The Democratic Dilemma
by Mark Liberator (e-mail: editor@liberator.net) [November 9th, 2004]The November 2nd election will be a concern for a number of people for quite some time. The people who were hardest hit were democrats. Yet, democrats and the rest of the country will have to move past the outcome of the election to solve the problems at hand and be productive.
“...Democrats have claimed the country is divided, as if a giant chasm separated it to two halves. They have been quite insistent upon it. Might it be that American citizens are instead in a state of collegial disagreement? Or, does their belief in such a fictitious gulf necessitate an implied need for larger government as a means for coping with their own imagined specter?” John F. Kerry’s inability to energize his party’s base to reach out to the rest of America has manifested a considerable amount of frustration within democrats. Democrats became so enraged they have resorted to the use of a cover from a British tabloid to vent their anger. The tabloid in question came from a rag called The Mirror, which stated, “How can 59,054,087 Americans be so DUMB?”
Someone should inform The Mirror, and the disgruntled Democrats who insist on using it as a counter to the election, that 59,459,765 Americans really voted for Bush. For those who have been following the mainstream media, which have exercised similar strains of low journalistic integrity, soft reporting, and unperceptive articles, no one should be surprised by the tactic.
Psychologists would say the use of such material is an indicator of a normal step within the process of coping with loss. The stages include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Therefore, it is the duty of every citizen within the United States to help Democrats recognize their loss and move them past it. This is the only way the country can heal in order for it to take on the challenges it must face.
Yet, within the initial stages of coping with loss, Democrats have claimed the country is divided, as if a giant chasm separated it to two halves. They have been quite insistent upon it. Might it be that American citizens are instead in a state of collegial disagreement?
Or, does their belief in such a fictitious gulf necessitate an implied need for larger government as a means for coping with their own imagined specter? Their insistence on division is yet another example that alienates Americans from the Democratic Party.
Clearly, a majority of voters have declared George W. Bush the winner. It indicated that America has formed an alliance with his party’s position on the issues, to the extreme chagrin of Democrats.
Once Democrats finally reach acceptance regarding the election, they must find a way to mobilize themselves and energize their base. Democrats will have to stop the meaningless, baseless attacks that disabled them from gaining a winning position. They will have to discover candidates who reflect a winning set of core beliefs and future goals to manage a productive campaign.
It will not be easy for Democrats. Republicans control The House, Senate, and the Presidency, giving them a considerable head start for the next election in 2008.
Democrats may be banking on Bush and other republicans to run away with conservative extremism. If such a thrust comes to pass, Democrats might indeed find themselves winning public affection by a consequential backlash that could very well result.
However, such a backlash could also result against Democrats if they rally too hard against republicans or strategize ineffectually. Democrats might be tempted to slow progress of bills in The House and Senate, continue to fund artists who use disingenuous strategies, or find candidates who cannot capture substantive support. The outcome may actually backfire against Democrats. They may find that their efforts push the country further toward conservative values.
George W. Bush is aware of the obvious problems caused by extremist actions. In his acceptance speech, he spoke:
“So today I want to speak to every person who voted for my opponent: To make this nation stronger and better I will need your support, and I will work to earn it. I will do all I can do to deserve your trust. A new term is a new opportunity to reach out to the whole nation. We have one country, one Constitution and one future that binds us. And when we come together and work together, there is no limit to the greatness of America.”
This appears to be a president who will move cautiously and accurately with the country’s best intentions in mind, which should allay the fears posed by the Democratic Party.
What the Democratic Party must learn from the election is that negative campaigning cannot be the major component of a candidate’s platform. The anti-Bush platform was shown to be fruitless. Kerry’s vague references for change lacked details, which did not fool voters.
The Bush team targeted the following areas during his first term: the economy, homeland security, healthcare, and education. There was also national security, the environment, social security, and energy. Parties that do not work to make progressive movements stray from finding solutions to the country’s problems. Detailed changes must be the standard instead of remaining fixated on negative campaigning.
According to the Bush website, “President Bush will continue to pursue a bold agenda of reform and change.” The people who voted for Kerry will certainly be watching this administration’s every move. Those who voted for the Bush team, too, must also exercise the same level of scrutiny.
If Americans find themselves rooted in hate-speech or turning to arguments that are unproductive, the country loses as a whole. Everyone must insist on the best from all political parties, not entertain faulty arguments, nor fall prey to the temptation of negative politics. How else can a healthy democracy and a vibrant America be maintained?
Reference List
CBS News: Transcripts of the Republican National Convention - A New Minority: Liberals All at Sea in a Divided America Gallup: How Americans Voted JSOnline: Focus on Values Drove Many Bush Voters, Polls Find Coping.org: Tools for Handling Loss New York Times: Stunned Democrats Look to the Internal Debate Ahead & How Americans Voted: A Political Portrait Whitehouse: President Bush Thanks Americans in Wednesday Acceptance Speech FOXNews: Track Your Races George W. Bush's Site: The Bush Record