I've been chatting w/ the editor of my local paper about the lack of a progressive voice featured in our dead-tree edition and how this doesn't serve the increasingly progressive demographics of our county and state. To remedy this I've proposed writing a ~monthly column I'm calling "Leftward". The following is my initial submission and I'd appreciate any feedback from you fellow wordsmiths on how to improve this.
In the run-up to the 2008 presidential election passions where high on both sides of the political spectrum and, like many people who follow politics and care about an informed and motivated electorate, I was delighted to see, hear and read about the many debates that covered numerous and important issues. Sure, I knew who I was going to vote for and I've had many enthusiastic discussions on the topic but I've always thought that the bumper stickers and yard signs where a little too "in your face".
That changed last year. You see, a neighbor from one block over whom I had not previously met was making the rounds to muster up support for McCain/Palin. That sort of political activism is good stuff and I complimented the guy for putting his beliefs into action and invited him onto my porch for a chat. I kicked off our discussion with some comments about the state of the dismal economy and questions about the wisdom of the Bush administration giving $700B in TARP funds to troubled banks.
Well, that was met with a blank stare. What then gushed from this apparently educated, middle-class, clean-cut white guy's mouth was the foulest, most ignorant, propaganda-driven basket of stupid that I had previously only encountered while flipping through conservative dominated radio stations. It was my turn to return the blank stare.
What his tirade amounted to was an ungainly string of conservative talking points about Obama's close association with the "unrepentant terrorist" William Ayers, the America-hating influence that Reverend Jeremiah Wright lorded over Obama, Obama's Muslim connections and his complete lack of experience and the absence of a meaningful voting record during his term in the Senate. Ok. I acknowledge that everyone's concerns should be explored but I didn't think that these issues were all that substantive for the coming election.
In an attempt to find some common ground I gently inquired if he felt comfortable with Sarah Palin being second in line to be the leader of our country to an old guy with health problems. "Heck yeah!", he excitedly proclaimed, "She has far more experience than Obama. She's ready on day one.". My hand reflexively reached for the radio dial. Was this guy a talented performance artist performing a satire of a wide-eyed, frothing-at-the-mouth dimwit? Nope, he was the real thing. Another important point was that he didn't once mention what the McCain/Palin duo brought to the table in terms of policy positions. "Thinking" like this wrought eight years of the Bush administration. I had hoped that that was a fluke in American history.
Living free of fact, logic and reason is no way to go through life. If this was the new foundation for a once rational and moderate GOP then we're all better off easing it to the political curb where such conspiracy-laden nonsense thrives--on both sides of the political spectrum. For my response I made another contribution to the Obama campaign and bought two Obama/Biden yard signs. One of which was presented to a delighted neighbor. Yes, words and actions do have consequences.
Unfortunately my loony neighbor isn't the exception. The views he expressed likely came straight from talk radio, Fox News, and even from our elected Republican leadership and is echoed by many millions of Americans. How else can it be explained that 65% of Republicans would seriously consider supporting Palin for President in 2012. [Gallup 10/09] It boggles the mind.
There are plenty of words written in the Golden Transcript that support this "tea party" mindset but I seldom see an opposing voice that supports the progressive position on topical political issues, which, ironically, are usually supported by the majority of Americans.
This column is serving as an introduction to a new series entitled, "Leftward" which will tackle issues ranging from health care reform, the occupation of Afghanistan, gay marriage, Socialism, the separation of church and state and other issues that are relevant to our lives and how we vote. I look forward to an informed and enthusiastic engagement.