I'm not pinning all my hopes on this November's election.

[Philosoraptor]

Not. Gunna. Do it. Not again, I'm emotionally prepared, for either outcome, and If we win, wonderful, if we don't, I'm not going to freak out any more than I already did.

I'm braced for either eventuality. Of course I want the outcome in our favor, just like the last few elections, but I refuse to get my hopes all up in the air just to have the republican MACHINES rip my heart out.

The fight goes on, election or not, victory or defeat, either way, I will keep my head, I will not be fooled by victory, or crushed by defeat, the neo cons aren't just going to slither away, and neither am I.

I have lost all of my sunny optimism long ago, and I will not fool myself into believing that crushing the neo con movement will be easy or quick.

The fight will go on beyond 06 and 08, either way.

[napi21]

1. You have the right idea. It'sway too difficult to recover from

such a GREAT disappointmentBUTwhere I disagree with you is that the neo cons won't ever go away. I honestly believe if control of the congress changes to Dem, I think many of those neo cons will go to prison. It's very difficult for a Party to fight and win anything if so many of them are proven guilty of crimes against the State.

[mmonk]

2. I am

We're at a place in America where people disappear into the night, held without charge, some rendered, etc. In other words, we're at a dangerous place. Keith Olberman was the first to fire back in the mainstream media. But there has to be more. There has to be opposition in the congress. I pin my hopes on '06 because dark precedents may have already occurred and possible worse ones ahead to which America is changed for ultimately a generation. I pin my hope and my hardest fight on '06.

[Lasher]

3. I'm going to try to be just like you.

I remember when the 2004 election results were coming in and it looked like Kerry had won. Then later on everything started drifting the other way. I got so upset I couldn't stand to watch it any more and had to back away from the TV and internet. Then I got commode hugging drunk and went to bed.

This year I'm going to try not to burst into flames or anything like that, regardless of the outcome.

[ThomWV]

9. Then This One Will Be Stolen Too

And you'll be sulking at home disappointed. Meanwhile we'll be looking at plane tickets south.

[blue cat]

4. Good idea

Me too. It took me longer than I would care to admit to get over 2004. I really should have been medicated for depression for a few months but was too depressed to go to the doctor to get medicated.

[Vinca]

5. I wish I had your optimism.

At this stage of the game (my age), I'm depressed at the thought of more years of watching my country deteriorate and I'd rather not spend the rest of my life pissed off 24/7. I am optimistic that we'll take the house back - which would be reason for hope. If a miracle happens and we take both houses there will be dancing in the streets. If the worst happens, I'm looking at Canadian real estate again.

[Preening Fop]

7. Beat You To It......!

2nd home on the western shore of Lake Erie,
Morpeth, Ontario.

While residing outside of the world's current imperial empire,
I am always aware of the fact that every
Canadian Person,
no matter what their financial condition may be,
has health care.

Being curious, (plus aware of terrific restaurants)
I have visited several hospitals in the London area
and anyone will quickly realize,
the modern efficiency, friendliness,
and cleanliness of these facilities.

World Health Organization; Geneva, Switzerland:
Canadian Health Care System, ranked 20th.
U.S., ranked 37th.
Turkey, ranked 43rd.

[marions ghost]

6. The struggle will be ongoing...

I think we learned an important thing from 2004 -- you can't pin all your hopes on electoral victories.
They WILL steal every single election they can. It's a corrupted system.

At the same time there's lots of work to do. Because of the crimes of the present government, it's easier to say "no more." We needed to see how bad it really is. We have met the enemy and he is us.

Drawing a line in the sand.

[ThomWV]

8. I Think This Is Our Last Shot At Democracy

I believe if we lose this election there will never be another one.

[Preening Fop]

10. From An Interview Of John Dean on Hardball This Week.......

John Dean
in his closing comment made mention,
this upcoming election would answer the question of
whether or not the majority of U.S. voters are stupid
as claimed by the Europeans.

[zanne]

11. It'll be a lot harder to steal elections this time...

If the Republican machines "malfunction", it'll be alot tougher on them to claim victory. Too many people will be doubtful. This isn't 04'. Alot has happened in two years and millions of people have finally opened their eyes. Any "doubtful" outcome will enrage too many people.

[USA_1]

12. Dems Can Win - If They Want It

During the 1960s and 70s, they used Vietnam as the means to defeat Republicans. Today, they stupidly refuse to do so with the Iraq war. It's all about choice: they can win if they want it but it's a good bet they'll allow the Repukeblicans to win again in November.

[ThomWV]

13. During the 60's and 70's People Were In The Streets Everywhere

Where are they now?

For one thing a lot of them are handing out carts at Wal Mart entrances all over the country. Gotta eat.

Students who face no chance what so ever of forced armed service to country will never go out in droves to protest armed service to their country. Parents who stand no chance of seeing their children pressed into military service will never go out in droves to protest military service. Its really that simple.

[applegrove]

14. Very Wise words. You have to hold a little back. These are tough

times. God knows what the october surprise will be. We know GOP is very crafty. I believe people in America will see the surprises..."my - how far low can gasoline go?" and take it with a grain of salt..and vote Dem anyhoo.

But just in case. Don't put all your heart on the line on election day. Put all of your heart out there in the drive to register more Democrat supporters and into the campaign. And make that your end goal for ALL YOUR HEART. Getting as many people out to vote and driving all day long that day....or driving people to early polls in the month before.

That is where you put your heart. In the best efforts.

Personally, I think you'll be happily surprised on Election day. But * will still be President for 2 more years. So..go easy on thinking these horrid events will be over with come November. Not by a long shot.

Recommended!

[Eric J in MN]

15. Makes sense. Democrats lost Senate seats in 2004, in spite

...of exectations to gain them. Rigged machines may have been a factor in some of those close elections.

[rock]

16. Yep. You would need something solid to pin

your hopes on, like say sane or informed voters. (Not much chance of that.)

[sandnsea]

17. It's a long fight, yes

Even if we win both houses in November, that won't mean people will understand the futility of conservatism, many on DU don't even get it. It doesn't work, it's never worked, old-time Republicans weren't right about it either. Business needs regulation, prosperity requires social programs, the rich should pay more taxes, diplomacy is better than war. Democratic policies work and we aren't anywhere near convincing Democrat of that, let alone independents and republicans.