Why does someone have to accept it? Why does anyone have to be satisfied with Bush because he won? He got more votes then any candidate in history, but he also got more votes against him than any candidate in history. This country is sharply and almost evenly devided and has been for the last 4 years, and unless Bush changes we will be for the next 4.
I suppose you're right, nobody will be forced to accept it, but it will do nothing good for this country to say "this is not MY President". Had Kerry won the election, I would say he is MY president, simply because I believe in our system. I believe that our president is elected fairly by my fellow Americans, and we as a whole speak louder than we do individually. Denouncing the system, and denouncing the results of that system, seems unamerican to me. If it's the system you don't like, then work to change it. If it's the candidate you don't like, which in this case I think it is, then start your work to change it four years from now.
That sums up your character, FLY! Ashamed to be an American.
Fly is ashamed of this country (at least right now), and sadly, there are lots of people out there like her. They are people that denounce our system because they think that individually their own convictions and beliefs are the only way, and any other way they cannot accept. It's too bad, because it goes against this very democracy that so many people have fought and died to keep alive.
I hope those of you who detest Bush work thru that anger and resentment. The sun still comes up, there are still football games to watch, and the seasons change.
Elp WN Psgr - Thank you for your very insightful post. I agree with you that most of us do share the same desires, hopes and dreams for this nation. But the bitter, sometimes awry, disagreement comes with the methods we want to use to get us there. After I began this thread, a part of me wished that John Kerry was elected (even though I voted for Bush). I think that the level of disdain for GWB by most liberal democrats is so high that it far outweighs the way the Republicans feel about John Kerry. I also believe that had JK won, (IMHO) there would be a much higher and more civilized level of acceptance, but perhaps I am only speaking for myself. We need this country to be unified, and I suppose that certain concessions need to be made on both sides of this fence in order to bring that to fruition. I, for one, hope that President Bush does whatever he can to bridge the gap between the two quite polarized parties in this country. However, I say that with the unfortunate knowledge that many Americans out there are not willing to even accept him as our president, let alone come back to a position of objectivity that will allow them to judge him appropriately. Even if he became the greatest president in history, many people are no longer willing to afford him that opportunity.
But...Bush is our president, though I disagree with far more of his policies than I agree with, I have to live with it. Funny, I always thought of myself as more conservative, but IMHO, the balance of power has shifted way too far over for my tastes. Heck, I'd imagine that Ike and Barry Goldwater would cringe at what passes for "conservative thought" these days. And since I can't agree with that line of thinking, I guess I have to sign off as...
I like you, KC. And even though we've had our quarrels, you are a person that sticks by your guns, and I respect that. I would encourage you to consider perhaps running for office, or putting yourself in a position to make a difference - outside of having one vote in the state of Missouri. Your convictions, while I disagree with them much of the time, are noble... and the strength to which I think you believe in them would perhaps be better allocated on a higher level.
Either way, best of luck to you all. I share the sentiments of NWA/AMT.... this debate has been fun, if frustrating at times, and most certainly enlightening. Funny how I know none of you personally, but I feel like I do. KCFlyer, NWA/AMT, Sentrido, Busdrvr, whlinder, atabuy, TWAnr, Agmedallion, JIGuy, among others, (and yes, even you Fly).... I hope we are all able to come together as a nation and defeat what we cannot do unless we are united. I've said it before, we may rise and fall, but in the end we meet our fate together.
Regards,
USAir757
