Thursday
I've had U2's "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" in my head since about 7:00 this morning, when I caught myself thinking, "I can't believe the news today..."
I am filled with impotent rage toward the electorate. Rage!
Minnesota will probably elect a Democratic governor (there will be another Exciting Recount!), but have elected a Republican senate for the first time in 38 years, as well as turned over power in the House. Minnesota. It makes me want to weep. And Russ Feingold! Erin shared this link, which pretty much summarizes what's wrong with this country. Incredibly, embarrassingly, willfully obtusely wrong.
The one thing in which I find some solace is that it appears to have been mostly old, grumpy people who turned out, and not at all a representative cross section of the populace. (The apathy of my generation is small comfort, but it does suggest that there is still hope if they'd get off their bums and/or start paying attention.) This is the article I found as I was looking for a reference to support my claim about the voters' demographic stats; I thought it was pretty great.
Anyway, there are happier things to blog about: my great trip to Lincoln, including time with good friends and their adorable children; the delicious pasta I made for dinner tonight, using just what I happened to have lying around; last weekend's Monster Dash half marathon; and, still, David's parents' visit. But those will have to wait.
My rage is tired and wants to go to bed.
7 comments:
I think much of what is wrong in this country is the factious division between liberals and conservatives. It's become tantamount to a "civil war," in my opinion. How will we ever get anywhere as a nation when we are so divided, warring with each other?
Another problem is assuming that the conservatives are made up privileged, grumpy, white men. I am not privileged nor a grumpy old man! :) There are plenty of rational-minded young people who want to see smaller government, less self-entitlement from their fellow citizens, conservative spending, and a greater adherence to the principles this country was founded on. That doesn't make us racist, xenophobic, homophobic radicals.
I could go on, but I won't... :)
Ugh, don't remind me. "We" re-elected David Vitter. Vitter! A convicted john who apparently still loves family values.
I think that we need to be drawing a big distinction between fiscal conservatives and the burgeoning radically conservative libertarian-ish movement (I refuse on principle to call them any kind of "party").
Those people are the most divisive of the bunch, screaming, spreading misinformation, and calling other people mean names. They're the equivalent of elementary school bullies, and we have to do something.
But what?!
Adrianna, you make excellent points and I'm thankful to have you for a friend and commenter! And I agree that the warlike tone that has characterized so much political discussion of late isn't helping at all. I tend to think that most Americans really do want the same things--including smaller government, conservative spending, and personal freedoms--but that they're being manipulated and polarized by the ranting that too frequently passes for "news," and the money behind it (and certain "grassroots uprisings"). All the noise not only makes it harder to tell truth from fiction, it makes it harder to hear each other.
And Leah, I completely agree that the screaming--and misinformation--around fiscal conservatism is one of the most concerning parts of the issue. As far as what to do about it, I don't know. I think it's a problem that Americans either don't seem to know whom to trust for their news, or choose to insulate themselves with opinions that only support their own. I would like to think that having, and trusting, accurate information would make a difference... but I'm not convinced.
The sound bites that angered me were on The Daily Show with Republicans saying that Obama is still the one that sets the government's agenda, recusing themselves from any responsibility for the next two years. So they stonewall for two years when they don't have majority, then get the majority (in the House anyway) and don't attempt to do anything with it. Very annoying.
Daniel, I concur completely. Although as far as really angering soundbites, I think it's hard to top McConnell's statement that "the single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president." How's that for forward-thinking "leadership"?!
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