My Opinion on the Election

This election has created quite a political stir. This website, a melting pot of the ski community has become divided and even bitter. Despite the state of the site, there is a much larger concern present that is quite honestly, the elephant in the room.

The entire nation has been engulfed in a fiery battle of partisan politics. People have become strongly divided amongst themselves concerning this election. Division does indeed rip holes, but the division should also be lauded at the same time as a beacon of hope – that Americans are still concerned about politics. Whether their concern deals with moral convictions, benefits, or beliefs; they are at the very least involved and concerned on some level. There is no argument over whose concerns are more properly founded, because that is rhetorical in and of itself. That is the nature of politics.

Those with short memory spans and short lives (thus far) must bear in mind that political power flies like a pendulum. Democrats have enjoyed their fair share of congressional and executive dominance, now it is clearly the Republican’s time. It is therefore the duty of all of us, from the young people on your street to those in government, to either support with sound reasoning, or to provide loyal opposition. The importance of loyal opposition is more so than in many years. The intensity of arguments pertaining to the Bush agenda is quite prominent, and it should stay that way. Bowing your heads and waving the white flag, is resignation to those in power, you are relinquishing your ability, and your right, to criticize. In an era where international relationships are shifting, a new national identity is being forged, perceptions of issues are changing, where the fate of the middle east is up in the air with a thousand guns pointed at it; well, now is when your voice is needed most. Congress has been streamlined and the Bush administration’s ability to enact its policies is more easy than before. Therefore the cry against them must be increased. Not because of hatred, abhorrence, disgust, anger, but because criticism is paramount to progression. Do not let hard line divisions, and the stinging feeling of defeat put you on your couch where you don’t care, because then you lose, and you lose because you chose to – raise your voice; every vote counts, every voice counts.

Dually so, we are nonetheless stuck with this man for the next four years. And that must be accepted, no amount of wishing will make him disappear. Despite all the arguments, the anger, the differences I have with Bush and his decisions he remains my president. I will therefore continue to present my case against those policies I find offensive or ill-founded. There is widespread doubt about this man’s capability stemming from both ends of the political spectrum, and I should hope that Bush’s resolve for this term will be to hush those doubts. He is a man of conviction, a positive trait, but in the ambiguity that is American politics, a dangerous one as well. I pray that he takes a more adaptive, more progressive approach to this term. That is essential in restructuring this nation, Iraq, and foreign relationships. President Bush has been provided with a great opportunity, the first part being the President of this great nation, second, the ability to create for himself a lasting and most effectual mark on history – the ability to direct this nation and the rest of the world in a positive direction. His legacy is tainted thus far; no matter where you stand you cannot deny the simple fact that this presidency has its blemishes, but the prominence of those blemishes can be diminished according to his ability to lead this country. There need yet be no critical assessment of him. We liberals, and conservatives must recognize this term as a new beginning and let judgment wait. The world hangs in a delicate balance and we must hope and more importantly work toward a better future for this great nation.


-AndrewP
----------------------

Per solitudinem ardere in remedium formidinis dictitabat.
'It is often said that the best remedy for fear is to burn alone.'