Election results leave me feeling despondent, what can I do?

November 3, 2004 9:42 AM

Considering last night, what can we do, those of us who feel something deeply tragic happened? Not just in the race for the White House, but across America, with the ballot initiatives and the Senate and House races?

Realistic activism for the newly impassioned? Last-ditch attempts to save this sinking ship of a country?

Advice! Opine! Help me! Help us all.
posted by xmutex to society & culture (31 comments total)

See my question on who jates us least below and start packing.
posted by pissfactory at 9:54 AM on November 3, 2004

I expect you'll be chastised for this sort of question in the green, and respondents advised to take it to one of the political blogs, but to the extent that the people here are a specific community that I value (as opposed to the people participating in some random political blog), let me say:

Check out The Free State Project. I haven't signed up yet, but it's a strong contender on my list of options. The "if you don't like it, get out" option is not attractive for several reasons: it doesn't fix America, it doesn't help a lot of people who can't "get out," and you generally aren't allowed to participate wherever you decide to go.
posted by spacewrench at 9:56 AM on November 3, 2004

.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 9:57 AM on November 3, 2004

Uhhh, you could just leave for better land. Up north is nice. :-)
posted by shepd at 10:13 AM on November 3, 2004

Me, I am seriously considering a crack addiction.


at this point, what do I lose?


posted by lilboo at 10:18 AM on November 3, 2004

Thanks for posting this. I was headed over here to post the exact same question.

And to the posters above, ha ha it's funny to recommend Canada, but you know what? I love this country and I want to do whatever I can to make things right.
posted by sugarfish at 10:20 AM on November 3, 2004

Anyone moving from the US and needs help packing, just give me a call.

I'll be more than happy to expedite your leaving.
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 10:26 AM on November 3, 2004

As is made clear by Steve_at_Linnwood's comment, the thing to do is not to give up. There are a lot of progressive causes that need your help. Don't leave the country. You are needed here.
posted by vacapinta at 10:29 AM on November 3, 2004

Do exactly what the religious right and the neo-cons were doing in the 80s.

Get on the school boards. The city councils. The small-time things that you've forgotten about because you've been so obsessed with the bigger picture.

Turn most of the local government liberal, and then it'll spread.
posted by Katemonkey at 10:30 AM on November 3, 2004

Whether or not you liked the outcome of this election, get involved. Find your House Representative and your Senators and tell them through emails, letters or in-person how you feel, as one of their constituents, about the issues.

Try getting involved in the state and local levels as well.

Be informed.
posted by bakiwop at 10:31 AM on November 3, 2004

This sucks. I wasn't trying to make a smartass thread. I felt last night was deeply changing for me and I wanted to find out of there was anything I could do-- realistically-- to help sway things, even in the slightest way.

I don't want to leave America, I want to help it.
posted by xmutex at 10:31 AM on November 3, 2004

Start working on those voters in Oklahoma and Montana and all the other sidelined Red states. Get those people to realize what they've been part of doing, and start working for change with everybody, not just the places the pundits and candidates think are most important.

You can't change a whole country with just two states.

I'm going to try and bully my local representatives more. Now that I know better of how to track what they do and what they're going to be doing, I can be a better citizen. If I can do better, so can America.

So try harder. Don't just be political every fourth (or second) August through October. Of course, I'm just talking out of my ass. I didn't even really give a shit until November 1, and then only did I start to figure out exactly who would get my votes (down to the Circuit Court level even) and why.
posted by codger at 10:59 AM on November 3, 2004

Everyone keeps mentioning Vancouver. Stop it, those of us already here can barely afford it. America has already priced us out of Whistler. I recommend staying where you are and fighting for your country, but here are some options for those thinking of Canada:

Calgary. It's sunny, freaking cold, but the economy is booming. Ok, so it's not cheap there either. Stampede is fun! If you like cowboys, you'll love it. And single gals, the odds are in your favour. Especially if you're into rig pigs.

Ottawa. The Canadian capital. Pretty. So pretty. Hull and it's cheap, seedy bars within walking distance. Museums all over, and in winter you can ice skate to work! Also, rent there is much cheaper.

Halifax. It's isolated, it has loads of fun bars. If you're a disenfranchised alcoholic, you could do a lot worse than Halifax. The people are so friendly it's scary.

The Yukon! If you're coming to Canada, go for the full experience! Wildlife all over - possibly in your kitchen once it kicks the door in as bears sometimes do - rugged, manly lifestyles. This is best suited towards outdoorsy types.

Saskatoon. Pretty pretty! (Outside of winter). It's quite an impressive little metropolis. The upside is you're in Saskatchewan, home of universal health care and other Canadian social staples. The down side - you're in Saskatchewan. Not the place for an Atkins dieter.

