[ColorMist]

This is a thread for positive thoughts about the next four years from those of us who weren't particularly thrilled about either candidate.


This thread is not for gloating! -- you can go spread the huge amounts of "OMG Bush won yay!!!!!!!" love elsewhere, that's what the Republican thread is for. Gloating is never cool, anyway. It's just not classy.

This thread is not for people to bitch out those of who who would like to remain -- however cautiously -- positive! -- no one wants to be told they're stupid or naive for having just a shred of hope, or for refusing to sink down into the muck of dispair along with the majority of people on this board.


Here are my thoughts. I thought Bush had some serious screw-ups in his first four years. I hate how he caters to the fundies, particularly in regard to that gay marriage ban (yes, by all means, let's expand big government because as everyone knows, Republicans are supposed to LOVE big government...except not). I've got misgivings about just how long it's going to take us to stabalize Iraq.

I think I'm one of the few who wasn't really emotionally involved in this election. All over the board you've got the serious Bush lovers and the serious Bush haters. And in the middle you've got me. While I'm a conservative (although it seems lately I'm becoming more liberal, especially compared to the other conservative posters on this board) I could not get enthusiastic about Bush. And, perhaps because I'm conservative, I couldn't get behind the idea of Kerry either.

So mostly this election I've just been minding my own business. I've gotten into more than my fair share of arguments with my hardcore-Republican friend, with my fundamentalist-Christian friend, and with my Republican parents. And then on a few occasions I've come here to the board where I've gotten into fights with liberal posters!

Bush won -- fine. And if Kerry won, I think I would have been fine with that, too -- I certainly don't think that the world would have come to an end in either case.


And now -- we've got Bush for the next four years. And, once again, I find myself in between the Bush-lovers who are beside themselves with joy, and the Bush-haters who are beside themselves with anguish.

And while I can't fully share in the Bush-lovers excitement, nor in their sense of validation...I also can't relate at all to the doom and gloom scenarios floating around this board.

Maybe the next four years will suck. ("NEVER!" shout the Bush-lovers; "OF COURSE THEY WILL, YOU MORON!" shout the Bush-haters).

Or maybe they won't be...all that bad. Maybe they can even be better than the last four.


And now, I leave you with our theme song, from the musical, South Pacific.

****-EYED OPTIMIST When the sky is a bright canary yellow I forget ever cloud I've ever seen. So they call me a ****-eyed optimist Immature and incurably green. I have heard people rant and rave and bellow That we're done and we might as well be dead. But I'm only a ****-eyed optimist And I can't get it into my head I hear the human race is falling on its face And hasn't very far to go. But every whippoorwill is selling me a bill And telling me it just ain't so. I could say life is just a bowl of jello And appear more intelligent and smart. But I'm stuck like a dope with a thing called hope And I can't get it out of my heart. Not this heart.

I'd really like to hear from other people like me, who weren't big supporters of either of the major candidates.
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[*Maria*]

This is a good idea for a thread. I was a bit upset(mostly because I worked quite a bit on one campaign), but actually got over it quite soon, and I don't want to be bitter. I'm making it a point to look forward to the next four years. It doesn't have to be the hell everyone seems to think it'll be, and four years is really just a droplet in the bucket of time, no big thing. We'll all be fine.

[X-6_494]

The bright side is Obama in Illinois and stem cell research passing in California!

[ColorMist]

Originally posted by *Maria* This is a good idea for a thread.

Thank you!! Seriously, thank you so much. I was worried that the first few posts would be from people telling me I sucked. I'm just in a ridiculously "positive" mood this morning (considering that yesterday I was just "meh") ...maybe because a cold front has just come through and it feels Christmas-y outside.

I was a bit upset(mostly because I worked quite a bit on one campaign),

I don't blame you for being upset. Not at all.

but actually got over it quite soon, and I don't want to be bitter. I'm making it a point to look forward to the next four years. It doesn't have to be the hell everyone seems to think it'll be, and four years is really just a droplet in the bucket of time, no big thing. We'll all be fine.

That's where I am. I know exactly how bad it could be. I've got my own worries, especially regarding international affairs. But I also think that there's a chance that it won't be as bad as everyone thinks. I've got hope. And you're right, it doesn't have to be hell.

I really want these next four years to be about healing the really strong divisions both within this country and in regard to the U.S's relationship with other countries. I'm just sick of all of the anger. That's one of the reasons I took kind of a hiatus from the board following the mad posting I was doing in 2003 regarding the war in Iraq. Now I'm back -- and everyone is angry again. That's why I wanted to start the thread, because even if we're the only two people that ever post on it...at least it's a little sunlight in the midst of all of the bickering.

I was reading statements from various world leaders and the common theme was wanting to work to mend fences. I have to believe that things are going to get better.

I'm wondering in particular how Arafat's condition is going to play into our relationship with the Middle East. According to some news reports he has slipped into a coma (but a few of his aides are denying it). If he does die...that's going to make some serious waves in the conflict over there and obviously Bush is going to be involved. So we'll see how that goes.
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[LittleMilkJug]

I know its early days yet but can someone tell me who the likely candidates are for 2008? Both sides. Thanks

PS Arafat is now in a coma so I guess its not long now. This is big news, that has been overshadowed for obvious reasons.

