I have a confession to make: I have no idea whether Bush or Kerry won last night. Was I in a coma? No, it's just that by necessity this was written before the election. Assuming the election went relatively smoothly -- and, oh, how I hope we are spared a 2000-esque legal battle - you all now know who will be inaugurated on January 20. Regardless of who has won, I have some thoughts I'd like to share.
The United States of America is a blessed nation. Certainly we're far from perfect, and susceptible to mistakes and horrible injustices. But all in all, this country has been a model for the rest of the world for over 225 years. Many voters seem to fear the election of one candidate or another is going to change that. Well even if the worst fears about the winner is proven true -- barring a nuclear war - neither George W. Bush nor John Kerry can inflict damage so severe that the American people won't overcome, and move bravely forward.
Why am I so optimistic? Though we possess the most powerful military the world has ever known, I don't draw courage from tanks, bombers or nuclear arms. Yes, America is great, but much more importantly America is fundamentally good. I believe America will continue it's faulted but glorious history because freedom, tolerance and kindness pervade the basic spirit of the American public.
There are exceptions of course; like all societies we have racists, pedophiles and murderers, and even those of us who are generally decent people occasionally do things we later regret. But overall, the American public is undeniable good.
Think of all the charities to fund the building of a new school or help a family pay medical bills for a child with leukemia. Consider that here, unlike much of the world, people are free to call the president stupid and burn the nation's flag without being arrested in the middle of the night and disappearing. Realize how extraordinary it is that American Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Wiccans and people of all other faiths are free to worship (or not worship) however they choose, and can generally agree to live-and-let-live.
The United States has endured horrible presidencies in the past. The first 15 failed to abolish slavery. James Buchanan sat by as the country tore itself in two and left Abraham Lincoln to deal with the Civil War. Andrew Jackson blatantly defied a Supreme Court order while relocating Native Americans. Still, the curtain did not fall on the US.
Now I know about half of you think George W. Bush is quasi-tyrant and the other half thinks John Kerry is a borderline Socialist who'll raise taxes on everyone to fund million dollar programs to save a rare variety of ragweed. Personally, I'm not much impressed by either candidate, though I believe each is a patriot and, as corny as it sounds, believes his ideas are good for the country.
Whoever has won, today about half the voters are dismayed over the victory of who they see as a dirty, dishonest, cheating, lying, immoral scoundrel. If you are among that half, I urge you to keep faith in yourself and your countrymen. Odds are the next four years won't be as bad as you fear, and even if they're worse, this nation will weather the storm and remain both great and good.
Write to Jake at jymoore@bsu.edu
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