We’ve been inundated with a pretty strong message from the McCain campaign and the Republican party for some time now, most strongly in the past few days, that of this “pro-American and anti-American” idea. It seems that only small town, religiously motivated, factory-working, McCain-voting, war-fighting people are really American. And I’m calling bullshit.
Here’s Nancy Pfotenhauer separating NoVa from “real” Virginia. I consider Charlottesville to be politically very close to NoVa, so take offense, CVillians.
So those of us who disagree with McCain in Virginia aren’t part of “real” Virginia! So you can’t vote in the state if you are “metro”? That is ludicrous. Are geographic battle lines really being drawn… again?
Palin goes on to talk about “real” America in the small towns. Ironically, Bill O’Reilly juxtaposes this with Biden’s intelligent comment that we all love America.
And honestly, disagree as you might with policies and politicians, don’t we all think, hey, this is a pretty good place to live, lets make it the best possible? Especially, those of us who give a rats-ass about this election. So, O’Reilly, we can’t be pro-America and think you are completely wrong?
Then there is this dumbass, Rep. Michelle Bachmann, who distinguishes between pro- and anti-American, and calls for a look into the patriotism of Congresspeople.
These ridiculous associations and claims make me sick.
Check out some commentary on this issue from Keith Olbermann and Jon Stewart, as posted kindly by PZ Myers.
Alright, so I’m usually not even involved in this “us vs. them” politics, since I lean libertarian. I’m so “them” I’m not even included. I support individualism, freedom, dissent and civil liberties, and that the Democrats have made good in supporting these causes. However, that optimistic wish-to-fix may not work economically, certainly not on the federal level. The economy is a big complex thing, and it will take time and patience to unravel all the problems and surely some smart, good people can help with that. But in the long-run, trying to steer this big complex machine this way or that may lead to only more problems. And although the Republicans claim to be fiscally conservative, it seems as of late that they, too, think they have all the answers and can rule by authoritative control.
But what sickens me most about conservative politicians is the constant need to control the personal aspects of the lives of those around them. I try and give them the benefit of the doubt, that most people are just good and honest and hard-working, even if not critically thinking, and honestly believe they are doing their best for their neighbors. But now I’m sick of the bullshit, sick of being told this is a Christian nation, that gay marriage is a threat, that science is tantamount to elitist opinion, and that above all, those who question, dissent, and won’t be controlled are anti-American. These big cities, seen as festering pools of shameful liberalism, regarded as centers of sickening diversity, these cities, New York and DC, were purposely targeted by terrorists for being exactly what America stands for. These big cities, full of people who helped their neighbors, who cleaned up after these attacks, who died or were injured by the real terrorists or in the act of saving others, this is what you call anti-American?
See, don’t piss off a New Yorker. I may be a resident of Virginia now, but I was born and raised with a Staten Island attitude. And I don’t think I can take four more years of divisive, xenophobic ridiculousness in the White House. I was going to vote for a third party, but today I’ve decided to vote for Obama. I may not agree with him on many big issues, but I’m convinced that his administration will bring in the intelligence and cool-headedness that this country needs. And once and for all, the attendees at McCain-Palin’s rallies will learn that the world will not turn upside when we elect a President that is black, has Muslim roots, and is a liberal.
Sic semper tyrannis, bitch.
I’m a 7th (and final!) year
4 responses so far ↓
Rich // October 21, 2008 at 12:49 |
I think it boils down to the fact that the Republicans can’t point to why their candidates should be elected, so they’ve fallen back on one of the oldest tricks in the book – vilifying the “enemy” so that they can get their voter base motivated. It’s not like they can legitimately claim that McCain will support policies any different than the current administration’s – which doesn’t stop them from trying, of course.
But yeah, the whole “educated people education are elitist and out of touch with the common man” shtick really gets to me, too. Never mind that they’re the ones who are responsible for ensuring that you’re not living in a mud hut and gnawing on rabbit bones.
phlebas // October 21, 2008 at 13:07 |
Hahahahah. Noisy, I have this image of you lunging across a table, shouting SIC SEMPER TYRANNUS at Nancy Pfotenhauer, and smacking her upside the head with a hardbound copy of The Federalist Papers.
I miss the days when we could have vigorous-yet-friendly discussions about religion and politics. Or at least politics — not sure we ever could about religion. But these days, the only things we can disagree on without starting a fight/crusade/inquisition are movies. (Even then, I got someone redfaced when I told them that the Transformers movie was made for people in a persistant vegetative state by people in a persistant vegetative state.)
And it’s been like this at least since Bill Clinton took office. Maybe I wasn’t paying attention, but I don’t recall it being so personal in the Reagan/Bush I years.
But this attitude now… wtf? If you disagree with McCain, you hate America? If you don’t want Obama to win, you’re a racist? This is the best we can do? Serious political analysis is 120 seconds of Laura Ingraham bitching at Christopher Hitchens for voting Obama because of Palin?
I would be relieved to think we only have two more weeks of this bullshit. But the second the election is over, we’ll have a fresh wave of bullshit that will last until the next election.
I’m still leaning towards voting third-party, but I am warming up to the idea of doing whatever pisses off people like Michelle Bachmann and Elizabeth Dole the most.
Hal Bidlack had a great line when he was interviewed on the Skepticality podcast. I don’t recall his exact words, but to paraphrase: “I’m running as a supporter of the Constitution — and it’s very sad that being pro-Constitution is an actual position instead of the default position for everyone.”
Richard Drumm The Astronomy Bum // October 22, 2008 at 11:49 |
Rich:
I’m dee-gusted with those Republican schmucks who equate education with eliteism. (As if being elite was an ism.) Our fighting forces are elite too, aren’t they? What’s their problem with the elite? Arrgh!
I’m with you, Rich (as one Rich to another
(Actually I know they have no real problem with the elite, they’re trying to use education as a wedge issue with the uneducated masses.)
phlebas:
So whatcha gonna do? Throw your vote away on Nader? That’s exactly what the puppetmasters want you to do. Daddy Rove is smiling.
[/off rant]
Bachmann is as scary as Palin. She’s channeling Joe McCarthy!
becky ws // October 27, 2008 at 11:51 |
From across the pond, to me it seems crazy to vote for a third party in the US. *What* third party?!
It makes some sense in the UK to vote for the third party here, the Liberal Democrats, in areas where they have a chance of beating the incumbant. But in the US, correct me if I’m wrong, the two main parties are so dominant that this would effectively just be a protest vote. Wouldn’t you just be giving more ground to the Republicans instead? It seems that even if Obama is not perfect, it’s *safer* to vote for him than risk McCain getting in.
On another note I think it’s sad that American politics is so obsessed with its own nationality. I mean, the only “real” Americans are people with native roots, everyone else is immigrant, so all this “anti-American” talk really just means “anti-Conservative” doesn’t it? Or am I being too simplistic
I am waiting for the parties in the streets when Obama wins by the way!