Points to Ponder

Remember that sea of red in the electoral map during the election with its outer borders in blue? Based on the popular vote, they're actually varying shades of purple. Which means that a political counterview may be as close as your neighbor next door.

Reality dictates that we get along. Am I advocating that liberals wave the white flag? Far from it. On the contrary conservatives, though they are now in power, will have to accept that there's a sizeable number of liberals who are here to stay.

So when Mr. Bush starts claiming, "[T]he result is now clear -- a record voter turnout and a broad, nationwide victory", and that "the people have spoken" as proof of a mandate, we know better.

Mr. Bush only got 51% of the vote. One point over 50% is hardly a mandate. Though there was a record number of people who voted for him, a record number of people also voted against him. Let's put that in visual form:

So fellow liberals, take heart. Things look bleak, I know, but all is not lost. I've lived through Martial Law, and I've seen what unchallenged authoritarianism looks like. We're not there. Not yet, so we have to be vigilant and stand guard.

For now, relax. The holidays are upon us. Enjoy your family and friends. We need to recharge. There's much to be done in the next four years.

I will be taking a break myself, but will continue to post my opinions here. I have always been a liberal--my family on both sides have been for several generations--but George Bush politicized me. After last Tuesday, there is no turning back.

• Electoral map image from boingboing.com.
• Pie chart image from pandagon.net.

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