Bush or continued democracy?

Well, here we go.

Where we go, on this Nov. 1, is entirely unclear.

A few days after the election, it will be time to begin comment and conversation on what comes next.

Win or lose, the Republican Party under Bush/Cheney/Rove/Rumsfeld/Ashcroft, et al, owes this country big time, though, of course, they never will acknowledge what they’ve done to us. And I’m not talking only the war, the economy, growing poverty, failing health care and educational systems and the rest of the much-discussed issues.

It may be that in the long run the worst of their crimes, the one that will take the United States down, is the blatant subversion of our electoral system in two national elections and the resulting destruction of many Americans’ faith in that system.

It’s something we’re all going to have to look at and talk about. If Kerry wins, there is some chance that the integrity of the election process and our faith can be restored through much work and some hellish fights. If Bush holds on to the White House, by whatever means, restoration seems to me doubtful.

But later for that. I won’t turn on radio or television news tomorrow until after the polls close, probably not until they close in California. The airwaves will be full of the most awful, untrustworthy bullshit. It will upset but not enlighten.