George,

OK. I'll admit it. I'm sick at heart over the election. I'm in a blue (no pun intended) funk. I'm tired of being always on the losing side of things. I'm sick that the God squad is now running our country-ooooppps theocracy. I'm not sure that I can endure 4 more. I am heartbroken when I see the news today about Iraq, now under martial law pretty much. I'm trying to figure out how to live the next four years without all of this affecting me or my life here in Virginia. And I'm REALLY sick of the mantra "can't we all just get ALONG?"

George Bush doesn't want to "get along". Tom Delay doesn't want to "get along". I can guarantee you that the majority of the 55 in the Senate don't want to "get along". They want to crush us-women, gays, minorities, unions-pretty much anyone that doesn't agree with them-anyone who isn't white and male and a Repug. Anyone that believes otherwise is naïve to the point of being stupid. I won't even go in to what I think of the Democratic party except to say it's time to start over with new leadership, new ideas, a clear message and plenty of money for upcoming mid term elections and governorships. We have to turn the tide.

So I think today everyone, myself included, needs to stop the hand wringing, whining, and being depressed. As the saying goes, time to get up, brush ourselves off and get going. We have a huge race coming up in 2005 within our own state. Tim Kaine, Les Byrne, and Creigh Deeds will need all of our support, our work, and our money to pull this off. Or else we will have Jerry Kilgore as our next governor. Now THAT's something to worry about. The VA General Assembly begins in January. The Charter School initiative is going to be one of the hot button issues this time. Privatizing our state schools. Do we WANT that? Do I need help in fighting this? YES I DO. Can I stay in bed for the next year or so and hide? NO I CAN'T. None of us can.

We all need to help each other. Support each other. Show UP for each other. Get off the couch and from behind the desk for each other. You know why? WE'RE the GOOD guys. We stand up against racism, outsourcing, poverty, discrimination, and homelessness. We stand up for unions, social justice, a voice, healthcare for everyone, a fair social security program, fair and honest judges and governors, for decent jobs, for a women's right to choose, to love who we want to love, and yes, for everyone to worship as they please.

Let's get moving.

Jan Cornell (electronic mail, November 7, 2004)