So there's your crib sheet. Consider your options.
posted by Salmonberry at 11:14 AM on November 3, 2004

Good comments above. Join groups that will defend your favorite causes; they're going to need help, and on some issues the only question is how much ground we're likely to lose. (Given that the GOP governed as if they had a mandate when they stole the election, imagine their confidence now. It's going to be scorched-earth, baby.)

Get into an organization's ground game. Don't just send them money -- help recruit people. Talk to your neighbors. Communicate across political fences. Find out why they didn't vote the way you wanted; persuade if you can, but also listen.

Work to create a minority party voice in the media. We have a stronger operation in terms of ground organization and media dissemination than we have in my memory, but we need to be even stronger. Lay the foundation now; don't wait for the next election cycle, or for a candidate to get excited about. Luck favors the prepared mind; candidates favor the prepared electorate.

If you're in a red state, it's going to look very much like you should move to a blue state -- or a blue country. Don't. We need you where you are. The Democrats are going to have to field candidates and press issues that will resonate with your neighbors, and that won't happen if you leave and concede the field.

Don't give up on the flag. It's ours, not theirs. Time marches on, and so eventually will the US. Think of the yahoo vote as a boat anchor, not a piano dropping on us.
posted by dhartung at 11:47 AM on November 3, 2004

1. Accept that most Americans want a different country than you.

2. Realize that you are powerless to change their minds or educate them or change them or save them.

3. I'm suggesting that as a protest, forever, against what has been done by this group in your name in the last four years and those who support them, that you permanently give up one vice. One.

Whatever moral or ethical system you subscribe to, examine yourself, find a vice or sin or failure that is personal and commonplace to you, and give it up forever.
Here's a list I suggested to a friend based on his place in space and time, for your consideration: 1. give up meat consumption 2. give up alcohol consumption 3. give up financial donations to church & charity, find another way 4. give up patronizing corporate entities, find local alternatives.
posted by ewkpates at 11:52 AM on November 3, 2004

I think you all need to move to Ohio and Florida. That would seem the prudent move.
posted by Salmonberry at 11:52 AM on November 3, 2004

As an Ottawan, I take strenuous issue with Salmonberry's remarks. Sure we have parks, but we also have French people! Everybody who moves here is mandated to become bilingual by order of Council (two years grace). Also, you have to change your money---Canuk "Dollars" for Quebek Francs---if you want to go drinking in Gatineau (Hull changed it's name last year to attempt to woo back the lucrative strip- and dance-bar trade).

Also, let me disavow Edmonton (brass monkeys avoid it in winter, way too much sky for the claustrophobic urbanite) and Victoria (Last relic of Empire, must like tea and sunshine, also old folks).

In short, if you come to Canada, please locate to Toronto, home of the Good, like every other right-thinking immigrant.

(Seriously, stay at home and work for the better America that the whole world loves).
posted by bonehead at 11:56 AM on November 3, 2004

I am becoming interested in service organizations, and had planned to come over here to ask people's opinions on those. In addition to becoming politically involved, this all makes me feel that I need to spend some time doing something for people who need help, here and around the world. I have a friend who has recommended the Soroptimsts, and I'd like to know what other organizations might be good. I also want to volunteer for nationwide gay-rights organizations, since I feel that they got particularly (excuse this) shafted in this election.

But I want answers to this particular AskMe more than anything else, right now. I said I'd move if this happened, but I can't leave this country when almost half of it seems to agree with my own beliefs.

Right now, I think we all feel like we need to do SOMETHING. I hope we do, no matter how small, and don't give up.
posted by icetaco at 11:56 AM on November 3, 2004

I think you all need to move to Ohio and Florida. That would seem the prudent move.

; )

I thought about posting this question myself. As I wrote in the Kerry Concedes thread, I am starting to feel better, mainly due to 2 things: 1) I shifted my perception to look more at the bigger picture, and 2) I donated to a couple of my favorite political causes. They are going to need it.