[ColorMist]

Originally posted by X-6_494 The bright side is Obama in Illinois and stem cell research passing in California!

See? There is a bright side!
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[Milt Palacio]

Well, hopefully the economy and the stock market improves. The economy actually has improved in the past 10 months and I would like to see that trend continue.

Hopefully the deficit is reduced to some extent.

Hopefully Canadian drugs are allowed to be imported to save people money.

Hopefully we don't invade anymore countries.

Hopefully the US people become more open-minded to people different from them.

Hopefully stem cell research increases in the states. California just did a very good thing.

[ColorMist]

Originally posted by LittleMilkJug I know its early days yet but can someone tell me who the likely candidates are for 2008? Both sides. Thanks

I don't know about the Democrats...I keep hearing people talk about Hillary Clinton possibly running.

For the Republicans there's been talk of Rudy Guilliani (hope I spelled that right) and John McCain (who I really like).
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[*Lauren]

I'm not optimistic, but I admite you guys who are.

I could get behind John McCain or Guiliani. Guiliani was brillant during 9/11, he was the real American President. They both seem more liberal the Bush, but I don't know a huge lot about them.

[X-6_494]

John McCain is a republican I could live with. I don't know about Rudy's external policy, but as long as he's not a neo-con..

As for Dems: Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, maybe Edwards again - I'm also hoping for Howard Dean.

[Milt Palacio]

Originally posted by X-6_494 As for Dems: Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, maybe Edwards again - I'm also hoping for Howard Dean. [/B]

Definitely not Edwards. And not Obama in 2008, maybe in 2016. Our country isn't ready for a bi-racial president.

Bill Richardson from New Mexico is a possibility. I also read there are a few governors (the one from Indiana) that are a possibility.

[LittleMilkJug]

Oh yes, I remember Giulliani during the 9/11 aftermath. He was great then

[ColorMist]

Originally posted by Milt Palacio Well, hopefully the economy and the stock market improves. The economy actually has improved in the past 10 months and I would like to see that trend continue.

I want to see that continue, too. My father just got our family back into the stock market (he handles all of our stocks and his mood throughout the day is dictated by the Nasdaq). I'm trying to decide whether or not I should go to graduate school right after graduating in 2006...either way, I'll be entering the work force soon.

Hopefully the deficit is reduced to some extent.

Amen.

Hopefully Canadian drugs are allowed to be imported to save people money.

Truthfully I don't know much about this issue. In Louisiana (where I go to college -- cannot vote because I'm not a resident) a Republican was just elected to the senate...and because he was the only Republican running for the seat, it allowed him to be more moderate. He had an ad that would run that was a split-screen -- one side showed him here in Louisiana, and the other side shows him up in Canada (with a lot of snow blowing around). He said that he broke with the party to vote in favor of Canadian drugs. And, this must have been a popular stance because he won the election.

Hopefully we don't invade anymore countries.

That's one of my biggest issues with Bush. I'm hoping that we're through with that.

Hopefully the US people become more open-minded to people different from them.

Obviously, this is a big thing too. I truly believe (and this may be way too naive of me) that the more time that passes, the more tolerant people will become of other sexual orientations. My cousin told my (very Catholic, somewhat conservative) family that he was gay several years ago. The way I like to think of it is...my other cousins will grow up, and have families...and they'll raise their kids to be tolerant...who will raise their kids to be tolerant...etc. Ripple effect. And eventually, the tolerant people will be the majority.

And, in the same vein, Baton Rouge, Louisiana elected its first black mayor ever yesterday. Another election I could not vote in, as I'm not a resident, but he says he's going to try to fix the traffic problems! And the traffic is terrible here. One of my friends says that it's like no one ever works or sleeps...all they do is drive.

Hopefully stem cell research increases in the states. California just did a very good thing.

I'd like to see this continue too.
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[Avatar]

Originally posted by *Lauren I could get behind John McCain or Guiliani. Guiliani was brillant during 9/11, he was the real American President. They both seem more liberal the Bush, but I don't know a huge lot about them.

I could get behind McCain too - after eight years of Bush, McCain would definately be a step in the right direction for the GOP, and I like him from the little I know of him. I wouldn't be too thrilled with Guiliani, since I think he's been thrust into greatness more than seeking it, which is what politicians should.

No way is the US ready to elect Obama in four years - I don't think they'd elect Hillary either, so I'm not sure who the Democrats could nominate.

[ColorMist]

Originally posted by *Lauren I'm not optimistic, but I admite you guys who are.

Thank you.

I could get behind John McCain or Guiliani. Guiliani was brillant during 9/11, he was the real American President. They both seem more liberal the Bush, but I don't know a huge lot about them.

They are both classified as moderates, as far as I know.

McCain was one of the Republicans to speak out strongly against the gay marriage ban, as it was not in keeping with the traditionally-Republican belief in keeping down big government.
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