Election reactions

[Poll #377955]

(no subject)

This journal entry works from the assumption that Bush is a mistake, that if everyone in the US had the brains and information necessary, they would not have made this choice. Given that assumption, I have a number of questions and thoughts.

What caused this?

I'd like to claim that here in the US, we have a more persistent problem than just a voting system in havoc or an unusually weak presidential candidate (or presentation thereof). I feel that perhaps the biggest problem, however, is how poorly informed most Americans are. Some of the problems which have contributed to our current situation, however, include:

1. lack of media literacy
   
2. bias in the media
   
3. poorly informed voters who vote without adequate research and thought
   
4. a disorganized voting system (ballots being lost, registration forms thrown out, non-trustworthy voting machines, etc.)
   
5. vote counting method (choose one vs. ranked choice vs. condorcet, etc.)
   
6. a candidate who was either weak, or poorly presented to the public (is this what people are talking about when they complain about the DNC handling things all wrong?)
   
7. the system whereby campaigns are funded (which amounts to publicity for whoever is benefitting the rich people best)
   
8. the political geography; that is, the fact that liberals tend to clump together (although we lost the popular vote too, not living in the bubble we choose would encourage more exposure to new ideas on both sides of the table, and so if we're really "right," perhaps those in the middle of the country would become more educated about the matter)
   
9. the electoral college system? (is this a good thing or a bad thing in your opinions?)
   
10. Whatever it is that causes americans to avoid political discussion -- be it that we are too polarized, that we as a culture avoid confrontation, or what -- this needs to go. Progressive voters could be sprinkled across the country evenly, but if we never get to talk politics with our neighbors etc., our presence wouldn't do much to help change their minds (emphasis on the much).

Did I miss anything?

What can I do to change this?

The way I look at it, we can spend the next four years running around trying to clean up the mess Bush makes, or we can try to get to the source and fix things which will prevent this sort of problem in the long run.

But where to start? I have no idea if any of these things are things that I could conceivably help change through activism in the next four years.

Do you have any idea?

What Happens Now?

For many of you, the option of moving to another country is a mere hypothetical. For me, it is something I could do tomorrow.

I had planned to stay in the US, teach high school for five years to pay off my perkins loan (all 14K+ of it!), and then move to Canada at that point, either to Vancouver or Toronto.

The question is, does the election results change this at all?

I couldn't be drafted as far as I can tell -- I'm queer, have bad knees, bad eyes, and asthma.
I could lose the right to abortion and birth control, but that's not very likely according to some people.
Are there any reasons why staying here is hurting me more than its helping me?

There's two ways of looking at things:
If I stay, I can take action to change the political system over the next four years, before I move back to Canada. After all, I'd be a fool if I thought that American politics don't affect the rest of the world, and most especially Canada. And I have friends here I care about, who will have to live with what happens after this. I'm not concerned with the ethics of abandoning the United States -- I was raised in Canada and still primarily identify as such -- but I am slightly concerned about the fate of any friends I leave behind. Sure, they can look after their own interests to a point, but... I worry about the future of this country and the way it would impact the people I'd be leaving behind.

If I leave, I won't run the risk of getting too emotionally involved with people out here and becoming emotionally invested in staying against my best interests. I'll also have health care within three months of moving. I also would have the option of moving in with my parents if I so chose and taking some time to get my head on straight or go back to school, although it is questionable whether I could make any psychological progress while living with my parents.

Anyone have any thoughts on any of this?

On a lighter note...

[Poll #378341]