Calm

In 2004, The Stranger (Seattle's alternative weekly newspaper) ran this cover after the election. That week was rough for many of us. I remember crying in Prof Poet's office the day after the election. I felt betrayed by my fellow citizens and lost. How could the people in my country believe that our country was going in the right direction? How could they believe that voting for a guy because you could have a beer with him instead of because he is wicked smart is a good idea? Why was the decision for president of the USA resembling the decision for president of the senior class in high school (who's cuter, more popular, not too smart?)?

Today, I am calm. I don't think that our problems are solved because of these election results, in fact, I think we have a long way ahead of us. We (as a nation) need to focus on rebuilding our reputation internationally and collaborate on international problems like the global economy and global warming while simultaneously figuring out how to prioritize and deal with our national problems (health care, the deficit and debt, social security, housing market...) and our local problems too. Obama has a pretty terrible job. But, his speech last night was inspirational and moving.

It's hard to look at the red state-blue state maps and not be worried about the huge gulf in our country. Maps like this one show a stark divide.

2008 red/blue by state

However, maps like this

2008 map by county and population

are much more encouraging (and a little distorted!). The map maker uses population data to resize the states in proportion to their population and uses a scale of red-purple-blue to color county by county, thus the overwhelming amout of red is reduced. Instead of the red state blue state divide, we have lots of purple and some blue and a tiny bit of red. More maps (using electoral college votes, comparisons to 2004 etc) are available from his website.