A VERY unscientific poll, Bush or Kerry?

[JulieMontgomery]

Goodness.... relax would ya?

You win some and you lose some......

[Diva98]

jumpforjoy - you summed up my feelings this morning. Obviously, as a Kerry supporter, I am disappointed. I do hope that this is a chance for the more liberal and moderates to come together and figure out what went wrong and start fresh. Because I truly believe that George Bush is on a war path to legislate my morality - and that frightens me.

What is really getting me down this morning is that I am not sure there is a place for me in thsi country. I can't believe that I live in a country - that I used to think stood for freedom - where 11 states voted to dictate morals for couples - same sex or hetro. I can't believe that I live in a country where a man can say that Jesus wants him elected President and that we will all be killed by terrorists if he is not elected, and half the country lines up behind me - no questions asked. I guess I am just sad for the country I love, because I think the wrong person is our leader. No, I'm not moving - although my friends and I do think Canada is lovely - because I love my country too much to give up on it, but it is disheartening.

[BelladonnaLily]

Cool down, swissboy. Erin MIGHT come on here and tell you to show more respect for the differing opinions on here.

[nhwr]

I too am disappointed but I think that the reason Bush won was really reflected here on this thread. People are frightened; frightened of the world situation, frightened about the economy, frightened for the lack of consideration society has generally for their families. Some people really believe that we are living in "end times". When people are frightened they consider their own interests and those of their families first, they are less tolerant of differences. Bush appeals to people in this manner.

I supported Kerry and have been a life long democrat but I have felt for a long time that the democratic party doesn't really reflect my values. They do need to make some changes. It does make me sad to think that our nation, which has a courageous and moral history, has choosen this path

[ailis36]

Howdy blue states...

Here's an open invitation from Canada to come and join us! We're very civilized up here. We still believe that:

*homosexuals and lesbians are human beings...
*a woman has a right to decide what happens to her own body
*if God talks to you personally...you belong in a nuthouse, not the White House

[CHJoker]

Diva,

The US no longer stands for freedom throughout the world. It has not, sorry to burst anyone's bubble, for quite some time now, but most noteably since we invaded Iraq illegally.

I admire your tough it out attitude, but I wish you luck. I had so much hope that maybe the US would prove to the world that we were not what Bush represents.

Do you think Bush is going to care what the other half of America thinks? Has he so far? Or, will he continue on his path of righteousness that dictates we bring democracy to All...especially those that have oil, directed by none other than God Almighty?? Dictate morality for all? Keep everyone in fear? Banktrupt our nation?

Belladonna, you enjoy your next 4 years with Bush. I hope you continue to get huge Profit sharing checks, and blissfully ignore anything that might upset your happy world.

By the way, as you seem to to have missed something...I will restate the facts. I am an American. And, I am a woman. Not sure where you got that I was Swiss, and male.

And who is doing the whining now, about differing opinions? I forgot to add Hypocricy to my list of things America is becoming famous for... I'll have to go back and edit.

[MyShadeOfPink]

the world that is ours is hidden behind a bush, and we shall never see it again.

[Windsor]

As long as we're all talking about stupid and scary, we could probably start with some of the insults, overstatements, oversimplifications and gross generalizations right here in this thread.

[JulieMontgomery]

Thank you, Windsor....

[ser42]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ailis36:
Howdy blue states...

Here's an open invitation from Canada to come and join us! We're very civilized up here. We still believe that:

*homosexuals and lesbians are human beings...
*a woman has a right to decide what happens to her own body
*if God talks to you personally...you belong in a nuthouse, not the White House <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, I like Canada (with exception of their health care system, but heck, ours ain't perfect either). Many parts of Europe are also very attractive. Problem is, I like the blue states too. I just wish this country wasn't so divided and that we could actually support a moderate candidate- whether republican or democrat- as a presidential candidate.

[ser42]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Windsor:
As long as we're all talking about stupid and scary, we could probably start with some of the insults, overstatements, oversimplifications and gross generalizations right here in this thread. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, let's start. Care to elaborate?

[Perfect Pony]

This country will only get worse. It has come out this morning that the people that went out and voted in droves were the evangelical Christians, mostly motivated by ballot props against gay marraige, stem cell research, and abortion. The young vote was no higher than 2000, the women vote not much higher. I hate to say this but the next generation deserves what they will inherit, a suppression of the rights so many have fought for, the beggining of a militant Christian country, an economy run by a powerful elite, rising poverty, no health care, and the inability to afford property by the time they are ready to buy.

I tried to believe in America but I just can't, not knowing who has taken over. I just feel frieghtened and depressed this morning. Truely sad

[ser42]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Porcelain Pony:
This country will only get worse. It has come out this morning that the people that went out and voted in droves were the evangelical Christians, mostly motivated by ballot props against gay marraige, stem cell research, and abortion. The young vote was no higher than 2000, the women vote not much higher. I hate to say this but the next generation deserves what they will inherit, a suppression of the rights so many have fought for, the beggining of a militant Christian country, an economy run by a powerful elite, rising poverty, no health care, and the inability to afford property by the time they are ready to buy.

I tried to believe in America but I just can't, not knowing who has taken over. I just feel frieghtened and depressed this morning. Truely sad <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

PP you are not alone, but you know, this too shall pass. Things seem to swing on a pendulum in this country. It will just take some dedicated people like yourself to bring about change once again. We've done it before, we can do it again. Although it's disheartening, don't give up!

