There have been a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking-type stories about why we lost this election. I think there were a whole lot of reasons, but I can tell you that among them are not "because John Kerry was a poor candidate" or "because of the gay issue." I will write more on the former as time allows, but on the latter, I will turn it over to Langston Hughes, whose poem Democracy has been popping up in various blogs the past few days. (And, for the record, if the "gay issue" had any bearing whatsoever on this election, it was not the fight for equal rights that is the problem; it's the unmitigated bigotry that makes that fight necessary in the first place.)
Now over to you, Mr. Hughes.
Democracy
Democracy will not come
Today, this year
Nor ever
Through compromise and fear.
I have as much right
As the other fellow has
To stand
On my two feet
And own the land.
I tire so of hearing people say,
Let things take their course.
Tomorrow is another day.
I do not need my freedom when I'm dead.
I cannot live on tomorrow's bread.
Freedom
Is a strong seed
Planted
In a great need.
I live here, too.
I want freedom
Just as you.
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