The morons are in power, so we've kicked back and we're falling behind
"What Can You Do?," Bad Religion

I've been telling my friends (some of them downright suicidal) that this, too, shall pass. It's hard to see that right now, what with many of our supposed "leaders" doing their best impressions of rabid raccoons. But what the hell. I'm not wrong just because the loons are out in force.

Some folks seem to believe that the true interpretation of the recent election is that Americans want to outlaw abortion, eliminate the teaching of evolution from public schools and spend ourselves into a hole the size of, well, Texas.

Yeah, whatever.

I'm tired of the gleeful disdain of the Republicans and their pals, and I'm even more tired of the moaning and groaning and griping of the Democrats. Hey, turnout was good, but not good enough. Was it due to dirty tricks? No. Was it due to apathy? No. For whatever reason, 115 million people, not 120 million people, cast ballots. Most everyone agrees that almost all of the possible additional 5 million votes would have gone for Kerry. They didn't vote. Kerry lost. That's life, friends.

I'm not moping. I'm not bitter or angry. I'm watching, and I'm waiting. Once all the crazies (and I mean this literally; did you see that clip of Dr. James Dobson lecturing George Stephanopolous--whose dad is a Greek Orthodox priest--on how to be a proper vindictive Christian? Yowsers.) clear the stage, then we'll find out what will happen. Then it will be time to go to work.

That's right, work. Protesting what needs to be protested and fighting what needs to be fought. Critiquing the worst laid plans and making sure that they get fixed or tossed. You think a "minority" can't do this? Then you weren't paying attention to what happened in 1993 when the Democratic-controlled Congress refused to implement Clinton's excessively complicated health care plan. Just because you control most of the government doesn't mean you should govern based on your basest instincts.

But all that's in the future. It doesn't matter now. What happens now is that the nuttiest of the bunch come out to crow. Let 'em. Ignore them. Make fun of them, if you like, but by no means worry about them. Pay attention to your own concerns. Me, I've got a second son arriving in about a month. My son Max will turn three in February. I've got to set aside some time and money to rebuild my porch. I really ought to replace those cracked tiles in my kitchen. All that is a whole lot more to me than the recent election.

As it should be. Even if the morons are in charge, we have to live our lives the best way we know how. And if we have to clear a little chaff out of the path, so be it. Quicherbichen, folks, and grow up. Take responsibility for your own lives. Don't let the bastards get you down. Pick whatever bumper sticker aphorism you like, and go with it.

Just don't complain to me. I don't want to hear it. Democracy isn't perfect, but it's reasonably fair. And until more people decide to think before they vote, well, elections may not go the way we might like. I can live with that, because I have a life.

And so do you.

Jon Worley is truly pissed that both of his football teams have four wins or fewer in the middle of November. Now that sort of thing is definitely worth a bender or two.