2008 BEGINS NOW.

[darthmix]

I've lurked on this forum for two years and I just started posting a lot today. I know you guys probably don't want to hear from anyone new at this moment. But I have something I have to share.

I believe in John Kerry. I believe he won this election. And I don't know what's going to happen now, except that he'll make the right choice, even though I don't know what that is.

What I know is this: win or lose, the fights for 2006, and 2008, and 2012 begin at this moment. The last four years have made an activist of me, when I never thought of being one before, and this night has turned me into a crusader.

I know that George W. Bush did not just happen. For eight years under Bill Clinton and before, the neocons and fundamentalists and bigots and corporate warmongers worked behind the scenes, buying allies and cementing their hatred. They carefully dug a foundation of lies on which they could build other lies. They planned ahead. And all their work has JUST BARELY put them within stealing distance of two presidential elections and left us with a bitterly divided country that's isolated in the world.

Is that the best they can do?

If GWB is installed again as president, everyone on this forum knows how the next four years are going to go. They are, as they've already admitted in private, losing Iraq. They have already lost the world community. They've dug a hole of deficits out of which they cannot climb, they've set us on a course that will destroy our social safety nets, and they've implemented "education" programs which are reaking havoc on our schools which they refuse to fund.

Bush is a polarizing figure, and I think he's about to get a lot more polarizing. Lord knows what he'll try when he knows he doesn't have to run for re-election. But now that he's led us to the brink of collapse, he cannot keep the heart of this country - or even the half that he seems to have conned over to his side - if we don't let him. He and his syndicate are weak now.

This is our time to work behind the scenes, to nurture and unite the left, to build our alliances and spread our ideas. We must continue to oppose this president, as the world does, and we must continue to fight his agenda, to render him impotent in office and demonstrate the callous stupidity of his policies. The energy on this forum and the votes of 50% of this country are proof that this is more than possible. The neocons are at their peak, and judging from the vote tally it's a pretty weak one. We, however, in a position now to lay the foundations for a lasting cultural revolution. All we need is good people who'll devote their lives to healing the world.

I volunteer.

[Nerdling]

1. Please...

Please... just give it a rest about the future.

We're still licking our wounds from tonight and the race might not even begin. I am mentally and physically exhausted from this years.

[Bridget Burke]

2. Fine words, but the votes have not yet been counted.

Save them. They'll come in handy.

[VivaKerry]

3. You really, really think that there will be a vote in 2008?

That's the point!!!!!

good gawd!

[welshTerrier2]

4. 2006 begins now ...

we need to take back the Senate !!

[pauliedangerously]

5. Well said

I'm putting you on my buddy list...we'll talk more. I, for one, say this election is over. It's time to regroup and rethink. I'm tired and am going to bed soon. I think a Kerry win will be a long-term loss for Democrats and progressives. I DID vote for him; but this Ohio debacle is going to be nothing but humiliation.

Good night.

[Beearewhyain]

6. Very well said

but this points to a failing that none of us want to look at but I will keep pointing out...we did a crappy job making our point. We HAVE to get local, just like the repugs did in the 80's. If we don't we will have many more years like this.