Why We Watch: Waiting…Praying!
Tuesday, West Lafayette, Indiana
Everyone I know, with the exception of those who are simply tuned out, is holding their breath for the results of the election next week. Some of my friends and family are passionate Obama supporters and, I must admit that those I know who are Republicans and for McCain seem pretty demoralized. Whatever side they are on, the tension of waiting seems almost unbearable.
I have a suspicion, however, that once the election is decided, other than the most disappointed partisans, most Americans will breathe a sigh of relief and find a new energy to move forward. It’s the unknowing that is the hardest. And clearly, unless there’s some shocking development, it looks as if our next president will indeed be Barack Obama. And I for one believe that such a result will electrify the nation and the world about America.
For one thing, our friends and enemies will know that the electorate in America has had it with the direction of our country for the past eight years. It will also be a relief to me that the ugly, hate filled partisanship — making absurd allegations about character, religion and associations — has essentially been rejected. Only a small amount of uneducated, stupid fanatics will continue to grouse, fueled by their heroes on the radio and television (by the way, millionaires all!).I’m happy to listen to intelligent disputes about policy and the direction of our country. I’m always open to hearing varied opinions about how we should spend our money and raise our money. But if I hear one more mental midget try and claim that they are afraid we might elect someone who they’ve been told is essentially a terrorist, I think I’ll puke. As far as character is concerned I was far more alarmed about the story about how John McCain treated as disabled first wife, and his eyes for younger women than I was about Obama’s conversations with some disreputable characters.
The shame of it all to me, is that for almost all of his career I have been a big fan of John McCain. But like many others, I am so disillusioned with his unfettered appeal to an ideological base that is inflexibly rigid and obsessed with some few intractable issues at the expense of the larger concerns of the nation’s health. This is not the John McCain I was eager to vote for — the iconoclastic voice that put the country before party. He’s gone, and I’m now listening to a shrill old man who has aligned himself with some of the worst elements in the culture.
I have nothing against “Joe Sixpack” or any other working class person. I’m from a staunch, working-class blue-collar family from New York myself. But my “Joe Sixpack” family pressed upon me the value of education, learning and insight. In 2000 we elected someone who clearly does not value education, learning and insight (and who, by the way is from a multi-millionaire family with an Ivy League education!). Look where this has gotten us. Uneducated and unreflective people have the right to vote — this is what makes our country great. That doesn’t mean I want them running the country. You may admire Sarah Palin, but if the thought of her actually becoming the president of the United States doesn’t give you pause — you and I are on different planets. It’s time for the junior high school name calling campaigns to be over. It’s time we had adults step up to solve our mounting problems. If it’s Obama - he’s got my respect and loyalty. He will be my President. If somehow McCain rallies and prevails, he will be my President and I will stand up for him. But if that happens I just hope he quickly turns around and tells the worst of his base to now shut their drooling pie holes.
