"Bush did particularly well among regular churchgoers, outpacing Kerry by 22 points among exit poll respondents who attended services at least once a week.
More exit poll respondents -- about 22 percent -- called "moral values" the election's most important issue than cited the economy, terrorism or Iraq. Those expressing this sentiment backed the president overwhelmingly, 80 percent to Kerry's 18 percent. Bush did similarly well among the 19 percent who identified terrorism as their top issue.
Kerry won overwhelmingly among the 20 percent who pointed to the economy and jobs as the most important issue -- taking this group 80 percent to the president's 18 percent. The 15 percent who named the Iraq war as the race's top issue backed the senator by a 3-1 margin."
I'm guessing we can all guess the issues that "moral values" is a codeword for. It seemed to win Bush the middle column of states.
On the radio today, my wife and I heard this fellow won:
...but my wife is terrified that Bush won, and the Republicans now have a solid lock on both the Senate and the House, and is now trying to talk me into moving to Canada.
Please, just give us reasons not to be scared. We _need_ them.
Please, just give us reasons not to be scared. We _need_ them.
In no particular order . . .
For all the raving of the Nehemiah Scudders, all they're managing to do is hold the line on the legal status quo while the underlying social fabric changes around them. Five years ago it was a universally agreed fact that gays couldn't marry. Now it's something that has to be fought against with rigid laws. In 2009 the loopholes will widen and more and more states will officially legalize it. Then polygamists will be forcing their way in, to the dismay of health insurance providers. When your enemies are going through frantic conniptions it means you're winning.
Abortion's in a similar position. In the past four years the best the Republicans could try for was to outlaw one type of third trimester abortion, something that wasn't protected by Roe v Wade in the first place. Even repealing Roe v Wade wouldn't outlaw it, that would take passing laws and nobody has the guts to tackle that fight. Not even Bush and Ashcroft or they would've tried something bigger than going after PBA.
For all the noise and fury, neither the Patriot Act or enemy combatant regulations are sending many people to jail. One guy got grabbed as an enemy combatant on US soil and his case got reviewed by the Supreme Court. Most of the Patriot Act rules are just standardizing already legal actions. IE, secret search warrants were legal all over but the notification time depended on which circuit court the case was in. With thousands protesting in the streets and national papers denouncing the president the 1st amendment is in good shape.
I have noticed that will all the effort diverted to chasing terrorists there's been a dramatic drop in killings and property seizures in the course of drug and firearms investigations. No new Ruby Ridge or Waco incidents. So we may be ahead on civil liberties on net.
Balancing the budget--well, that's a lost cause with the Reps on both sides but that's probably not your main worry. The economy will continue on momentum with the feds having minimal effect.
Draft--you can confidently tell your students the Army doesn't want them. Managing volunteers is tough, conscripts are more trouble than they're worth.
Homeland Security will continue to spend lots of money for little benefit while annoying the heck out of us. But the brain/body ratio is worse than a brontosaurus so they won't be taking over the streets. They'll be lucky if they can get control of their org chart.
Terrorism/War/Iraq. Looks like all my fancy rhetoric will be tested against reality. You can look forward to putting "I told you so" comments on all my old posts in 2008. Though you can do that from Canada so I guess that doesn't count.
Stepping back a bit--Bush has another four years in office. Reagan & Bush Sr combined for twelve, and the Republic survived. How different are things really from 2000? People don't get disappeared for speaking their minds. You can make your own decisions on where to live and work. No priest reviews your behavior on behalf of the government. The past four years of Bush have not changed the way we live day to day. Nor will the next four. There's lot of inertia in the system.
On the flip side, Canada? I've visited. I'd rather be here. No bill of rights. A parliament that distorts voter intent worse than the electoral college. A senate that provides no checks and balances. And while this won't matter to your wife, how many breakthroughs in electronics can you think of that Canada's made in the past twenty years? Take your time.
That's what I can think of off the top of my head. If you want more reasons, or to discuss a specific issue, let me know.
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timeasmymeasure
Resigned :(
Date: 2004-11-03 03:05 pm (UTC)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Bush did particularly well among regular churchgoers, outpacing Kerry by 22 points among exit poll respondents who attended services at least once a week.
