What This Means

So we have an anti-abortion executive branch, a Republican Legislature, and a Chief Justice in poor health. I'm looking forward to a filibuster-free nomination to the Supreme Court which will result in a judicial branch that narrowly and correctly interprets the Constitution, because that's the ONLY thing that could possibly justify voting for a Republican.
I'm hoping that Bush's olive-branch to the Kerry voters is a sign that he will moderate in the next four years. Some could argue that W's conservativism will run rampant now that he has no fear. But I like to believe that it will actually free him from having to pander to the ultra-right wing. The Oval Office tends to have a centrifugal effect, and I'm hoping that will prove true* over the next four years.
I'm also hoping that both parties get the memo: America wants to be ethically-sound in its advancement of human dignity and freedom. The Democrats need to rethink their platform and its unhealthy disregard for the rights of unborn children. Meanwhile the Republicans need to rethink their unhealthy disregard for just war, just wages, sensible foreign policy, working poor, debt relief, immigrant rights, racial inequality, socioeconomic justice, environmental justice, sustainable agriculture, alternative energy, restrictions on firearms, nuclear disarmament, and just about everything...

...although most of the owness is on the American public.

I was heartened to see that the American people have not been led astray on the issue of marital concupiscence. In order for a marriage to exist, there has to be one man and one woman. This proper definition of marriage was severely threatened by the decision of the Massey courts. Domestic partnership benefits are pretty much de facto law anyway. I'm sure civil unions are right around the corner. But let's not tamper with the definition of marriage, please; that would open up one horrifying Pandora's Box.

The Democrats would also do well to reconsider their disregard for keeping Pandora's boxes closed and slippery slopes left alone. It will be interesting to see what they decide to do next. It will also be interesting to watch Barak Obama's cursus honorum and where that leaves him in 2008. If my favorite papabile, Cardinal Arinze, gets elected in the next conclave, it would be a great day for Africa. Imagine pairing that coups with the first African-American president? Whoopee!

*[Quick update for Thursday, Nov.4th~ if anyone watched the President's first post-election press conference, it would seem my wish is being fulfilled. The President is clearly going to demand as much cooperation from his own party as he is requesting it from the Democrats. I like to see that. I also like when he reveals his moral conviction. Notice how he says we have to be about the business of getting things accomplished such as taxes-blah, social security blah blah, and helping the poor. You can all laugh at me if you'd like, but I am pleased as punch when the leader of our nation lists as a top priority helping the poor around the world. Another moment I liked Bush was his unequivocal mandate to the UN that stem-cell research and human cloning must be scrutinized by the world community before widespread endorsement leads us to inevitable disaster. I want the leader of the free world proclaiming moral truth. Truth always has a nice ring to it. It's some of the other statements Bush makes that worry me, such as, "we're gonna hunt 'em down 'n' git 'em!" or " those who oppose us will be destroyed."]