I was at Happy Hour on Friday with some friends after work. We were unwinding from a stressful week. We were trying to keep the conversation light and cheery when someone brought up George W. We all moaned and asked him not to ruin the weekend's beautiful beginning with that subject.
"If he wins in November, the next four years will be twice as bad as the last four," he said. This didn't catch anyone by surprise - I think many of us believe bad situations usually just get worse. My friend continued: "He can't run again. He'll have nothing holding him back. He wants to solidify his legacy."
That stopped all nearby chit chat. Everyone grew quiet and we all looked around the patio at each other. All of us gay men in our late 20's to early 40's. Most of us in committed relationships. Some of us struggling with the end of unemployment benefits. Others worried about pending layoffs (while the employers report increased profits).
What would George W.'s legacy look like? If he didn't care about the election in 2008, didn't care which constituencies he alienated, what would he do? The thought makes me bow my head and stare at my feet. Kinda the way I do at a wake when I'm contemplating what we've lost along with the soul of the departed.
What will losing in November cost us?
// posted by ralph at
04:11 PM
