
English: A bit of barbed tape behind some chain-link fence. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Since this blog started, we have never tried to identify clearly who we were while trying to speak to all sides of the political system. However, this time it’s different, only because I must share a personal story that happened. Is it shocking? To some. Is it racist? Absolutely. Is it representative of a large cross-section of America? We believe it is…
Last Saturday afternoon I noticed a man behind our home (on another property) starting a fire and drinking some canned beverages. I must clarify this story by saying I currently live in a middle class development of mixed race that borders a trailer park separated by a chain link fence and some county property that has a similar chain link fence with barbed wire so no one will attempt to trespass on county property. On occasion, a small ruckus may come from the trailer park, but usually nothing more than yelling or screaming at kids, neighbors or the occasional lost driver. I’m not trying to paint a picture of anyone who might live in a trailer or double-wide, that is not my point. I must also clarify that I live in the south as a transplant from the north. This is the land of rebel flags and gun racks for ‘our own protection’.
Nothing much happened throughout the afternoon as the man tended to the fire. As the sun was beginning to set, I noticed a truck with a couple of people pull close to the fire and unload some coolers. Keep in mind, this building event was no more then 50 yards from my screened in back lanai. A short while later some music began to play – not loudly – and you could here people talking and laughing. Not too much later, another truck showed up and a few more people got out of the vehicle. Surprisingly the music became quieter and it seemed as though the conversation of “Hello’s” and “how’s work” shifted to politics. My own curiosity perked as I could hear them discussing Romney as one man clearly stated “He ain’t no Southern Baptist” and another “They ain’t able to put a ‘real man’ who can do something in office” – I can only assume to know what that might mean. I could clearly hear a woman’s voice identify, “well, he’s the best your gonna get and Ryan’s kinda cute.”
Another woman spoke up, clearly not knowing the crowd she was part. All I heard after she calmly mentioned Obama was a man’s voice saying “Obama’s for Spics, Niggers and Faggots”. Honestly, I couldn’t really believe what I had just heard. I have had a feeling that the prejudiced divide in this country existed and the suppression was kept a closely lipped and tight knit circles where they whispered such words, but no… this was not the case. I kept listening as the group continued on a long rant about how poorly Obama had done as a leader, that he never should have been elected in the first place and that he has no right to be president becasue he isn’t even a citizen. The accusations continued accounting he was a Muslim, Socialist and Satan sent to destroy the United States of America. Romney was not left out of the bashing as they justified how they could vote for a Mormon and a rich snob who doesn’t know what it’s like to “go huntin’ and drink some beers like a real man”.
Everyone in the country is entitled to have their own opinion, clearly and loudly be able to justify their beliefs. You may believe that the comments mentioned here are only a small section of true America, but I would disagree. Republicans have said its’ not about race, it was about getting Obama out of the White House – Clearly NOT saying that it is about making this country better! Yes, the economy is still in the dumps and world economics could indicate that it may impact the future of growth for the U.S., but that will come with no matter who is in office. Maybe it’s time this country starts working together instead of trying to rip itself apart with egotistical racists and hate mongers who refuse to even consider the option of another side to their opinion. The divide of this country is not what was intended when they fought for freedom from tyranny; it seems we we have after almost 250 years created our own divide – not against another country, but ourselves.
TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 30:
It seems all the right wing conservative Republicans have quickly adapted the ‘spin’ on Mitt Romney‘s latest ‘words’. The spin is the fact that 47% of Americans will not vote for him. Okay. We get that, although the numbers may be changing. The spin puts an even 47% Republican and 47% Democrat with a 6% Independent or undecided. Sure. That makes sense. Sometimes people can be persuaded to change their minds, but for the most part, Americans are divided about what they believe in and who they trust. If you look at the past, pollsters would say the majority of Hispanics and Blacks are Democrats because they are more liberal and rely on the government for assistance. White, southern, evangelical Christians tend to be more conservative and Republican. For the most part, you can look at demographics throughout the United States and know who is going to vote for whom. Republicans don’t campaign heavily in Democratic states because they believe it’s a waste of time and money – the same can be said for Democrats. It is what has become named the “swing states” that draw the most attention since the hanging chad incident.
So the swing states may be the key to the victor and the spoils of reward lie in the hands of the undecided, but the winner of the 2012 Presidential Election may lie in the hands of those who get pissed off enough at one side or the other to motivate them to get off their asses and actually vote. Republicans have the upper hand becasue the voter base is committed and usually it can be proven to be a larger early voter turnout and support base that encourages participation. Democrats may have some that vote early (and often according to some) but the majority wait until election day to get to the poll and cast their vote. Both sides prefer a strong election day turnout and bombard true supporters to encourage, remind and persuade them to get to the polls no matter what, and it works for the true believers – and it works. It’s the 6% of the undecided that both Republicans and Democrats try to convince their side is better than the other and can change the United States for the better against the evil of the other person.
It’s not always about experience, ability, or quality of the candidate, it’s about how much money they can raise, how much they can trash talk their opponent and, most importantly… not screw up. For some, they can’t believe a ‘black man’ became president and it’s about his record over the past 4 years – which it should be. For others, it is about getting Obama out office and replacing him with ‘someone’ who looks the part. Does Romney have the experience to run the country? Does he have the connections to make a change or do what he claims is “turn this country around?” Given the very public record of Romney in business and even as Governor of Massachusetts, the differences between the tow candidates are not dissimilar. Has Obama done anything in the past 4 years? Could we be in worse shape than we are now? Do you think it will get better or worse no matter who is in office? All of these questions will be answered soon… stay tuned.
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