Arrggh. You have no idea how difficult it is for me to come to grips with that conclusion. I’m actually still trying like hell to rationalize it away somehow. It’s extraordinarily painful to me.
I’ve always had a lot of pride (founded partly to a degree of Romanticism that’s part of me) in this country and the way it’s been able over the years to tackle some great things from an individual level to an international level.
I always thought there was a good reason that Americans have made (and still make) such formidable soldiers. It’s undeniable that a great part of that is due to our fantastic historical wealth, but I do think there’s an equally large part that has to do with our outlook and attitude about everything from cutting grass to fixing jet turbine engines. Regardless of what many people say, America is the most class-free country in history. For most Americans (at least historically speaking) there was no job that was too menial to do, and hard work could take you places. I think it is that relative absence of class that defines how we do many things.
The point of all this is, in the election of Barack Obama I saw something in our national character that registered for the first-time in the pit of my stomach. It was a nasty, greasy insight into something of our national character that I wished I hadn’t seen. The election was an expression of that insight.
I volunteered for McCain on my own dime Solely due to palin. I spent a lot of money traveling to help out because i knew thugbama would be a death knell to this nation. you have no idea the sick feeling I had in my stomach the day after the election, all of which panned out, but way worse.
The voters may be trying to elect better leaders, but the political establishment just won't allow that outcome. Does that make you feel better?