We Lost

We lost. I’m not going to speculate how or why. We fought hard, we registered lots of voters, we did everything we could for Senator Kerry; it was, to quote President Bush, "hard work." For all our efforts Bush still won the Presidency, with the popular vote. The Republicans now control pretty much all branches of government with a mandate. We can expect the extinguishing stench of war, both on foreign countries and on the poor and middle class. We can expect the smoke and spew of environmental degradation and further dependence on foreign oil. We can expect the shadow of alienation from allies, and fiscal irresponsibility.
In short, this is a dark hour. Still, the flame of America is here; it still flickers within each of us as tiny beacons of hope in this cheerless sea that surrounds us. That’s right, it shines within each of us. Each time we stand up and speak our mind, each time we talk politics to a friend, each time we open a newspaper to become informed about issues, the light is there.
Look deep within yourself and find your core beliefs, and live them out each day of your life; become a democracy of one. For too long it has been the Republicans that have had a stranglehold on the idea of "local control" and "States rights." Well, we can do them one better, let us find self-control, and individual rights. If you have a heart for the homeless, work at a shelter, if you want to protect the environment find your State or national parks and volunteer there. If you are worried about Bush’s attack on the school system, take time out to read to a child. Start biking to keep carbon monoxide out of the air, and for the love of God if the Republicans want to attack Cuba, Syria, North Korea, or Iran and you are not so sure that’s a good idea get out in the streets and protest!
The light is not out friends; it is just a little dim. There is so much we can do between now and the next election cycle, that, if we intentionally and incessantly work for change, the cycles don’t matter, we do. Parties may make policy, but people make a nation, a signal fire of democracy lit from the individual torches of the hearts of many.