Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
--Mark Twain

The world is divided into people who think they are right.
--Source unknown

I have one share in corporate Earth, and I am nervous about the management.
--EB White

OK, my time of mourning is over. I'm gradually emerging from the depression I felt after Kerry conceded and it became apparent that we were in for four more years of the George W. Bush presidency. I don't think I'd felt this disillusioned and downhearted since my second divorce. I even resorted to some retail therapy to help see me though, purchasing the third season DVDs of the "West Wing" TV show. And for a few days, my wife, Shonnie, and I consoled ourselves with the imaginary activities of our make-believe president, Jed Bartlett, liberal Democrat from New Hampshire. Plus lots of pizza.

Though dismayed by the results of the election, a part of me was glad it finally was over. The presidential election went on far too long, cost way too much, was a highly negative process and proved to be extraordinarily divisive. It's hard to imagine anyone wanting to put himself or herself through this barbaric and merciless process. Maybe it's true what Douglas Adams said: "Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job."

Given this rancorous atmosphere, it was really easy to get into an us versus them mode, each side demonizing the candidates as well as each other. Many Bush supporters considered Kerry fans to be elitist, tree hugging, fetus killing heathen. Many Kerry devotees looked upon Bush followers as sanctimonious, intolerant war mongering ignoramuses.

The truth, of course, is that there's much more that connects the citizens of the good old USA than divides us. We all want to love and be loved. We all want our children to grow up in a nurturing society. We all want to be free to express our spirituality in a way that fits for us. As Lama Surya Das said: "Since we're all together on this planet, we need to care about unity. There aren't just Democrats and Republicans. There's only us-humanity-and we're all together."

Many of us in the 48 percent minority have begun to emerge from the depths of our post-election blues and are wondering, "What's next?" In the past few days I've heard a variety of responses ranging from becoming more active in progressive undertakings to expatriation in Canada or Costa Rica. And maybe there will come a time to vote with one's feet. For me, however, it's still too early to be making any big decisions. There are lessons to be discerned from the recent events, and it's wise to let the dust settle before trying to do the discerning. Nonetheless a few things I am currently ruminating:

Is the electoral process broken beyond repair?
It appears that only rich white guys who are willing to run the gauntlet of intense scrutiny and hateful derision will be nominated for president anytime soon. In addition, it takes millions of dollars to run for the highest office in the land, and whoever comes out the winner is beholden to the big money guys. Not to mention the hodgepodge of methods for how Americans register, vote and have their votes counted across the nation, almost ensuring that some voters are disenfranchised and voting irregularities, especially with electronic voting systems, are far too frequent. Right now there are millions of voters who believe there is evidence that the 2004 presidential election was rigged, and the story is starting to gain some traction, moving from bloggers on the Internet to the cable news channels.

Whither the Democratic Party?
Personally, I found myself supporting the Democratic candidate for president not because I was fully on board with his vision for America. In fact, I still don't know what Kerry's vision for America was. I found myself supporting him because he wasn't George W. Bush. Until the Democratic Party reorganizes itself and decides what it stands for, its fortunes will continue to decline. I believe what is called for is a movement toward a party of progressive reform--election reform, campaign finance reform, budget reform, and healthcare reform to mention a few.

Is there any good news?
There is some good news and some bad news. First the bad news: Bush has been re-elected president. The good news: He has to clean up the messes he's created himself. The war in Iraq still rages with approximately 100,000 civilians-half of them women and children-killed since the US invasion according to a recent study published in the Lancet medical journal. The federal deficit still looms large. And al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden remains on the loose.

Finally a bit of unsolicited advice for those who may be wondering what now to do: First take a deep breath. Maybe several. Relax. Spend some time in the mountains or at the seashore. Read a good book, possibly pure fiction. Watch some Seinfeld reruns. Have coffee with friends. And pay attention to what's going on around you. If you give yourself a little time and space, your next step will become apparent.

We have been dealt a disheartening setback. But, to paraphrase Camus, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. We are many and we are committed to our role as citizen-activists. Some of us merely need some space to process what's transpired and then to regain our vision of the compassionate, just and sustainable world that we intend to create.

Remember that many progressive causes have become the law of the land-the eight-hour work day, the minimum wage, Social Security, women's rights and civil rights to name a few. The clock cannot be turned back though there are forces that think they can do so. Gays and lesbians will one day get all of the rights and privileges due them including the right to marry. The US war machine will finally grind to a halt stretched too thin around the world. Huge corporations will one day have to consider the needs of citizens and not just the bottom line. And one day the government of this country will be in the hands of true public servants dedicated to serving all the people of this great land.

When love and forgiveness, imagination and openness, compassion and tolerance always have a place at the table, then we can trust that we are feeding our souls with the food that connects us to that mystery which sustains us, that presence which adores all of creation, and, if we will allow it, will light our path, even through the darkest of times.

--Genevieve Fortuna, Jubilee! Community, Sunday, November 7, 2004