After being severely disappointed after many elections (I've consistently voted Democratic for the majority of my adult life. I have some other votes that I'm not proud of and would like to do over), I hesitate to feel or express any optimism about a change in the control of the House or Senate in the upcoming elections. I was virtually certain of a Kerry win in '04 and the fact that it didn't happen still baffles me. I mean, even if the Repugs could steal a state or two with Diebold help, it still shouldn't have even been that close. There were so many problems with the Republicans that merely shouting 9-11 over and over shouldn't have swung the vote. Although, I guess that if there are still 3o%+ that give the administration good approval ratings no amount of reasoning will deal with some people. It is inconceivable to me that anyone except W's mother and the cabal of business interests that he is advancing with his actions could still approve of anything he does.
Having said that and still reserving my pessimism, I hope I see evidence of increasing revolt against the present Repug elected officials. In an unscientific poll, I have been counting the increase in anti-Bush or pro-Democrat bumper stickers. This poll has a margin of error of +/- 107%, but I believe that I am seeing a sizable increase in such stickers. Granted, I live in a blue part of a very red state and in other parts of the state, the trend may be different. I hope not. As further evidence, I have two stickers on my car. One I obtained shortly after the '04 elections when Bush was claiming a mandate and extensive political capital with a 23 vote majority with 500,000 of those stolen. That sticker has the traditional W in the circle with the slash through it but also says "Mandate, my ass!". The other sticker I got sometime later when I was feeling particularly frustrated and it merely says "Proud to be everything the right wing hates." I must say that I have almost unanimous positive feedback because of these stickers although I still get the occasional glare or the honk and the finger. I always consider that a successful day when that happens. Yesterday, I was on short time for lunch and was pulling through a local, non-chain fast food place. As I waited at the pay window, a man carrying some boxes tapped on the passenger side window. I rolled it down and he said, "I love your stickers. I own this place and I want to buy you a tee shirt. Tell the lady at the window, I said so." I thanked him and pulled around to the pick up window. By that time, he had dumped the boxes and was at the window. "I am so tired of all this shit", he continued. He then expounded on the most recent Keith Olberman comments, stating that the last one gave him goose bumps. I offered that we lived for Countdown, The Daily Show and Air America. He agreed. I am now the proud possessor of a cool tee shirt and a new friend.
Having said that and still reserving my pessimism, I hope I see evidence of increasing revolt against the present Repug elected officials. In an unscientific poll, I have been counting the increase in anti-Bush or pro-Democrat bumper stickers. This poll has a margin of error of +/- 107%, but I believe that I am seeing a sizable increase in such stickers. Granted, I live in a blue part of a very red state and in other parts of the state, the trend may be different. I hope not. As further evidence, I have two stickers on my car. One I obtained shortly after the '04 elections when Bush was claiming a mandate and extensive political capital with a 23 vote majority with 500,000 of those stolen. That sticker has the traditional W in the circle with the slash through it but also says "Mandate, my ass!". The other sticker I got sometime later when I was feeling particularly frustrated and it merely says "Proud to be everything the right wing hates." I must say that I have almost unanimous positive feedback because of these stickers although I still get the occasional glare or the honk and the finger. I always consider that a successful day when that happens. Yesterday, I was on short time for lunch and was pulling through a local, non-chain fast food place. As I waited at the pay window, a man carrying some boxes tapped on the passenger side window. I rolled it down and he said, "I love your stickers. I own this place and I want to buy you a tee shirt. Tell the lady at the window, I said so." I thanked him and pulled around to the pick up window. By that time, he had dumped the boxes and was at the window. "I am so tired of all this shit", he continued. He then expounded on the most recent Keith Olberman comments, stating that the last one gave him goose bumps. I offered that we lived for Countdown, The Daily Show and Air America. He agreed. I am now the proud possessor of a cool tee shirt and a new friend.
I believe this is a real trend. I believe that anyone voting for a Republican in today's climate must either be an idiot or have a severe character flaw.
If this is not a real trend and my pessimism is well founded, I fear for this country. Lord, I really do.
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