Smoky
Well-known member
Now that the smoke has settled and the voting is over, I have a few observations.
First, I really applaud my Democrat friends this week.? They have waited for this kind of election result for a VERY long time.? They are once again a part of a majority, and I know this must make them very happy and feel very satisfied.? I have my concerns about the outcome, but I also honor my friends? happiness.? Why?? Because this is what this country is all about.? The right to tell our politicians what we want, and to elect those who, in the long run, will obey our wishes.? That is truly Democracy, and few nations enjoy TRUE Democracy.
Democracy even includes the right for Americans to be wrong.? Something we need to guard jealously.? I hope when winds change, My Democrat friends are not only happy and satisfied, but as respectful as I am at the freedom we have as Americans.? I hope they also remember (as I am trying to do right now) that even when electoral outcomes are NOT what we wish, they are still a reflection of the greatest country on earth in terms of individual freedoms.? I wish all Americans would stop trashing our countriy and our presidents, and at least respect and cherish the kind of nation we have even when the majority elects a leader we do not personally support.
That said, let me express my concerns.
My concerns are that we had an unusually brave and persevering President.? To me it was a refreshing change from the kind of Clintonese presidency where every day policy would vacillate, compared to what the latest poll showed, and there was no courage or attempt to lead Americans into difficult, but elevated paths that required perseverance and long term effort in order to succeed.
Saddam made this crystal clear eight years ago when he explained that Americans would never have the stomach for a long and difficult war against terrorism.? In the end, Saddam was proved right.? Americans don?t have that perseverance, and they will, apparently, rid themselves of any leaders who try to take them in that direction.
I am astounded, that since 9/11, there has not been a single serious threat from terrorists on our own shores, that we did not eliminate before it occurred.? This is a miracle.? Even as hard as Bush toiled against such a thing happening, I expected at least a couple more 9/11s.? The media reports on flaws in our security emphasis how difficult this battle is on our own shores.? Yet? it has not happened.
My guess is that the terrorists have been so busy trying to accomplish objectives on other shores, that they have not been able to focus on our own.
But as recent as yesterday, terrorist leaders were expounding on how the destruction of the white house is their ultimate goal.? This is very frightening.? How will we fare when they suddenly have discovered that the primary engine that was distracting them has now been muted by the latest election?
My prediction is that they will not come to us with open arms and welcome the new leadership.? Instead they will find new kinks in our armor and give us more to worry about than we ever dreamed.? We had a difficult battle, and one that surely did not have a certain victory at the end of it (if it were easy Americans would have loved to follow along).? But we were indeed hanging on for dear life, and for the short term we were treading water.? Now, in the backstroke of this latest election, we may well get washed over the falls faster than we ever dreamed.? But as I said above, with democracy, which is what this is all about in the end, come also the possibility of destroying ourselves.
I will support the new leaders.? There is no alternative.? I will pray for their enlightenment, and hope they indeed have a new and successful way to offer us.? They have two years of my support ahead of them.? In two years time, I will asses their progress, and then cast my vote accordingly.? I am certain my Democrat and Republican?friends will do the same.? And everyone else here. ?Republican people especially have to be supportive, as we Americans have spoken our will.? Please, please, wait for elections to express your will and in the meantime give the new leaders a chance.
I pray most of all that no one simply cling to their ism or their Democratism as a goal in itself.? The party system is a waste.? We must support the BEST leaders and policies regardless what party they are associated with.? Only if we as individuals insist on the best leaders regardless of their party, will the party system stop being an inmpedement to our effectiveness as a nation.
Smoky an Independent voter.
May the truly best person keep on winnning
First, I really applaud my Democrat friends this week.? They have waited for this kind of election result for a VERY long time.? They are once again a part of a majority, and I know this must make them very happy and feel very satisfied.? I have my concerns about the outcome, but I also honor my friends? happiness.? Why?? Because this is what this country is all about.? The right to tell our politicians what we want, and to elect those who, in the long run, will obey our wishes.? That is truly Democracy, and few nations enjoy TRUE Democracy.
Democracy even includes the right for Americans to be wrong.? Something we need to guard jealously.? I hope when winds change, My Democrat friends are not only happy and satisfied, but as respectful as I am at the freedom we have as Americans.? I hope they also remember (as I am trying to do right now) that even when electoral outcomes are NOT what we wish, they are still a reflection of the greatest country on earth in terms of individual freedoms.? I wish all Americans would stop trashing our countriy and our presidents, and at least respect and cherish the kind of nation we have even when the majority elects a leader we do not personally support.
That said, let me express my concerns.
My concerns are that we had an unusually brave and persevering President.? To me it was a refreshing change from the kind of Clintonese presidency where every day policy would vacillate, compared to what the latest poll showed, and there was no courage or attempt to lead Americans into difficult, but elevated paths that required perseverance and long term effort in order to succeed.
Saddam made this crystal clear eight years ago when he explained that Americans would never have the stomach for a long and difficult war against terrorism.? In the end, Saddam was proved right.? Americans don?t have that perseverance, and they will, apparently, rid themselves of any leaders who try to take them in that direction.
I am astounded, that since 9/11, there has not been a single serious threat from terrorists on our own shores, that we did not eliminate before it occurred.? This is a miracle.? Even as hard as Bush toiled against such a thing happening, I expected at least a couple more 9/11s.? The media reports on flaws in our security emphasis how difficult this battle is on our own shores.? Yet? it has not happened.
My guess is that the terrorists have been so busy trying to accomplish objectives on other shores, that they have not been able to focus on our own.
But as recent as yesterday, terrorist leaders were expounding on how the destruction of the white house is their ultimate goal.? This is very frightening.? How will we fare when they suddenly have discovered that the primary engine that was distracting them has now been muted by the latest election?
My prediction is that they will not come to us with open arms and welcome the new leadership.? Instead they will find new kinks in our armor and give us more to worry about than we ever dreamed.? We had a difficult battle, and one that surely did not have a certain victory at the end of it (if it were easy Americans would have loved to follow along).? But we were indeed hanging on for dear life, and for the short term we were treading water.? Now, in the backstroke of this latest election, we may well get washed over the falls faster than we ever dreamed.? But as I said above, with democracy, which is what this is all about in the end, come also the possibility of destroying ourselves.
I will support the new leaders.? There is no alternative.? I will pray for their enlightenment, and hope they indeed have a new and successful way to offer us.? They have two years of my support ahead of them.? In two years time, I will asses their progress, and then cast my vote accordingly.? I am certain my Democrat and Republican?friends will do the same.? And everyone else here. ?Republican people especially have to be supportive, as we Americans have spoken our will.? Please, please, wait for elections to express your will and in the meantime give the new leaders a chance.
I pray most of all that no one simply cling to their ism or their Democratism as a goal in itself.? The party system is a waste.? We must support the BEST leaders and policies regardless what party they are associated with.? Only if we as individuals insist on the best leaders regardless of their party, will the party system stop being an inmpedement to our effectiveness as a nation.
Smoky an Independent voter.
May the truly best person keep on winnning