Part of the American myth is that after the elections are over we all come together, even supporting our former opponents. If this fantasy ever existed, in the 21st century this of course has become a total load of hogwash. The people I disliked and campaigned against but won are still dishonest, elitist, poorly educated, racist bastards. And they still revolt me. Just because they told enough lies to get the good guy defeated in the election doesn't somehow mean that now I should accept and embrace them.
Last night one of the more intelligent political analysts was on television. With a couple of colleagues he was discussing Obama's responsibility in this rout of the Democrats by the right wing Republicans. He mentioned the irony. Once the “world saving” President was elected, we began to see that he really didn't want Universal Health Care at all, and that the market-based, right wing approach was just just fine with him. Nor does Mr. Obama actually support the issues that the gay community cares about. He just lied and pretended to so that he could get elected. This analyst actually said that Mr. Obama's behavior is that of a Republican, and I fully agree.
So where do we go from here? The tyranny of the majority has won. Or at least the majority of people who registered to vote and then actually voted; so the wishes of far less than a majority of Americans has won.
Most Americans, hence most voters, are a bit racist, quite self-centered and arrogant, and generally avaricious and greedy. They don't much like foreigners or having to obey laws. These people and their right wing elected officials have driven America down from Number One to less than Number Ten on many important issues. And America is continuing this decline.
Acceptance. That is what is appropriate in this situation. America's time in the limelight is over; well and firmly over. And it is very probable (actually rather likely) that it will never recover its former glory. So just accept it. Make sure that your kids and grandkids learn a useful second language (not just America's second language Spanish and certainly not ancient Greek or Latin). You will need to decide for them which it should be: French, German, Chinese, or Arabic. They certainly do not have the life experience or knowledge to make an intelligent decision.
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The adaptable ones, the survivors, will be emigrating. You can be sure of it. You may be too old, but these young people may not have that much choice in the matter.
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