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Sunday, Nov 8, 2009
Andrew Vachss is the author of the Burke novels.
We either find a way to get all those folks who decided their participation wasn't required, or America's elections are going to continue to be decided by the most important constituency of all, the nonvoters. The nonvoter/slacker/I'm-too-cool-to-vote people -- it doesn't matter to them, it's too much trouble. As long as that position is tolerated, I don't think you ever have political representation that represents the people. Over the next four years, we're going to find out what "faith-based" really means. This could change the Supreme Court forever, which could change -- literally -- the way our Constitution is interpreted. Only in America could someone win by less that 1 percent and say that he had a mandate from the country!
Jim Shepard is the author of "Project X" and "Love and Hydrogen."
There are really only two options for this country, from here on in: Either things are going to get much, much worse before they get better, or they're going to get much, much worse and stay that way. Fear and ignorance are a close to unbeatable combination. And each is only going to intensify. What we (and the rest of the world) are in for now is going to be something to behold. So. Maybe the best thing we can do is what we normally do, as writers: continue to work to understand how the world operates, and continue to try to communicate that understanding. The radical right is going to attempt to consolidate its stranglehold on political power. One of the crucial things writers can do, in the face of that, is to work to maintain -- and it's going to be an uphill struggle -- a free press.
Abha Dawesar is the author of "Miniplanner."
What to do now? Wheel out every writer about to flee Bush-i-stan on a book tour to the swing states so that next time round the moral vote swings in favor of peace and public liberty. Petition Philip Roth to write about "The Plot IN America." Invite the French to join the union as the 51st state so that they can vote. Console all those kids who turned up at the polls and tell them that just because bad things happen once it doesn t mean they have to happen again. Get behind Hillary! In another four years we don't want to be slapping our foreheads about what to do then.
Ayelet Waldman is the author of "Daughter's Keeper" and the Mommy-Track Mysteries.
I'm hard at work drafting Articles of Secession for the Republic of California.
Doug Brinkley is a historian and Kerry biographer.
Right now a battle is on for the soul of the Democratic Party. There is no way Hillary Clinton will be able to win the White House in 2008. Only two candidates can: John Kerry or Evan Bayh. I think the Democratic party has to focus now on becoming dominant in the Midwest. Bayh is a native son. Kerry has earned the respect of the people in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, etc.... Only time will tell.
