Election Eve '08

I remember talking to one of my close friends from high school (and lifelong Republican) back in 2000, and him saying that was the first time he ever voted for a Democrat because he just couldn't stomach voting for someone as dumb as George W. Bush. It got me thinking about the mess we're in today.

Honestly, I hope the GOP comes out of this a stronger, more intellectually astute party because real debate between the parties (not mudslinging and name-calling) can only make our democracy stronger. Their disdain for intelligence (or as they call it, elitism) really bothers me, and the fact that they are proud to pander to the dumbest, most hateful people in this country really kind of sickens me.

I don't think I remember a time in my life where one party wasn't painting the opposition as a group of evil, deluded shitheads. As far back as I can remember, I was told by my mother that Ronald Reagan was an evil, empty-headed crook (and I still believe that to this day). I marched on Washington for causes I couldn't possibly wrap my head around at such a young age, and I sure couldn't tell you where Nicaragua or El Salvador were.

Do I have faith that Obama can magically unite this country? The cynic in me says no, because how can one man heal so many years of bitter fighting with a few platitudes about there not being a red America or a blue America but a United States of America? But the idealist in me thinks he has a good chance to pull it off. I think he wants to welcome everyone to the table, and hear all ideas, whether he agrees with them or not. It's that kind of nuance that the McCain campaign is ignoring. Obama listens to his opposition, and he listens to people with a broad range of socio-political beliefs. McCain and his people would like you to believe that listening to people with whom one disagrees is tantamount to condoning that belief. I think it's essential to anyone who considers themselves a true intellectual.

George W. Bush promised to be a uniter, not a divider. He failed miserably. Let's all try this time to stop pointing fingers and stop the hatred and division that has torn this country apart for far too long. Let's stop implying that one side is more American or more patriotic than the other. Anyone who is willing to sacrifice their privacy, their money, and likely some small pieces of sanity to serve this country is a patriot. Anyone who serves in the US Congress is a patriot. Anyone who truly believes in the potential of this country is a patriot and a true American. It's time we all realized that, and work together to make this country better for everyone, regardless of their socio-political leanings, race, religion, or sexual orientation. It's time to stop branding one another with divisive labels. It's time to act like we're all in this together, because regardless of our petty disagreements, we are.