[Diva98]

I just had a friend email me this: "Remember - Noxon was re-elected too!"

Ser42 - I agree with a lot of your comments here - and I hope you are right about the pendulum. I just hope we can survive another four years in order to get someone more moderate in office.

ailis36 - your description of Canada sounds lovely and sounds like a place I would like. I used to think the US was that place too. I guess time will tell...

[Windsor]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
Yes, let's start. Care to elaborate? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm reluctant, but what the hell.

1. That people who voted for Bush did so out of fear.
2. That an abortion only has to do with a WOMAN'S body. Seems like a body-within-a-body to me. I don't have the whole "when does life begin" thing figured out, but I think I've given it as much or more thought than those who are certain that THEY do.
3. That people who made an honest choice for the candidate they thought was best should "get what they deserve."
4. That people for whom religion is any kind of factor in their choice of president are being "kept stupid so they don't vote with their minds" or "don't understand the importance of 'separation of church and state.'
Here's a wake-up call--I think one can be an atheist and think abortion is morally wrong. Why is abortion considered to be a difficult and heart wrenching decision for women? It's not because they're smushing a bug. Gets back to that pesky "when life begins" question.
5. To all of those who fault Bush for "going it alone" in Iraq, I certainly a agree that a larger "coalition of willing" would've been great. I also think it's possible that those who were "unwilling" didn't want to go for entirely selfish and invalid reasons.

I could probably go on, but I hope I've made my point.

[Windsor]

Just wanted to add, I could've walked in the booth yesterday and flipped a coin to decide who to vote for. I agreed with Kerry on some issues and leaned toward Bush on others. Does that make me a dumbass or an intellectual?

Wait--don't answer that.

[CHJoker]

Yes, you've made your point. Now I will attempt to clarify.

1. A huge part of them did.

2. It is that womans body, and her decision. Period. I would bet money you are a man. I could be wrong, but just a guess.

3. They (you) will get what they (you) deserve. They will, for better or worse. So, probably, will I

4. I SERIOUSLY doubt you are an athiest, and I have YET to meet an athiest who worries about " when life begins". This still doesn't mean anyone thinks you HAVE to have an abortion. It just means most of us think you should have the choice.

5. OHHH, and Bush's reasons where selfless and a gift to humanity? The selfish and invalid reasons other countries don't want to participate, would that be because the war was illegal, or because the people of those countries OVERWHELMINGLY oppose the war in Iraq? OR because it is overwhelmingly expensive, in terms of money and loss of life? Or...the list can continue, just ask.

I am sure you COULD go on, but you still wouldn't be able to prove to me (and most Kerry supporters) that Bush will be a good leader. He has proven he can't, and isn't.

And, I am again frightened you could have flipped a coin. Obviously with your comments though, you chose the topics of abortion (morality), and war as the deciding factors, and you chose Bush to represent you. You seem to have proved the point yourself quite well.

Kudos. Enjoy.

[silver]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by scrubs:
In exit polls and voter demographics, the higher the education level the more votes for Kerry. In folks with Masters & PhD's, the votes were 78% for Kerry. The two lowest education categories (did not finish high school and did not finish college) had the highest % of votes for Bush. And we wonder why education is so bad in this country - its what the radical evangelical right needs as their voter base - keep 'em stupid so they don't vote with their minds!!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
You know I predicted that days ago on this very thread and got toally ripped for it by Bush supporters. However I was right and the poor and uneducated have just voted to stay that way. I hope the rest of the country is prepared to support them indefinetely.

[nhwr]

Windsor,

1. Many Bush supporters openly stated that they were voting for Bush because they were afraid of terrorism. If you find repetition of that insulting, I am sorry. But it was their reasoning.

2. It has been a long held principle of the Republican party that the government should be small, be involved in people's private lives minimallly. Their current stand on the Patriot Act, abortion and gay marriage is in direct opposition to this.

3. If you believe you made the right choice, you should be looking forward to getting "what you deserve".

4. See #2.

5. Bush can pray all he wants but there will be no help for Iraq from other countries. Blair is fighting for his political life in Britain. He is only in office because the Liberals don't have a strong enough alternative to overcome the Conservatives. The Poles, who Bush kept referring to in the debates, have only committed until the first of next year. My bet is they all go home. Bush has so alienated the French and Germans, they won't help. Putin, who seems to be rolling back democracy in Russia without much protest from W, has his own problems. We are going it alone. I just hope it over within 3 years because my eldest child will be 18 and there will surely be a draft, if we aren't out of the Iraq by then.

[nycjumper]

Like many of you, I am utterly dishearted by the election and wondering where I fit in the political landscape. Yes, I'm a democrat but am fairly moderate & even fiscally conservative. But it becomes clear that there is a huge divide in this country & more of it swings to the right (or far right in many cases). South Carolina elected a senator that is on record stating he believes gays & single mothers shouldn't be allowed to teach in public schools. 10 states passed ammendments to their consitutions denying a couple the right to have their partnership legally recognized b/c they are homosexuals. More than 50% of this country isn't concerned about the fact that the next president will nominate several Supreme Court Justices who will determine issues like the right to choose what to do with your own body.

I've never ever felt this great a sense of disconnection with the rest of the country. And that scares me more than anything....