Who in the holy fuck are you reading (before coffee?) and why ?

Cheerfully I haven't seen any of this crap. Otoh, a lil picture of the 44 presidents is circulating widely and it's pretty cute.

Cheers. Oh, and CA should go on strike. *shrug*

[kth-dragon.livejournal.com]

*hug* I'm still here, and you can totally post whatever you feel like. I like hearing from you. ^..^

[notgruntled.livejournal.com]

There are some people who can't get out of bed in the morning unless they have some sense of hyperdrama. Those are the folks who are ranting about the End Of America As We Know It with Obama's election. They're like the guys in the shipping office in that Fed-Ex commercial: "We're DOOMED!"

In all fairness, we have those folks on the left, too. Has Alec Baldwin moved to Canada yet?

[salomes-pimp.livejournal.com]

*standing ovation!*

[scarcrest.livejournal.com]

Good for you. I'm jealous of those who can take a more active role in the political process than my job allows me to do. I'm proud of you for stepping up.

[meemeedarling.livejournal.com]

HELL YES!

Also, thank you VERY much for your work in the campaign.

[ilexx.livejournal.com]

Dude. Can I like, RE-friend you, about fifty times, over this post?

[sirinek.livejournal.com]

I booted the Bush supporters off my FL after 2004. But then I'm hardly on LJ anymore so it doesnt matter to me. Glad to hear you volunteered! That's awesome :)

[mizdandylynn.livejournal.com]

As you know... I did not support Obama. And that is all I can say for that. I had my reasons, just as you had yours for supporting. I have no sour grapes about his win. I hope we can all move forward and that my greatest fears are all in my mind and not in fact.
I do not agree with the sentiments you parsed that have been said about Democrats/liberals. Any more than I agree with many sentiments that all Republicans/conservatives (to give all of the labels loosely) oppose abortion, gay unions,that we use church and guns as a crutch for our crazed beliefs. I have heard both sides and oppose them both. None are that cut and dried.
We are all Americans... I hope and pray we can and will survive this latest blitz of the media to fragment us.

[jerel.livejournal.com]

Yes. This.

My mother voted McCain, and her attitude is one of "well, let's wait and see how he does." She didn't dislike Obama; she just agreed with McCain more. I think McCain would be ashamed to hear what some of his supporters are saying. And you know what? If you really believe in your man (McCain), then you'll follow his advice and stand behind the new President.

I worked outside a polling place yesterday, telling people to vote no on 2. If people had read the rest of the amendment, they would understand what they were really voting against. But no. The Say Yes people got it into people's heads that this was about gay marriage. I'm still trying to understand why it's anyone's business who someone chooses to live with, and how those two people choose to define their relationship. But oh no, apparently this endangers my marriage. Because gays will come into my house and make me get a divorce!!!

[artricia.livejournal.com]

I'm proud of you for working on the campaign, and glad you posted this without a cut. Speak, speak!

[stevenglassman.livejournal.com]

::applause::

[whiskey-man.livejournal.com]

I didn't volunteer at all this election, so it's great that you did. I did have to ask my brother what was wrong with Virginia early on. Had to get reminded that the northern part of the state got counted later.

[spikepage.livejournal.com]

Kelly I'd been wondering what you had been up to politically since we last saw you at the Hillary function. Anyway I totally agree with all you said (in spite of the fact that I confess to having voted McCain..but that's not for here or now). I'm happy for President-elect Obama and am even happier to note that even here in the bastion of redneck-country, the results of the election were accepted with no real uproar beyond the occasional grumblings of some disgruntled jackass who still sees Commies beneath his bed.

Still..those asshats ARE out there...and they do seem to attract the spotlight..but they are NOT the vocal majority they'd like to believe they are.

[ariedana.livejournal.com]

I've spent too much time away from LJ and RSS feeds, because I missed this. But than you for saying this and for volunteering and being awesome. I'm having trouble feeling the joy (for a post of my own) so it makes me feel good that you do.

[not-hothead-yet.livejournal.com]

I voted for Barr because his platform spoke to me more than Obama's did. OTOH, I knew Obama would win with no problem. I didn't think McCain would be as bad as some Dems did and I certainly dont' think Obama will be as bad as the Repubs say.

But you know I go on Hannity.com forums and the vitriol is worse than anyone here probably knows. Thread after thread about red herrings like the birth certificate, thread after thread with fear-mongering like "he's a secret muslim" and "he has goon squads to silence the opposition" holyfuckme! it was outrageous. and the worst part? The neo-con jackasses keep saying "after 8 years of vitriol from libs about Bush, we're ALLOWED"

Yeah right, you're allowed to be assholes and liars about someone who ISN'T EVEN ELECTED YET because you had to face the truth about your man Bush WHILE he was president!

Sorry neo-cons, yall lose. We criticized Bush DURING his administration because he kept fucking up and then flipping America the finger (as well as the rest of the world)
That doesn't give yall the moral high ground to act like junior high school popularity queens and titter about passing gossip to rival "Heathers"

I'm a libertarian for lots of reasons. I left the dem party because Clinton let me down. Obama has the chance to make me believe again but I'm waiting to see how it works out.

But, I'll NEVER in a million years sympathize with the Repubs. Not since Newt and Robertson and Rove tag-teamed that party into holding the title for "biggest assholes in the world"