The 2004 Election
and What it May Mean
for Atheists
Vikram Sareen
From: "Vikram Sareen"
To: "Positive Atheism"
Date: Monday, 8 November 2004
Subject: The 2004 Election and what it may mean for atheists
Dear Mr. Walker,
I am an atheist and a longtime fan of your excellent website, which has been an invaluable entertainment and research resource for me for many years. I am writing to you primarily out of a political concern, but one that has serious long-time implications for all atheists and non-Christians living in the United States. As a result of the 2004 US Presidential Election, George W. Bush has been reelected, and the Republican Party has increased its control of both the House and the Senate. Many of these GOP members are far right-wing neo-conservatives, who clearly (along with Mr. Bush and his top advisers) wish to erode the separation of state and church, promote Christian "faith-based" initiatives using federal money, ban gay marriage on a federal level by amending the Constitution, andx overturn the historic decision of Roe v. Wade. There has been no indication by the President that he wishes to persue any alternative bipartisan domestic agenda, especially since in his recent press conferences he indicates that he considers his reelection a validation of his neo-conservatives agenda and describes his victory as a "mandate" from the people ("I picked up capital, political capital, in this election, and I intend to use it.")
I find this all a little scary and truly am concerned about my legal rights in this right-of-center United States, especially now that there is very little to stop the GOP from implementing its plans. Is this a concern for you as well? And what options do we have as citizens to make our voice heard, aside from writing these congressmen (whom I doubt would be willing to listen to our concerns anyway)?
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and please keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Vikram Sareen