Confessions of a Liberal Voter

So I did not vote for the person you wanted to win. I voted for the Democrat. I voted for the guy you least wanted to win for the presidency. I voted for Obama. As the realization sets in that the Republican nominee was not able to carry an Anti-Incumbent wave into the Oval Office, I find myself listening to conservatives fall into a demoralized state. I admit I listen to and enjoy watching the wave crash. I enjoy Rove self-destructing on-air. I enjoy seeing Ted Nugent and Trump go berserk on Twitter. I enjoy the fact that the liberal media correctly prognosticated the victory. I enjoy Scott Rasmussen's polling was proven to be skewed a couple of percentage points to the right of everyone else's poll. I love that the bubble enclosing FoxNews's "Bullshit Mountain" has popped. I love that most conservatives I know are in a state of bewilderment and awakening to what for them could be called a new reality, but for me is the same reality I've been in for a long time, the same reality that the silent majority live in. I love that women will still have rights. The definition of rape is not going to change soon. I love that they vote. I love that the freight train of an economy that was heading full steam into an abyss, has been given a chance to reverse course and will now be given an opportunity to get back on track. I love that I have a good job, that my employer bought a condo in Hawaii and Palm Springs and remodeled his house on the beach. I love that my wife has a good job and my kids have a great, public education. I love that the teachers are there for my kids and the kids of others. I love the security I have as a result of living in the shadow of a great city, with great neighbors. I love the State I live in. I love the country I am in. I love that the society I live in helps those who are less fortunate. I love that pre-existing conditions do not result in a lifetime of poverty for children entering adulthood. I love that this society offers a hand-up to those most in need. I love all this, but... I know it can all come crashing down one day. Due to whim or fate or act of God or lack of good planning on my part, all of this can change. But, to the extent I can, I will to remain positive. What I don't like is being stereotyped by right-wingers. I am not a "taker" from the government. My friends, who are like-minded, are not "takers". 92% of them have jobs and they work hard, often juggling work, family and school. With cars that break-down and medical bills and aging parents and soccer practice and credit card bills and mortgages all weaved together into the fabric of their lives. They do not rely on others. They work hard. As the conservative movement characterizes me, the majority voter, in the days immediately following this election cycle, I would caution them. To them all I say: I am not on welfare, I do not use food-stamps, I am not on unemployment, I do not rely on Social Security or Medicare, Medicade, WIC, etc. I do not take farm-subsidies. I do not rely on other's charity whether it is tax payer funded or church funded. I pay my fair share of taxes. Yet, I voted for Obama. Be careful with how you classify your fellow countrymen. Now is the time for reckoning. Don't fool yourself that a bunch of single mother's on welfare lined up for four hours to vote for you in Ohio and Florida. Don't fool yourself into really thinking that food-stamps are given out at the polls in poor neighborhoods. Don't fool yourself that all the illegal aliens lined up at the polls to vote for the Democratic ticket. It did not happen that way. Conservatives did not lose because of this. Conservatives lost this election cycle because they did not get my vote and the vote of others who love the same type of things I love.

What is all of the hullabaloo about Steve Jobs?

What is all of the hullabaloo about Steve Jobs?  No disrespect to the man or anything, but he was just one guy out of many that died yesterday.  For example, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, a civil rights icon also died.  Strange but he does not quite get the sympathy that this multi-millionaire gets, though a case can be made that the Reverend singularly did more for Americans than what Steve Jobs singularly did for Americans.  The difference between the two Americans probably reflects well on what is happening on Wall Street right now. Corporations and individuals; they are not one in the same.  I believe we need to recognize the difference.

Jobs was the corporate face for what became one of the richest corporations in the world.  However, that is not to say the Jobs was not an individual as well.  He certainly was. 

This is the fourth best thing I heard today.  Thought someone might need to hear it. I certainly did.

No Civility? Not My America

In response to
http://blackrepublican.blogspot.com/2009/09/be-civil.html

Racism on any level is deplorable. The idea that folks do not have to be civil because their opponents are less than civil is ludicrous. Similarly, if one finds that their opponent is a racist, this does not give license to the other to be a racist as well.

Facts are that when one rises up the hierarchy of their chosen (or not chosen) field, they become the object of all kinds of scrutiny, they risk association with stereotypes and they may fall victim to character assassination.

There are a myriad of black role models in American society. To my knowledge, none of them are any better or worse than the equivalent white role model. Indeed, the scandals seem to know no party or racial lines.

Over the last year, bordering on racism's subtleties, some right wing politicos are using all the tools at their disposal to limit the agenda of the left. It is very unfortunate that the conservative right cannot find it in themselves to dull the very sharp but subtle instrument that the racist among them use.

Fortunately, today, those who fight social injustices brought about by such an illogical thing as racism are finally strong enough to shine a spotlight on the path the racist uses to reach their victims. Unfortunately, when that spotlight shines too close to home, those racists scurry away like the cockroaches they are, living to breed their hate another day. As Ms. Rice denies her ability to have a civil discourse until the other reaches her definition of civility, she may be taking her place among them.

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