Uh Bobert, there's more than one guest posting here, despite Big Ole Mickelf's protests to the contrary.
Frankly, I don't think any of this is nearly as simple and clear cut as people are making it out to be.
It is going to be nigh on impossible to get the Patriot Act overturned. Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, all a huge mess that will take at least a generation to recover from. Our standing in the world is shot, and will remain so as long as Bush/Cheney remain at the helm of the nation's foreign policy, and god only knows how far beyond their term. Don't forget that thing called "the foreign policy establishment" and the fact that just because the Repubs were thrown out of Congress, they haven't been thrown out of the think tanks, lobbyist offices, NGOs, defense contractors, etc. that drive the beast to it's appointments around the world.
And that doesn't even include the domestic agenda. Like if you thought veterans benefits sucked before, just wait until you see how fucking depressing it is now for returning vets. The way the entire tax system of the US has been tossed ass over teakettle, undermined our government services sector, saw our infrastructure crumble, education mandate after mandate go unfunded, the HMO/pharmaceutical monopolies...
Like Bono says--nothing changes on New Years Day. Because the sad, sorry state of affairs the US is in has been long in the making, it will be very long in the healing and mending department.
I'd like to share your optimism and enthusiasm Bobert, but for me, it just isn't there. No joy for me in the election, really, or for most independents like me.
People here do love to paint me as a bombthrower, monster, etc. because I won't play by their true blue party rules, and I speak the truth about the Democrats being knee deep in blood, just like the Republicans. That isn't a radical thing to say in a group of independent, non-affiliated voters. But they are fighting words when spoken to Democrats.