Bush win likely... sigh :(

Well, contrary to my earlier hope/prediction, doesn't look like the youth vote and huge turnout were enough to offset the similar turnout of religious and gay-intolerant voters.  Unless Kerry pulls out a late upset in Ohio, it's gonna be another 4 years of W.   Very depressing.

While i do not agree with democratic positions on all fronts, i think it's more important to promote the priniciples and ideals of equality, diversity, and inclusion over that of privilege and status quo.  I may agree with republicans on issues of free trade and smaller government, however i disagree on issues such as the environment, restricting abortion, and expansionist foreign policy.

Furthermore i am a strong believer in the separation of church and state, and i see that being muddied by the republican party.  In fact I find it curious that many of my friends who call themselves libertarian tend to align with republicans, when currently so many traditional libertarian goals and values have been discarded by this administration and the republican party.  George Bush is certainly no libertarian.

I am hopeful that in the future our political process will provide more centrist options in both majority parties that can provide an acceptable candidate to a larger portion of the population.  Candidates like Schwarzenegger -- something of a fluke becoming the republican governor in a democratically-controlled majority state -- are closest to the model I'd like to see.   Perhaps if the constitution is modified, he could be a presidential candidate in 2008 or 2012.  At the moment however, due to the current primary process most presidential candidates tend to come from the extremes of their parties.

In summary, I'm disappointed that a majority of our country still feels that George Bush and his positions represent leadership.  To me his presidency represents incompetence, deception,  and mismanagement.  However, it does appear that at this point in our history I am in the minority.

Very depressing.

I guess Jon Stewart will have another very busy four years...