Post-election musings

Well, it looks like the Republicans got their asses moderately handed to them in the last election.

Many pundits have been speculating that the reason for this is because voters are merely reacting to arrogance and a sense of entitlement on the Republicans' part, and that this shift towards the left is not so much indicative of affinity for Democratic ideals as it is anger at the Bush administration and the things that the party in power has done over the last few years.

I'm sure there is some of that. However, I can't help thinking that, to some extent, the more "liberal" ideals of tolerance and laissez-faire (pardon my French) are not really as marketable as extremist philosophy. You shout about anger and about wanting drastic change. You can't really compose catchy chants about equality, fairness, justice, and peace. Or you can, of course; and throughout history, protesters have - but it's not as easy.

It seems to be "common knowledge" that the center-to-left movement lacks focus and passion. But is that really fair? Must politics always be about who can shout the loudest? Isn't it better to arrive at conclusions logically and dispassionately, rather than through knee-jerk reactions to outside stimuli? If so, it seems to me a great pity that people have to be roused to the point of outrage in order to bring about any meaningful change. This is a state of affairs that can only escalate, and to no one's ultimate benefit.

It will be interesting to see how the Democrats use their new leverage in Congress and the Senate; it is devoutly to be hoped that this recent change will lead to a new sense of balance and better dialogue between opposing sides. But I won't be around to see it, because I'm going to be eaten soon.