So does this all mean that Bush supporters are happy their regressive polices will be implemented? I'm not asking if they're all evil; its democracy, and if the country has a majority of three-legged people you're going to see a lot of sidewalk development. I'm wondering if Bush supporters think to themselves 'Ha! Social progress down the toilet!' or something. I can see why people voted for Bush (it's just as bad in Australia, believe me) but is anyone HAPPY about it?
My support for Bush involves trade-offs. Red Imperator managed to pin down my thought process in his own post.
I am a relatively extreme social liberal. I support gay marriage on the supposition that civil unions are unconstitutional ("seperate but equal is inherently unequal"). I support affirmative action (because statistics suggest that minorities are more apt to face social and financial hurdles than the white majority). I support freedom of choice (in the short to medium term). I support rational gun control (i.e. stricter registration laws and potentially enforced attendance at a minimum number of gun safety courses for all new owners).
On the other hand, I am far more confident in Bush's ability to handle the economy than Kerry (I find protectionism to be an anathema), and I generally support many of Bush's economic proposals such as social security privatization, capital-gains tax restructuring, and tort reform outside his extreme tax cuts (which, while I can stomach, I don't think need to be quite as high as they are).
I also support Bush's proactive approach to the War on Terrorism, and never felt he should have been "punished" for making the decision that he did in Iraq. I also disliked the notion of letting it seem as if the international community had unduly influenced an American vote. (It's one thing to say we should give lip service to the international community, and another to suggest that every emotional outburst elsewhere in the world should be taken as serious, legitimate criticism of our government.)
It was for those two reasons that I voted Bush. Right now, at least, I'm content to sacrifice unattainable social goals (let's face it; the nation is hugely socially conservative) for security and stability.
Note that the market rose something like more than 170 points today, and that even NPR admitted most of Wall Street was cheering for Bush, whom it believed would be more pro-business than Kerry.
What the hell are you talking about?
I've been feeling a bit defensive since the election night fiasco and your post came right after mine so... Sorry I was a jackass.
