The Political and Social Crisis Will Intensify...

[King_Crimson]

Want a good, strong dose of REALITY? http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/nov2004/elec-n03_prn.shtml

The reelection of George W. Bush, achieved largely through the mobilization of the evangelical Christian vote on the basis of overtly religious appeals, will have far-reaching and disastrous cosequences for American democracy.

Notwithstanding the platitudes and bromides dispensed by Senator John Kerry in his stereotypical concession speech, the results of the 2004 election represents a further stage in the decay and crisis of the American political system. It is the culmination of a strategy, developed by the Republicans over the past three decades, of cultivating religious fundementalists to create a mass base for social reaction and militarism. The corporate and financial oligarchy have fashioned their own Frankenstein monster--a force whose poitical and social agenda is incompatible with the secular constitutional foundations of the United States and the maintenance of traditional democratic norms.

Bush and the Republicans ran a deeply reactionary campaign, employing lies and political smears and playing on the fears, insecurities and confusion of key sections of the electorate. But even with the advantage of incumbency, a friendly media, and the relentless exploitation of the 9/11 tragedy, Bush was barely able to eek out a 51 percent majority of the popular vote.

Whatever the media pundits may say, the election is anything but a popular endorsement of the Bush administration and it's policies. Historically, presidents who have won reelection have been able to utilize the benefits of incumbency to obtain decisive victories. This was the case with Roosevelt in the 1930's, Johnson in the 1960's, Reagan in the 1980's, and even Clinton in 1996. Yet Bush gained little more than an absolute majority.
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All political power is concentrated in the hands of extreme right-wing forces. The official opposition, in the form of the Democratic Party, has proven itself bankrupt. Meanwhile, in the country at large, there is massive and intense opposition to the Bush administration, the Iraq war, and the policies of the Republican right. Adding to the unstable and exposive mix is the fact that millions of people who voted for Bush did so out of fear and confusion--exploited by the Republicans--and thereby ensured a continuation of policies that will further undermine their own living standards.

more... www.wsws.org

[cubsfan forever]

1. Memo to anyone who voted

for the Coward in Chief: If your kids are drafted, tough! If you lose your job, tough! If you starve, tough! Eat your "W" bumper sticker!

DUers, Check this out:

http://www.cafepress.com/irregulargoods.14144914

("Don't Blame Me, I Voted For Kerry" stickers!)

Professor 2

[izzie]

2. A lot of truth in that. Sorry to say.

I still think things go up and down. When people get sick of what is going on they will vote for others. I really am a green party member and I call that an old time Dem. The new party is a little to much for this 'anything goes in business' for me. I still think Govt. can do things better than corp and it is better for the voters to have control over some of these things. Like the army, Post office, city water and lights. Other things also. I do not think corp should own graveyards and they are even buying them up in some places. I think the party will come back when things get worse for people and only then.It is also hard to fight people who think they are right and these right wing nuts KNOW they are right so it is even harder.

[AG78]

3. Maybe in a different world

"When people get sick of what is going on they will vote for others"

Depends on who owns the votes.