Since it is Thanksgiving week,

and has been such a strange month politically, I thought I'd look for

the silver lining in our present state of confusion. Being the eternal

optimist, I know there must be some good in all of this craziness. Here

are a view observations.

If the hand recount continues

in Florida, despite the Republican Party's plea to let the machine recount

suffice, one of two things can happen. If Bush is declared our next president

even after the hand recount, then by allowing the hand recount, we have

dulled the resonance of four years of Democratic Party complaining about

how the presidential election was not a reflection of the expressed will

of the people. If Bush wins using the hand recount tallies, then it's

over for Democrats until 2004.

If Gore wins based on votes

picked up in Florida during the hand recount, then the sleeping giant

that is the standard bearer of this nation's more conservative bent has

been not only awakened, but cattle prodded into motion. By no means does

this giant represent a majority of American political beliefs, but as

we know from this squeaker of a race, it represents a solid 50 percent.

And sadly, in the past eight

years, the giant has been lazy and complacent. If Republicans have to

suffer what they perceive to be an injustice, then there probably won't

be much complacency next time around.

Two or three years ago, I would

have estimated that those with more minimalist government views, the political

conservatives, made up about one-fourth of all American citizens. Now

we know that for every liberal-minded person, there is a countering conservative-minded

person. For every left-leaning Constitutional revisionist there is a right-leaning

Constitutional constructionist.

Our beliefs exist on a spectrum.

We are not a nation of polar extremes, but rather a range of divergent

views. The fact that this election has been so close, and so contested,

is testimony to me that the American people do care about their right

to express their views on government. And surely, no citizen will ever

mistakenly believe that his or her vote doesn't matter. That is something

to be thankful for.

The beauty of our system is

that we don't have to agree. The dialogue that has resulted from the sometimes

rancorous discussion of differing views has been the hallmark of our system.

It is our birthright. We need not be disgusted with the current uncertainty.

We should have a healthy fear, to be sure, and pay careful attention,

but we should honor the process even when the process doesn't seem very

honorable.

The fact that, for two weeks

now, the American people have waited patiently and peacefully to realize

the outcome of this election is one of the greatest blessings of liberty.

There have been no riots, no bloodshed, just peaceful protests and rapt

attention. There has been no social upheaval because we continue to live

as free people, and we will continue to do so as long as the American

people remain vigilant.

Many of us have poured over

the governing documents, the history books, and the media coverage hungrily

seeking to better understand our system. That is something to be thankful

for, too. Those who are wise demand to be wisely governed.

It is nearly a certainty that

someone will be declared president before the January inauguration date.

And in the event that is not the case, our Constitution makes provisions

for interim leadership. We will not be leaderless.

I am thankful that, in the

midst of a situation that at times seems hopelessly deadlocked, we can

still have hope. I am thankful that, in a nation that seems divided and

broken, that we are still united under a common purpose. I am thankful

that we can represent polar views on government if we choose to,

and that no single mindset is forced on the people against their will.

I am thankful that we can speak out, write letters, and march with a sign

in protest.

For all the perceived imperfections,

it is still the best system going. And for that, I am thankful.

[Your comments are welcome:

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