Why does this crap always happen to me?
Yesterday I was visiting the Forsyth County Government Center to pay property taxes on a car and it was also the same location for early voting here in the county.
My wife and I have voted early at this location for previous elections and parking was never an issue, nor was the location ever busy. Well, because of early voting, all the parking decks were full and street parking was loaded with people turning out to vote. There was the normal blanket of electioneers pleading for votes on the sidewalk, including a wheel-chaired gentleman with a big Elaine Marshall sign. I parked several blocks away and hoofed it, while complaining to myself on the lack of public transportation. Coming from San Francisco, I have been spoiled.
So I get into the tax office and luckily bypassed all the electioneering folks out front. I get in line and once I get to the teller, I learn they only take cash or check - NO debit or credit cards. I politely ask the lobby security officer where the local ATM is and head back out of the building heading for Wachovia a few blocks away, while complaining to myself on the lack of technology use. Coming from San Francisco, I have been spoiled.
After the ATM visit, I was already in a bad mood due to the cash only policy, lack of parking and public transportation. Upon arriving back to the government center, a gentleman asked me if I want a conservative voter guide. I politely said no to the older gentleman who could have passed as an optometrist. As I trudged across the plaza towards the doors I hear him behind me nattering on about "tyranny," "socialism," and "Obama." This is where it occurred to me the guy was not talking to another GOTV worker but to me, when I turned back to look, he was right behind me, following me into the building - well past the "No Electioneering" boundary.
I have really had it with these people. The constant racism, bigotry, homophobia and wrapping all of that with a clear disregard for the truth about the Constitution has turned me into this man with a zero tolerance for bullshit. And during this event, I expressed it.
Once in the lobby, out come my F-Bombs - hot and glorious F-Bombs astride golden horses, festooned with righteous red, white and blue war paint.
So I spun around and met him face-to-face and loudly said, "Dude, just go fuck yourself. Can you read a spreadsheet? Every heard of the OMB? If you want to start in about the deficit let's talk about Reagan and his first stab in the heart of the middle class, you putrid fucking excuse for an American. I am here to pay my taxes and do not want to hear your racist bullshit. I want you to stop fucking following me and leave me the hell alone!"
When I spun around to leave, there were a pair of Winston Salem's finest accompanied by the lobby security officer I spoke with earlier. One of them said, "Sir you need to leave the building." I figured I had gone a weeee too far (I have a habit of that), especially when I was next to the voter line. So they approached us and grabbed the OTHER guy by the upper arms and led him outside, while reminding him of the electioneering line.
I paid my taxes and left the building. As I crossed the plaza, the conservative guy was staring at me so I flipped him off, he pretended not to see me. So when I got back to the car, I drove by the plaza, stopped, laid on the horn, rolled down the window pointed at the idiot and flipped him off again.
The guy in the wheelchair laughed and applauded.
Yes, I know I am not helping. Yes, I know I am an ass, but I finally felt like I was back in San Francisco.
Image from the protest/celebration of the approval (the second one) of gay marriage, taken on the steps of San Francisco's City Hall.
P.S. The line for early voting had about 30-40 people in it and none, NONE, of them were white.