Election Post mortem...

I've been slacking. A whole month went by without writing. I've been working on my Master's degree and following the propositions, presidential debates, and both campaigns closely this year. Be grateful it's over. Among the positive things to consider now that the election is over is that we will no longer be subjected to election commercials. I can't say I remember an election year where the marketing has been so particularly nasty. It's as if we're no longer supposed to have differences of opinion in this country anymore. Quite the contrary. Express your opinion, and be prepared to be ridiculed. Or worse, ostracized and/or persecuted. I have a message for the various special interests and groups who fancy themselves as the think tank for all Americans: Get over your yourselves--recall earlier article, "It's Not all about you." And here's just a few more tid-bits for select individuals:

• Republicans - I hate to break this to you, but you do not have the market cornered on religion, morality, or family values. I find it interesting that your party is more than willing to intermix politics with religious--read "Anglo Saxon Protestant" beliefs with regularity. Have any of you folks read the Bill of Rights recently?--see Amendment 1.
• Democrats - I know you're still licking emotional wounds from losing the Presidential election, losing seats in the Senate and the House, and losing seats across the country in local districts. That ought to be a red flag shouldn't it? Just a little out of touch with mainstream America, perhaps? Here's a thought: In 2008, it will be open season on the Presidency. Now is the time to begin examining individuals who have consistent, progressive, non-controversial records as legitimate candidates. Someone who is well-spoken and has a good grasp of issues. Someone who does not have baggage. Get off the Hillary bandwagon already and do some deeper searching.
• Conservatives - Why do you think your opinion supersedes everyone else's?--I'll refer you to the 1st Amendment as well. For the record, your religious beliefs are no more legitimate or important than anyone else's. There's a perception that young people vote with their hearts and old people vote with their head. Even if that's partially true, it's that individual's right to do so. While it may be in your character to proselytize, you have to respect another person's right that they might not wish to be bothered with your beliefs. There's a fine line between moral values and what's necessary in terms of legal doctrine. I think George Carlin summarized it best in his description of only needing two commandments instead of ten--see "When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops."
• Liberals - What makes you think the government is the solution to everything? I think it's reasonable to expect a "certain" level of governmental assistance to subsidize people in physical and financial need--most of us pay taxes for that purpose (in part). But the notion that all assistance from the government is good and necessary sets bad precedent. It serves to de-motivate. "Why work when I can get (fill in) for free?" Programs should have a fundamental goal of "launching" people into supporting themselves in the community, and not drawing from the system indefinitely.
• Environmentalists - Is there anything we can BBQ without creating smoke? Anything in an aerosol can that doesn't affect the environment? Anything we drive or fly that doesn't affect the ozone layer? For the record, the Earth is a pretty tough ol' gal. She's withstood dinosaurs, an ice age, volcanoes, world wars, atomic bombs, forest fires, strip mining, and drilling for oil. We won't be deep sixing her anytime soon. That said, can we do better? Absolutely. However, do we need to eat, live, and travel in the interim? Yes, we do. Think about that the next time you chain yourself to a tree.
• Animal Activists - Homo Sapiens are on top of the food chain. Get over it! People will continue to eat meat, and wear furs and leather goods. I heard on the radio yesterday that some guy in Pennsylvania jumped in a Lion's den because he was going to "Bring Jesus to the Lion." The lion proceeded to take several chunks out of said "savior" when the gingko biloba kicked into his brain and told him to "Get the Hell out of there!" He's getting mental help, but the moral of the story is: Human's rule, but fences--and Zoo barriers--make good neighbors. 'Nough said.
• Rich Athletes - For cryin' out loud: Stop making references about how you're not making enough money and that you need to "feed your family" when your salary exceeds eight digits! It's insulting to the rest of us who actually work for a living. And to those of you who are putting your money where your mouth is--Magic Johnson, David Robinson, Kevin Johnson, and many others I'm sure--just know that you're receiving much prayer, gratitude and quiet applause from those lives you affect.

There. Aren't you glad we're going to have four more years of the same old thing? Good. Now can't we all just get along?

Peace,

+THINKER