My take on the election.

[lionkingcmsl]

I have read in a couple of LJ's about the type of people who voted for Bush. As one person put it, "stupid redneck Christian hicks", or the equivalent.

That's a mighty big brush you are swinging there. I know of intelligent people who choose Bush because of the maxim, "Better the evil you know than the evil you don't."

For the record, I voted, but for none of the three major candidates: Bush, Kerry, Nader. I don't especially like what Bush has done/is doing, but I don't trust Kerry either. As for Nader, he is riding on his name recognition.

Do I feel my vote was "wasted"? No! I feel that I voted in a way that was most beneficial to the U.S.

To those that say, "Well, because Bush won, I'm leaving the U.S.", I say don't let the door hit you on the way out.

To say, because of your choice losing, the U.S. is not a place that you want to live in, well fine, but when you find that wherever you move is not as green as you thought it was, I hope you find that getting back in got a bit harder. Also, your rants of how the U. S. sucks will look weaker, in my eyes, if you do emigrate. You no longer live here, so your opinion really doesn't hold water with me.

Is that mean? Probably, but I have no time for those that bitch and moan, and "take their ball and go home".

If you don't like something, stay and fix it. Don't throw up your hands and leave in a huff.

Do I think the U.S. perfect? No way, not by a long shot. But, and this is important, I do feel that by staying here I can make a difference, even if in a small way.

Do I think that the U. S. will cease to be the republic I know because Bush won? No. He cannot rule by fiat. Don't forget that in two year some of the Congress will be up for re-election. There is a chance that the Democrats could gain control.

Things change, and things don't go according to the way we want them to. That's life. But by "running away", nothing is going to change, or stop changing.

To repeat, if you don't like what is happening, stay and fight. That is the only course.

This spoken from someone who, a few times, thought about, and tried, the ultimate "running away".

EDIT: So people understand where I am coming from, my post, and feelings, are directed to those that are leaving the U.S. in a huff, not those that had already moved out of the country, or those that their business or personal matters take them out of the country.

It was not my intention to hurt anyone with my comments, but it is how I feel.

Also, when I say that "... so your opinion really doesn't hold water with me", I mean opinions on how the current president is running the country. Please take that statement in context.

Comments

[wolff-slaven.livejournal.com]

I think both Kerry and Bush are equally annoying in their own ways, however I think it came down to a "lesser of two evils." Just now stuff on Kerry's campaign is coming out. Like his inability to make decisions - he really wasn't fit to be a leader. He made a lot of promised etc. but I don't think he would have been able to handle the mess with Iraq. My parents voted for Bush and they're definitally not christian hicks. I'm surprised a lot of people think only unintelligent folks voted for Bush. Some people out there need to realize that all kinds of people voted for Bush - rich, poor, hispanic, hicks, yankees. I know a lot of people are upset and it is surprising that so many are threatning to move. But you're right; what are they going to find on the other side of the pond? A better world? No country is perfect by any means. It could be worse, they could be living in some country where they have no rights, are getting raped and abused, etc. Some people just don't realize how lucky they are to live in the US. Ah well I'm stayin' right here :-)

[hallan.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

Hallan

[u-t-tiger.livejournal.com]

>To those that say, "Well, because Bush won, I'm leaving the U.S.", I say don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Amen to that !

[atara.livejournal.com]

"To say, because of your choice losing, the U.S. is not a place that you want to live in, well fine, but when you find that wherever you move is not as green as you thought it was, I hope you find that getting back in got a bit harder. Also, your rants of how the U. S. sucks will look weaker, in my eyes, if you do emigrate. You no longer live here, so your opinion really doesn't hold water with me."

Thanks for being up front that my opinion no longer matters.

[lowen-kind.livejournal.com]

Atara,

I meant your opinion on the U.S.

Anyway, you are a special case in that you had moved to Canada before the election. Way before.

My post was directed to those that are leaving in a huff, not those that have moved, or are moving, due to personal, or business matters.

I hope this clarifies my post.

[silverfoxmzdm.livejournal.com]

Hugs

You told it as it is. By God man, you said something many do not have the guts to.

As far as I'm concerned, I did the same thing. I voted for what was best for the nation.

To those who are packing their bags, oooh, sorry we didn't met up to your standards. Least it isn't the wizard or the lizard. Now that was a choice and a half.

[xander-zzyzx.livejournal.com]

Hear hear, very well put.