THE JOY OF SECTS
Throughout this presidential campaign, one thing has become increasingly clear. We are becoming a nation of sects. I know what you're thinking. Doesn't he mean "sex"? Well...yeah, that too, I guess, but I actually meant "sects". It's a word I most always associated with religions or fringe groups or cults. Now, it seems, it applies to our populous as well. Observing the many facets of this election, especially now as it heats to a rapid boil, I have been amazed at how divided we really are. As I have ventured deeper and deeper into political discussions with friends and neighbors, I am more and more stunned at our differences. Imagine that just a little over seven years ago, you couldn't find an American flag to buy. The country was engaged in a group hug, a coming-together in the wake of a horrific attack. An entire nation stood in shock, but united in cause.
Now? Well, let's just say...the times they are-a-changin'. In the last few weeks, listening to news outlets and listening to radio, the level of vitriol is through the roof. I am now completely convinced that this is a campaign fueled, in large part, by hatred. It's not who you think, though. It's not the Republicans. It's the far-left, and even moderates, so caught-up in the emotion of their disdain for George Bush and anything near him, that they have chosen to flock to a poet, and foist him up as our next leader. Amazing. Even a win by McCain will never change the fact that so many Americans became spellbound and chose not to reach decisions by incorporating logic and reason, but rather by doing what "felt good". Then again, in this generation, maybe that shouldn't be a surprise.
I have made no secret of my admiration for, and support of, Senator McCain. Still, this has always been about people submitting job applications to the public. The job is President of The Untied States. The public decides who is best qualified for the job. Not long ago, there would have been no question. In the New World Order however, it's not that simple. Or logical. The pragmatist would choose John McCain all day long. I'm not sure what you call the other kind of person. The one who bets on "hope", who picks the best "speaker", who opts for "inspiration" over qualification. I guess you would call that person a dreamer.
Whatever it is, it has divided us. Many of us, including myself, are angry over the federal governments inability to be effective. The financial meltdown, the execution of the war, domestic issues...it goes on and on. And they want more and more of our money, apparently, for the ever-increasing cost of being inefficient at screwing things up. They can't even screw it up on-budget.
The other thing that is helping the division along is the incredibly negative tone of this campaign, and that applies to both camps. That being said, the Media-Elite get the Crown Jewel for nastiness. Their collective treatment of McCain/Plain has been so absurdly one-sided that every newscast seems like an Saturday Night Live bit. Honestly, I dare anyone to tell me with a straight face that the treatment of Sarah Palin has not been absolutely shameful. I can't think of another high-profile woman who would be subjected to this kind of degradation without the public being in an uproar, but there is little said about the deconstruction of her in the public eye. A wife, a mother, a Governor, treated like some kind of circus-freak, to the squeals of delight from a crowd intoxicated from the din of it all. Just stop and think about it. It is unlike anything I can remember. To her credit, she has handled it, in my opinion, with unflinching dignity, as has her family.
"You can probably guess which "sect" I belong to after reading that. You better get used to the idea, because no matter which way this election swings, in addition to our financial crisis, the war and a hundred other things, I expect hurt feelings and grudges that could last decades.
Karl From New Hampshire