Faith and Intuition has won over Intelligence. "Lowered expectations" is continuing as the American calling card. Mediocre will continue as our standard of achievement. We may leave no child behind but be assured that little Johnny won't be able to read or write but that's acceptable as long as little Johnny can make his mark on the army papers. Education will belong to the wealthy and well-connected. For the rest of us, better teach our kids Arabic while they play in the sand box. Get them used to sand.

Stubborness has won over flexibility. From "United We Stand", we have progressed to "Divided We Fall" as our Liberties will continue to disappear. Bush will lead the world as a nation alone - the U.N. be damned, for we all know that the country with the most advanced military calls the shots.

With the Republicans in control of all branches of the Government - or soon will be once a few Supreme Court Justices retire - expect this to be the beginning of an American Dark Ages. The separation between Church and State will fall and we will become the Christian version of the same Islamic states that we are fighting. Abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research will become non-topics.

For the next four years Bush has to account to no one. He has free reign. If the last four years didn't scare the crap out of you, wait until you see the massive bait-and-switch Bubba pulls. Who knows? This could guarantee that the next four Presidents will be Democrats, or more likely our country will continue to swing to the extreme right until we do have a Nation Divided, with Liberty and Justice for the Privileged Few.

Kerry talked about a "Global Test" of our actions, that is, we have to have logical, demonstrable reasons for our actions. Bush has failed the "Global Test" and the "National Test" with his distortions, manipulations, and ignorance of facts. His Administration thrives on secrecy and control. How can we trust and back our Government if they won't trust and play fair with us? That's what Bush represents - a Lone Star, "trust what I do", Lone Wolf who really is little more than a mumbling head for his advisors.

Be scared. But if you didn't vote for Bush try not to be ashamed or embarrassed. It's still our America. We have four years to recruit, to unite, and to eventually make things right.