More exit poll respondents -- about 22 percent -- called "moral values" the election's most important issue than cited the economy, terrorism or Iraq. Those expressing this sentiment backed the president overwhelmingly, 80 percent to Kerry's 18 percent. Bush did similarly well among the 19 percent who identified terrorism as their top issue.
Kerry won overwhelmingly among the 20 percent who pointed to the economy and jobs as the most important issue -- taking this group 80 percent to the president's 18 percent. The 15 percent who named the Iraq war as the race's top issue backed the senator by a 3-1 margin."
I'm guessing we can all guess the issues that "moral values" is a codeword for. It seemed to win Bush the middle column of states.
On the radio today, my wife and I heard this fellow won:
http://www.declaration.net/news.asp?docID=4188&y=2004
Nehemiah Scudder, here we come.
-------------------------------------------------------
I'm glad it's over too.
You're relieved Bush won...
...and I'm sadly resigned that Bush won...
...but my wife is terrified that Bush won, and the Republicans now have a solid lock on both the Senate and the House, and is now trying to talk me into moving to Canada.
Please, just give us reasons not to be scared. We _need_ them.
Re: Resigned :(
Date: 2004-11-03 03:55 pm (UTC)In no particular order . . .
For all the raving of the Nehemiah Scudders, all they're managing to do is hold the line on the legal status quo while the underlying social fabric changes around them. Five years ago it was a universally agreed fact that gays couldn't marry. Now it's something that has to be fought against with rigid laws. In 2009 the loopholes will widen and more and more states will officially legalize it. Then polygamists will be forcing their way in, to the dismay of health insurance providers. When your enemies are going through frantic conniptions it means you're winning.
Abortion's in a similar position. In the past four years the best the Republicans could try for was to outlaw one type of third trimester abortion, something that wasn't protected by Roe v Wade in the first place. Even repealing Roe v Wade wouldn't outlaw it, that would take passing laws and nobody has the guts to tackle that fight. Not even Bush and Ashcroft or they would've tried something bigger than going after PBA.
For all the noise and fury, neither the Patriot Act or enemy combatant regulations are sending many people to jail. One guy got grabbed as an enemy combatant on US soil and his case got reviewed by the Supreme Court. Most of the Patriot Act rules are just standardizing already legal actions. IE, secret search warrants were legal all over but the notification time depended on which circuit court the case was in. With thousands protesting in the streets and national papers denouncing the president the 1st amendment is in good shape.
I have noticed that will all the effort diverted to chasing terrorists there's been a dramatic drop in killings and property seizures in the course of drug and firearms investigations. No new Ruby Ridge or Waco incidents. So we may be ahead on civil liberties on net.
Balancing the budget--well, that's a lost cause with the Reps on both sides but that's probably not your main worry. The economy will continue on momentum with the feds having minimal effect.
Draft--you can confidently tell your students the Army doesn't want them. Managing volunteers is tough, conscripts are more trouble than they're worth.
Homeland Security will continue to spend lots of money for little benefit while annoying the heck out of us. But the brain/body ratio is worse than a brontosaurus so they won't be taking over the streets. They'll be lucky if they can get control of their org chart.
Terrorism/War/Iraq. Looks like all my fancy rhetoric will be tested against reality. You can look forward to putting "I told you so" comments on all my old posts in 2008. Though you can do that from Canada so I guess that doesn't count.
Stepping back a bit--Bush has another four years in office. Reagan & Bush Sr combined for twelve, and the Republic survived. How different are things really from 2000? People don't get disappeared for speaking their minds. You can make your own decisions on where to live and work. No priest reviews your behavior on behalf of the government. The past four years of Bush have not changed the way we live day to day. Nor will the next four. There's lot of inertia in the system.
On the flip side, Canada? I've visited. I'd rather be here. No bill of rights. A parliament that distorts voter intent worse than the electoral college. A senate that provides no checks and balances. And while this won't matter to your wife, how many breakthroughs in electronics can you think of that Canada's made in the past twenty years? Take your time.
That's what I can think of off the top of my head. If you want more reasons, or to discuss a specific issue, let me know.
And let me add that we'd miss you if you went.