What?!?!?

Okay, so perhaps deep down I knew this would happen. I mean, even on NPR I heard an insane amount of people discussing how they were voting for Bush because he is a "good Christian" (whatever that means..). And yes, Mitch Daniels, the new Republican governor-elect (the first Republican Indiana Governor in 16 years) did an excellent job of marketing. A bus tour to local small town festivals is a pretty smart way to connect with the "Everett Man" of Indiana. But despite all the glaring evidence of how this election would end up, I watched in horror into the wee hours of the night- hoping that some mistake would change the electoral numbers....I awoke this morning, dragging myself out of bed to get ready and dragging myself through this day.

Fortunately, I have some wonderful friends and I got to spend the emotional evening with them, drinking Newcastle, snacking away and laughing a lot! There were even a few Bush fans and we all managed to tease with good conscience and no hard feelings.

As Emily, one my close friends and one of last nights participants noted today: "Hopefully by the time our generation and our children compose the majority of voters and politicians, America will have stopped taking its fortune for granted." We truly are a fortunate country and I need to remind myself to not take for granted all the opportunities this country has offered me. However, I also think it is important for us all to be conscious that the opportunities and systems that may be right for us, may not be right for everyone else outside this country...

Now, I'll let it go and move forward with my family, friends, and fellow citizens. I will continue to have faith that those of us who are conscious of a broader world view will eventually shape this nation into one that I can confidently say I am proud of.