[lookout123]

sorry to be melodramatic folks but i was a bit surprised when i logged in here today. the reason i enjoy the cellar is because of the people who i find here. while we often disagree on issues, the strong majority of cellarites are rational people. but i think it may be time for wolf, bri, and whoever else can help to break out the meds - bring it down a level folks.

i'm not suggesting that anyone should be happy that their candidate failed to be elected. i understand that it pisses you off. i even understand the reasons why you think this is a catastophe. mourn your candidacy in an honorable fashion and then start preparing for the next go 'round with the lessons learned this year.

But remember above all - this happens every four years. the US political scene is just like a big pendulum. It swings way out the right for awhile and the it comes back and swings way out to the left and then it swings way out to the right and then... do you see a pattern?

America goes to far to the fringes at times - but just like a pendulum it always comes back. and it will this time too. just look forward to the day when the D's can gloat over the R's who are crying their beer over another missed opportunity - remember 1996?

the facts still remain that in 2004 the democratic party did not put forward a ticket that people felt comfortable supporting. Kerry and Edwards are most likely good men who would have done the best they knew how to do if elected. but the ticket was spoiled. 51% of Americans didn't were turned off to the idea of those two in office. there are a lot of reasons. probably the biggest being Kerry's post vietnam actions. some of it boils down to the fact that while we heard over and over that only the rich would have their taxes raised - middle class america knows that it doesn't really work that way.

My hope is that the leadership of the democratic party spends the next four years taking their party back from their own extremists. a strong moderate democratic party is one that a majority of americans would back. a D party that truly focuses on good jobs, good education, and a strong but reasonable approach to the world beyond our borders would draw people back and lure a lot of moderate R's in. If Kerry really was the person he pretended to be after the Clinton leadership team came on board he would have been elected. i honestly believe that. unfortunately he had a record that didn't fit with the new image. (a problem that any sitting senator will face in a presidential race)

In also hope that a new party will take root to pull the moderate republicans back toward the middle. if the Libertarian party wasn't so over the top in their idealism they could do it. unfortunately there are too many Radars within their midst to gain broadbased support quickly. but, hopefully the party will mature and adopt a more realistic approach to the world as they gain more seats in the government.

anyway - those are my thoughts. accept them or ridicule them - it's your choice.