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As the old folkie genius Utah Phillips is keen to say, "Loyalty to the country always; loyalty to the government when it deserves it."
I'm proud to be an American for many, many great reasons, not the least that my own people finally got off their asses and voted in droves. The largest voter turn out in 20 years by a huge margin, which is a great sign for the health of the democracy, such as is left after the last four years.
I don't vote by party, I don't consider myself beholden to any political calling, but I voted my heart, as I always have, and I voted based on facts and evidence. I helped carry my state for Kerry, but it's all one man can do.
And really, it comes down this: it was the most important election of my lifetime, by a magnitude of 10, and I daresay, the most important election this world has seen in 75 years. This was a litmus test of where this country really stands; and where we stand is deeply divided, polarized like no other time in our history. While Bush likely has won with more than 50% of the popular vote (the first such occurrence in a Presidential race since '94), 51% is not a mandate, as the Administration keeps saying it is. It means that nearly half of this country has no confidence in the current administration, and given the number of voters, that's nearly 60 million people in a country of 265 million that feel disenfranchised.
The man who gets the most votes wins. That's the system. However, with the numbers that we're seeing, the next 4 years are going to be as close to a lame duck presidency as one can get with control of both House, Senate and White House.
Proud as I am to be an American, I'm glad I'm only 5 minutes from Canada... because if Bush brings about Armageddon as he seems so keen on doing, I want an exit strategy.
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Bob M. Montgomery Images
Fine Art and Commision Photography
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