Should there be any success on the part of the Bush Administration in stripping us of federal rights and protections, and in forcing actions from mandatory prayer to lawsuit limitations, the dirty work of enforcement will fall to the states, and their religious right-controlled state GOP organizations. When Roe is overturned, for example, each state will be permitted to write and enforce its own laws. Focus on retaking the House in 2 years or 4 years will not at all affect what happens in the next 24 months (the traditional 2nd term action period before lame duck status takes over in the next midterm election).

In my state (CT), 50% of the GOP held seats in the House and Senate have run consistently without opposition, and we're a relatively progressive state. In my district, a Democrat hasn't run for either chamber in 10 years. I suspect that in other places, its worse. Each Republican, regardless of their stated personal ideology, represents their national party interests and by extension everything that I think is going to take this country down a desperate road. Each one must be challenged vigorously. There are no uncontestables, because the difference in one seat in New Jersey, for example, is the difference between that state's right wing enforcing Bush dogma, versus maintenence of one of the most progressive state laws and agendas in the nation.

When it all comes down in a few years, the beacons of hope will be the individual states that kept freedom and liberty alight, while the others descend into theocracy and paranoia. Only they will we be able to begin the cleanup work in the places where our ideas still set the agenda.

Go local, get involved. Hell, I'll put my money where my mouth is and run in my district next year if that's what it takes, however that works.