or: Do You Think Before You Rant?
The 2004 Election has been the most emotional in my lifetime, perhaps in history besides Lincoln-Douglas in 1860. (Of course, a bit of a war broke out over that one.) However, now that the election is over, the politicians and candidates have called for reconcilliation and healing of the rift between right and left. Before you shout me down telling me to "shut up" (thank you Mr. O'Reilly) consider a few things you are doing by the efforts on both sides to make our country totally contentious and hateful.
First, Democrats: there are efforts under way to get a review of the election results and so writing that the party should are unnecesary. Republicans don't want to hear this, I'm sure, but it would seem that the number of complaints is outweighing the "sour grapes" outcry. Will this lead to an "election reversal"? Who knows? But the point is that the effort is underway.
Second, Republicans: It isn't going to heal the country or the rift by telling people to leave the country if they don't love President Bush. Americans should unite behind our commonality as Americans and our attempts to be the best country we can be. That includes the Democrats and Independents who you might disagree with on the election results. You don't want the opposition to leave as that will only create a most hateful situation because the ones who leave will be the moderates, not the extremists.
Third, Republicans and Democrats: No matter what you might feel right now in terms of the election, the government is not a closed system. You may question, protest, debate, petition and be as active politically as you choose for the next 4 years. This election was not about the end of the future. This election (as in all national elections) will be overturned in 2008 when we elect a new president, regardless of the party he represents.
Until then remember, we are all Americans. We may or may not work together as politically as we could, but we have a right to be whom we are and do what we do. Democrat and Republican.