Friends, it has become apparent to me over the past 12 hours that a
unique
>paradigm shift has occurred in the United States away from the
baseball,
>white picket fences, and apple pie of the past (to me known as
moderation)
>to neo-conservativism. Indeed, the majority of Americans are in fact
right
>wing, conservatives.
>
>
>
>This election wasn't about the issues: the economy, jobs, the war,
health
>care, social security, taxes, the deficit, education. Shall I keep
>going???...
>
>
>
>This election was about God, Guns, and Gays. Sadly, the majority of
the
>country thinks in terms of fundamental ideologies instead of the hard
>realities. It has become apparent to me that the majority of the
country
>lives in fear. Fear of going to hell if one supports a pro-choice
>candidate. Fear that of our soccer fields will turn into mine fields
if
>one supports a candidate that examines the nuanced complexities of
foreign
>policy. Lastly, fear and homophobia that John & Jim living happily
next
>door will somehow affect and turn our children into dysfunctional
members
>of society.
>
>
>
>Americans through political discourse can argue about taxes or
education or
>how to correct the economy. Friends, it is impossible to have open
and
>honest dialogue with people who live in constant fear. God, Guns,
Gays.
>
>
>
>I will not live in fear.
>
>
>
>On a personal note, the past four years has been an incredible
personal
>journey for me. I find that my own travels and emotions mirror those
of
>the campaign. John Kerry and John Edwards made Ohio a second home
during
>the past year. I watched and listened to Bruce Springsteen belt out
songs
>about your struggles and mine. I listened to Bruce sing, "No
Surrender,
>Born in the USA, and The Rising..."
>
>
>
>And I think of another song title that I am sure Bruce could write,
"Got my
>ballot in one hand, passport in the other." Would it not be nice to
think
>of a place we could go with peace, equality, and hope for all? I was
>robbed in 2000, but I feel beaten in 2004.
>
>
>
>Out of these depths, however, I find strength. Since 2000, we have
created
>an energy. While this energy did not carry us home to victory, this
>energy, this hope, this passion for change remains in us all. They
cannot
>take that away from us. If that requires us to roll up our sleeves,
then
>so be it. If it requires us to take back our local communities, then
so be
>it. We may not be able to make a difference to everyone, but we can
make
>that difference in someone's life.
>
>
>
>Our challenge today is to not let our passion for a greater democracy
that
>represents ALL people die with yesterday's setback. We'll be beaten
and
>robbed during our journey, but our measurement will be our resolve to
>continue.
>
>
>
>I will not live in fear.
>
>I plan on continuing. Will you join me?
>
>