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Volume 27, Issue 14, November 11, 2004

Opinion

The horror, oh the horror

mugBryan Goodland
Columnist

The ballots have been counted and the results have been turned in. Of course, over the next few weeks we will hear the stories of miscounts, the dead people who voted, and other such horrors that make us all question the democratic process.

Never the less, President Bush will still be president and will retain that title for the next four years. For some Americans, that can mean only one thing: run to Canada.

The Canadian Web site, www.cic.gc.ca, usually gets several thousand hits a day, but on Wednesday, the day after the election, the hits on the Web site increased by almost six times the norm.

Even though the Web site has experienced an increase in visits, the applications to the immigration office have shown no such spike. However, this could simply mean Americans are taking their time before they make their big move to the Great White North.

The cause for this increase in curiosity for our neglected northern neighbors remains to be seen. There certainly are perks involved in moving to Canada, among them their national health care program.

Canada also tends to be more liberal than the United States, so it would make sense for some of the disheartened liberals to make their trek to the land of the left.

In some ways, I can understand the disillusionment the Democrats and the Liberals may feel, but is the answer really to just run away?

Our Democracy is full of problems, but the whole point of having a democracy is to watch and make sure that it works. Moving to Canada will not help anyone, other than the Canadians. As Americans, we have a responsibility to stay here and make sure Bush keeps to his promises. And if he doesn’t in four years time, then find someone who will.

Maybe it’s my naive optimism, but I think there is always a chance to make things better. Running away, if that is really what some people are planning, is just quitting, plain and simple. In order for the democracy to work we have to fight for it.

In the end, I guess what I’m trying to say is, don’t be apathetic. If you wanted Bush to win, congratulations; if you didn’t, I’m sorry, but you’ll have another chance in four years. That’s the beauty of the whole process. We always have another chance. Every four years, our nation has the chance to change for the better. That’s the wonder of a democracy, and I for one am going to stay right here and wait to see that happen. If you don’t agree, tell the Canadians I said hello.