It is one of those weekends where I feel disconnected, strange, and distant. The election has me unsettled. In 2000, I was certain Gore would win; I could not imagine a nation so superficial that it would allow Frat Boy George W. Bush to take the White House. In 2004, I was convinced the people had had enough, and that Kerry would win. I will continue to do all I can to help Obama win the election, but the truth is that at this point I don't hold out hope. I don't, and it's because I think that the majority of our citizens are driven by fear.
We demand our sports heroes be elite, the best of the best. We expect our entertainers to live an elite life, to be unobtainable so that we can fantasize. But when it comes to our Nation's leaders, we think it's okay to turn the reins over to somebody we might like to have a beer with. I don't want to have a beer with my President. I want him, or her, to be smarter than I am, to understand complex world issues, to be calm in the face of conflict and to inspire. I want my President to be visionary.
But today I don't hold out hope. And so, I give you this lovely song:
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14 comments:
Ah, Nora!! The music is lovely and calming.
Dear diva, I am actually optimistic as I read this morning about how Obama now has a 21 point lead among moderated and independents. I think the lynch mob McCain rallies of the past weeks also have many conservatives concerned about his stability. For example, William Buckley's son, a conservative writer, has even come out in favor of Obama.
My spouse seconds your concerns. There are all the voters being disenfranchised by the purging of the rolls at this late hour. There are the votes that will be caged, as Greg Palast pointed out in the past two elections.
But damn, those numbers look good at the moment. At least at fivethirtyeight.com.
All we can do is continue to live this one out.
In the meantime, I would very much like to come away.
I don't believe the polls at this point. The Bradley effect is going to account for at least 3 to 6 points. I still believe McCain will be the next president, although I would love to be proven wrong.
I'll stop worrying on Nov. 5th. I hate to be that way, but experience has been a bitch.
I'm worried too. In fact, I almost have a September 11th-y feeling today - it is one of those perfect blue days, no clouds in the sky, which, since 2001, give me a feeling of forboding.
I'm hoping finally the public will see through the hatefulness and actually vote the right way and that those votes will be counted.
But until November 5, as DCup says, I won't be sure.
I just keep trying to hang on those poll numbers but it's hard to feel any certainty with all that's happened in previous elections. So, basically, I agree with all of you.
And wow, my stomach turned at the footage of McCain supporters at his rallies. Racism is alive and well in the good ol' U S of A.
I go back and forth between hope and a feeling of strength and then despair and a very uncomfortable feeling.
ALL of Barack's supporters MUST come out and they must speak up the moment they have a problem voting.
If that happens then it is possible.
I am worried about all the ones who get behind the curtain and then just can't pull the lever for a black skinned man with a different name - I think there are a lot of them out there. They are, in a way, more concern to me than the loons at the rallies.
In 2004 Dubya went brutally negative just prior to the election and got a slim majority of the vote, but then "buyers remorse" set in and he was back below 50% by the inauguration. I expect 2008 to follow a similar script.
The saddest thing is, I don't think it will really make much of a difference. All of the truly awful things Dubya did- the war, the other war, the continuance of both wars, the Patriot Act, tax cuts for the rich, the Wall Street bail out, the FISA immunity deal, unlimited offshore drilling, two extremist Supreme Court justices, a big useless fence on the border- were done with proud bipartisan support. The things he didn't do but should have- like fix Social Security and our health care system- the Democrats didn't try to do, either.
I feel like I don't have a dog in this hunt. Yeah, I would rather have a young, energetic president than a guy that looks like a bowl of tapioca pudding, but I can't say with confidence that either party is going to do much for folks like me.
Hi Diva
A moment from packing! I hate to say it but a 3rd stolen election is a given! If they fail to steal it Bush has until January 20th to invoke Executive order #51 declaring Martial order! The right's Fascist agenda has gone too far. They won't give up the abusive power or their agenda! This manufactured perfect storm is coming to a head at the perfect time. No coincidence here! You just relax and have a nice day!
Barring a fascist coup, I think Obama's a shoo in.
i am with you
i wont be happy until i see the #270 next to Obama
I so hear you...it is not a good time right now....270 is what I want to hear and see next to Obama's name and a very blue map....hang in there...
I believe in the power of positive thinking. So if we call upon all that is good and right with the Universe, let us summon that.
Let's give it our best shot. Check to make sure you are registered & not purged, encourage folks to register if it's still open in your state.
It is sad that this country is so divided, on what should be such a clear choice.
The flame is not there to illuminate itself.
One of my favorite songs, child.
I love everything you said about what you want in a president, I feel the same way.
It's very difficult to have hope that Obama will win, regardless of what the polls say. I do believe though, that the election was stolen from Gore and Kerry by the republicans. I think that if, if, if that happens again, liberal Americans will get off their asses and fight it to the bitter end.
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