Taking action feels a lot better than wallowing. Donate to a worthy cause, join a local grassroots organization, join the school board, get involved in your church if you have one - hell, get into politics! Do something. And realize that though this is a shitty state of affairs, life goes on and there is still plenty of joy and love and good things in the world.
posted by widdershins at 12:09 PM on November 3, 2004

And what katemonkey said.
posted by widdershins at 12:10 PM on November 3, 2004

i think you all need to calm down. the world isn't going to end just yet and the sky most certainly isn't falling. you still live in a place that has freedoms (and riches) many of us dream of. where i live abortion is illegal, the idea that gay people might one day marry simply does not exist, military conscription is a fact of life, and the median family wage wouldn't meet you average american teenager's shopping budget.

you also need to learn, in my deeply humble opinion, that being divisive is not going to get you into power. declaring half your country idiots and fascists is not the smartest move. and preaching to the choir (all those tedious political posts in the blue) doesn't change anything either.

at some point the democrats will find a good, populist, popular leader. until then, they won't get into power (unless the republicans go mad). the only way you're going to make a change before that is by talking to the very people you're either running away from or vilifying.
posted by andrew cooke at 12:26 PM on November 3, 2004

Races for state legislature can be accessible ways to break into politics--licking envelopes, lit drops, etc.
posted by gimonca at 3:42 PM on November 3, 2004

Thank you, Andrew Cooke. You just said what I going to say, but with much more tact than I would have managed!
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 4:54 PM on November 3, 2004

Recognize you are going through the classic stages of grief. Its not the end of the world. Once you're mindful of these two facst you'll be able to think clearly and probably be able to answer your own question.
posted by skallas at 5:45 PM on November 3, 2004

Read this.
posted by codger at 5:58 PM on November 3, 2004

My biggest difficulty with organizing is that the people near me (in my state, or my half of my state) already generally agree with me about the issues I think are most important. I could be as persuasive as Lucifer and I'd just be preaching to the choir.
posted by hattifattener at 6:58 PM on November 3, 2004

Bonehead and Salmonberry, you have both left out Montreal. What are the chances for someone who's French is barely passable to live in the city? Not the countryside, naturally, because Quebec is filled with crazy people.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 8:02 PM on November 3, 2004

Oh Montreal. You betcha.

Montreal is fine for anglophones, because the strippers will take your money know matter what language you speak. The downside is that our ones and twos come in coin form, so you'll have to show up with a fistful of $5 bills. Montrealers are 100 times better dressed than you. I don't care where in the states you live, these are French speaking people and they have the fashion sense to prove it. Traffic laws are such that only New Yorkers can understand them. Good food, relatively easy access to beer. Rents used to be dirt cheap, I hear that's changed.
posted by Salmonberry at 10:43 PM on November 3, 2004

you'll have to show up with a fistful of $5 bills

But that's still only... what? Ten cens, American, right? Just kidding. I joke because in a few years it'll be reversed, and you'll have the hearty laugh. And thanks for the skinny on Montreal. PS - So what's the makeup of beautiful people vs. the rest of us?
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 11:13 PM on November 3, 2004

Gosh. I feel like I'm hunkering down for a nuclear winter, and Dubya hasn't even nuked anyone yet.

I think that first and foremost, we need to continue to make our voices heard whenever the administration does something we find reprehensible... as we surely will. Yes, it will be harder to fight the things we don't like now that the Republicans have the upper hand, but if we keep calling our Congresscritters maybe they can be persuaded to follow a more moderate course. They'd listen to us if Bush tried to start World War III, right? Right?

We need to network just to keep each other afloat. Reach out to those poor beleaguered liberals in the red states and let them know they're not alone. Make conversions over the next four years and make a comeback in 2008.

Furthermore, I think that those of us in a position to do so should donate to charity. A lot of people are already in dire straits as it is as a result of the economy being in the toilet, and I expect it will only get worse. Also, I want to donate to stem cell research, and will start looking for funds I can contribute to or universities I can donate to and earmark the money. Federal funding would have helped dramatically, but the research still needs to be done. I say we have to take matters into our own hands.

One thing that continues to bother me is the question of the next generation. The right-wingers have been attacking the teaching of evolution, sex ed, etc. in schools for some time now, and now that they'll soon have a stacked Supreme Court you can bet they'll try to get prayer in schools and who knows what else. How do we make sure the next generation--not just our own children--grows up educated instead of ignorant? Ensure they're raised to equate morality with tolerance instead of homophobia? That they think critically instead of falling for propaganda?

(if all else fails, I figure we can always offer the evangelicals their own state to do with as they wish. Give them Utah after evacuating all the minorities and let them legalize polygamy. We can always get it back after the Rapture.)
posted by Soliloquy at 12:45 AM on November 4, 2004

the evangelicals their own state to do with as they wish. Give them Utah after evacuating all the minorities and let them legalize polygamy. We can always get it back after the Rapture.

Won't work:

(1) The Mormons were chased here because the other evangelicals couldn't stand us.

(2) Mormons don't believe in the rapture, and will get left behind with the other cults who are going to hell. Which is fine, we'll irrigate just like we did with Utah (but it will probably still be a dry place).

Sorry.
posted by weston at 2:19 AM on November 5, 2004