so the american people have democratically selected republican representation in both the executive and legislative houses. soon enough, by many accounts, it seems the judiciary branch will tip toward similarly conservative perspectives.
while we are all aware of the war on terror and its associated offspring, what of the cultural implications for america?
what of the cultural implications for an america amidst many other developed nations who exhibit much more liberal ideologies?
to provide an example, consider a story from todays globe and mail (sorry i cant provide a direct link)
now i dont mean to propose that these 'hundreds' of gay americans considering a move to canada will represent a serious impact to america. but what if this happens for various small groups, disenfranchised by the conservativism we expect to see in the next few years?
i would suggest, at the very least, that tolerance of homosexuals will not progress and may even be harmed in america.
taken further, new norms may be established in terms of personal privacy, the importance of religion (namely christianity), education (particularly post secondary), tolerance of alternative global views and a host of others.
depending on your perspective, these new norms might be better or worse than the traditional. but, it seems apparent to me that these same norms might paint america on a cultural island relative to the rest of the developed world.
while we are all aware of the war on terror and its associated offspring, what of the cultural implications for america?
what of the cultural implications for an america amidst many other developed nations who exhibit much more liberal ideologies?
to provide an example, consider a story from todays globe and mail (sorry i cant provide a direct link)
They're calling it the gay drain. Hundreds of well-heeled gay and lesbian lawyers, professors, educators and film directors from the U.S. are immigrating to Canada, drawn by the country's recognition of same-sex rights, unions and benefits.
...
While some gay Americans applied to immigrate before the Nov.
2 election, the results only reinforced their determination
to leave. Mr. Bush has again indicated he would support a constitutional
amendment banning same-sex marriage. Eleven states, including
Ohio, Michigan and Oregon, voted overwhelmingly to ban gay marriage,
in balloting held at the same time as the election. Ohio also
banned civil unions.
...
Tim Sally, a 47-year-old real-estate investor from the gay-friendly
city of San Francisco, said he is tired of living in a country
that won't accord him the same rights as heterosexuals. He worries
that the U.S. conservative political discourse has no place
for gay liberals, even wealthy and talented ones, who no longer
feel welcome in their own country.
now i dont mean to propose that these 'hundreds' of gay americans considering a move to canada will represent a serious impact to america. but what if this happens for various small groups, disenfranchised by the conservativism we expect to see in the next few years?
i would suggest, at the very least, that tolerance of homosexuals will not progress and may even be harmed in america.
taken further, new norms may be established in terms of personal privacy, the importance of religion (namely christianity), education (particularly post secondary), tolerance of alternative global views and a host of others.
depending on your perspective, these new norms might be better or worse than the traditional. but, it seems apparent to me that these same norms might paint america on a cultural island relative to the rest of the developed world.