Vernon North <verno@oyama.bc.ca> wrote:

>In article <2v4jd6F2h5f68U14@uni-berlin.de>, kgowenNOSPAM@myfastmail.com 
>says...
>> E.F.Schelby wrote:
>> > mtfester@netMAPSONscape.net wrote:
>> > 
>> > 
>> >>In fj.life.in-japan E.F.Schelby <schelby@swcp.com> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>>My daughter just called me from Pennsylvania and a bus full of
>> >>>New York volunteers returning from Ohio where they had helped the
>> >>>Kerry campaign for the last five days. Yesterday she still canvassed
>> >>>for six hours in driving rains. These young people worked very hard,
>> >>>and it was all in vain. 
>> >>
>> >>So, if you participate in the democratic process, and don't win, it's
>> >>all in vain?
>> > 
>> > 
>> > No, of course not. But they felt like it at the moment. The 
>> > campaign helpers were tired, and it is understandable that they
>> > were discouraged during the return trip. They had also witnessed
>> > this and that flaw in the democratic process.
>> 
>> Maybe she could try moving to Canada.
>> 
>Good idea. Our Canadian democratic process has neither this nor that 
>flaw.  ;-)

I was not in the mood for arguments, so I left it at "this or that."
Some of the details she told me were not pretty.

Moving to Canada? Nice idea, but no longer easy. Take a look at
this semi-amusing readers guide for potential expats from Harper's:

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1103-29.htm

Perhaps I will try the last option -- imaginary nations ;-).

Tally ho,
E.