The big "What if...?"

So what if Bush does win, what will happen?

Well, for one I will still sleep tonight. Although many can't because of war, that situation wouldn't have changed if Kerry was elected. Unlike in 2000, we are prepared and know what to expect. If the the Democratic Party folds like it did after 2000, then perhaps it deserves to be replaced.

If Bush wins there will be on one hand a hardening of positions around the world. No one is in shock anymore and now they will seek to gain and retain as much of what is theirs as possible. There will also be more back and forth (minus the warm fuzzies) as everyone knows the score and hunkers down to slog through the next four years.

Canada will be tightly squeezed because of its more "liberal" views concerning marijuana, abortion, guns, and healthcare. Since Canada does not have much of a military compared with America (who does?), pressure will continue to be brought to bear to join Australia and Britian and provide a symbolic and diplomatic voice regarding Iraq. That will make for a rough ride since Martin is having touble holding on to power and the majority of Canadians are in no mood to accommodate Bush. This even more so after four Canadian soldiers were mistakenly bombed by an American pilot in Afghanistan, a conflict Canada did support.

Perhaps the biggest change for us in Japan is the new attitude towards rearming the Koizumi government has quietly promoted. On one level I do understand that Japan needs to protect itself and it will not do to be always a client of American power. But, along side this is a rising anti-foriegner sentiment, especially the Chinese and North Koreans. This is where I begin to mistrust the judgement of Tokyo. While Japanese companies work hard to get into China and its markets, the Japanese government seems bent on creating trouble throough aggressive actions against China. I don't mean to be implying that China is innocent, but the actions of Tokyo does not seem to indicate that the future will be a smooth one. This is foolish when one considers what trouble North Korea can create.

A Bush presidency will encourage and enbolden Koizumi because of their reputed close relationship.

And there will be more war and misery.