archived: 12 - 18 Dec, 2004 Back Next
ERIC COX
“An Amazing Election”
In my last [letter] on [TPJ] I listed some 10 reasons why Kerry would win.
They were valid but not sufficient. I did not realize that conflating the three G issues--God, gays and guns and lots of terrorist alerts of various hues would carry the day for Bush by scaring the voters.
Two
characteristics of this election continue to amaze me.
The high degree of misinformation was mind-boggling. Surveys show that many
voters thought WMD had been found and that Saddam was behind the 9/11 attack.
There is an inexcusable reason for this ignorance, namely our subservient media
with both the New York Times and the Washington Post apologizing for taking the
Administration at its word. Most key media people were unwilling to say that we
were being tricked with a massive con job.
The second amazing factor was the inversion of values. Divisive wedge issues
passed for values – prayer in schools, gay bashing, xenophobia, uncritical
nationalism, among other issues pitting neighbor against neighbor. These issues
excluded a value which is key to the major religions--helping the least of
us--the poor and disadvantaged. Also, it can be argued that values are turned
upside down when they lead to a depleted, befouled planet by the trashing of
environmental standards. Also an inversion of values is present in amassing an
immense public debt to be paid by our children.
Jimmy Carter stated six months ago that Bush would win, as we reelect president
during wars. We did so with Madison and McKinley and we elected Polk in part on
his desire to go to war. Both Bushes, Thatcher and Reagan soared in the polls
with their wars. The sad truth is that wars work, politically.
JOHN POLIFRONIO
“Remember”
Junkie: In response to Junkie Editor Michael Carmichael’s feature this week, DEJA VU – NEVER AGAIN!, Polifronio responded:
It's important to keep in mind that like nearly everything else in the world, the loss of our democracy, is almost certainly a temporary matter. What has been lost can be rediscovered and strengthened, in the light of a new found wisdom about the fragility of our democracy.
Last Update: 03/23/2006