yeaaa!

[OakLeaf]

:::treading very, very lightly....:::

The reason I cried for an hour last night is not because "we won" - precisely the opposite.

It's because Americans in this small but very public way have rejected the politics of hate and division. It's because we said that we no longer want every day to be about "we won" and "you lost."

I'm well aware that hate and division are alive and well, and were the victor or appear headed for victory in several statewide races . I'm also well aware that as President... well, never mind.

But for what last night as a whole says about America - I'm very proud. It's nothing short of breathtaking, really. And I can let go of at least a little bit of the recent despair.

[Crankin]

Well, here in the bluest of blue states, we are all pretty happy, if exhausted.
We had 3 ballot initiatives. They got a lot of interest during the election. The first was to abolish the income tax; it lost 70-30. The second was to decriminalize one ounce or less of marijuana; it passed by a 65% margin. The other one that passed was the one to abolish dog racing. I won't talk about that one.

I am supposed to go on a 35 mile ride today and I don't want to...

[OakLeaf]

We also had five statewide ballot initiatives.
(1) - made it harder to bring future initiatives to the ballot - passed
(2) - bond issue for environmental reconstruction - passed
(3) - the only one that might be considered strange - to enshrine in the state Constitution existing common law concerning riparian and underground water rights. I honestly didn't understand the issues very thoroughly, and I don't think very many people did, but mainly looked to the endorsements of organizations that I'm familiar with. Passed.
(5) - [yes that's right, there was no 4, as it was removed from the ballot] - the so-called "payday lending" initiative, to limit the interest rate on short-term loans to 28%. Despite an advertising barrage by the loan shark industry, passed handily, though by a slightly smaller margin than the previous four issues.
(6) - to build a casino. There were actually casino interests on both sides of this one - support from the company that had already lined up contracts for the monopoly casino, and opposition from other players in the business. Defeated.

[Tri Girl]

I cried when California was officially announced and he was named President-Elect. I've never been emotional about politics, but this one made me so happy!!!!!

"Yes We Can" now needs to become "Yes We Will"!!!!

I'm proud of ALL Americans who turned out to vote. With a regular voter turnout at a pathetic 54%, this election spoke volumes about people no longer wanting to be complacent in our electoral process. Go America (and I'm sure the rest of the world is just as glad it's all over).

[Presto]

I went to bed anxiously, hanging on to a last shred of optimism. I woke up in despair. And just can't stop crying.

I'm not married any more.

My soul said I was married. My family said I was married. My minister said I was married. My church said I was married. The State of California said I was married. Even our photographs said I was married.

[Andrea]

I went to bed anxiously, hanging on to a last shred of optimism. I woke up in despair. And just can't stop crying.

I'm not married any more.

My soul said I was married. My family said I was married. My minister said I was married. My church said I was married. The State of California said I was married. Even our photographs said I was married.

I'm really sorry to hear that. So many people that can't stop trying to impose their beliefs on to others. Hopefully we can move forward in the future

[Tuckervill]

I'm sorry, Presto. It's a sad day for foster children in Arkansas, as well, as the bigots passed an amendment preventing single people (read=gay) from serving as foster or adoptive parents. The ballot should have had two choices:

NO
YES, I SIGN UP TO BE A FOSTER PARENT

Karen

[OakLeaf]

((((((((Presto, & all others in that position)))))))

I don't mean to discount by one iota the significance of what happened. It's a devastating loss to myself as an outsider to that struggle both geographically and personally; I can only imagine what it must mean to you.

But: Your soul still says you're married. Nothing the state or hateful voters can do can change that. Your family, I hope, will still say you're married. Your minister, your church, your photographs still say you're married. The State has a great deal of power indeed, but it can't dictate to your soul or your deity.

-Oak, married in our souls, in the eyes of both our families, and before our "higher power," but (by choice in solidarity with those who cannot choose) not in the eyes of our State.

[alpinerabbit]

I hope I am wrong, but I am terrified. Probably I wouldn't care so much except for Andy. The first steps will be to suppress any opposition, then the civilian security force, then who knows.

vickie

As a watcher from across the pond, I think there is little reason to be afraid, just as there is little reason to believe this equals the second coming and everything will be just peachy.

It would not have been much different the other way round.
There's no complete control of congress for the dems, there are obligations and loose ends.

I am very sorry about the individual decision that cut into people's lives.

[Brandi]

I was hoping not to see anything like this on my safe haven, TE.
Just so you know we are not all celebrating. I hope I am wrong, but I am terrified. Probably I wouldn't care so much except for Andy. The first steps will be to suppress any opposition, then the civilian security force, then who knows.
I couldn't even read this whole thread. I hope I am wrong.
vickie

I am truely sorry things did not work out in your favor. For some of us we were in that boat for 8 years. But I always give a chance to whoever is in office and soemtimes it works and other's it doesn't. MCcain ran a really hard race and a race that will never be forgotten. They are both very good men. But we need change. I hope your fears don't happen. Sincerly.

[mary9761]

I went to bed anxiously, hanging on to a last shred of optimism. I woke up in despair. And just can't stop crying.

I'm not married any more.

My soul said I was married. My family said I was married. My minister said I was married. My church said I was married. The State of California said I was married. Even our photographs said I was married.

I'm so sorry {{{{{Presto}}}}}.. The country has come so far but has so much further to go...