The Election

I'm sad John Kerry didn't win, especially because of the things that were at stake this time around--Supreme Court justices, the environment, gay rights, and so on. And wouldn't it have been nice to not have to worry about health insurance the next time I'm unemployed?

But this election season has been a good one for me, I think. I've started listening a little more closely to hear what people on the other side of the fence are saying. I've become less likely to think of the opposition as monolithic, and have learned far more than I ever wanted to know about political strategy. These are gifts.

One thing that I wish had been different about this race: I wish that instead of telling us what they were going to do for us, or attacking each other, that our candidates had said more about what we as a nation can do together. Sure, politicians are in public service, but part of that service is to inspire us to be more than we are--our best selves and our best nation.

My wish list for 2008: less fearmongering, less pandering, fewer promises, and more responsibility and power given to ordinary Americans.

It would also be nice to hear about poverty now and then. And our crazy prison system. And...

In the meantime, I'm trying to think of reasons why it's good for me that Bush is in office. Here's a start:

1. His sudden interest in civil unions (is that a flip-flop, George?)
2. I might get to misspend my own Social Security money now, rather than having the government do it for me. (Penny stocks, here I come!)
3. Continued fodder for the Daily Show.