Four years ago, I was in the midst of separating from my wife, losing my home, losing my job and still grieving the loss of my father. Not to mention my boys being ripped from me as well as my cats.
Now, I am remarried, have a decent career path, and a home where I am proud to have my boys be with me as often as I can.
Yeah, I'm better off under Obama.
The safety net was there, weak as it was, but there nonetheless. Not without challenges, my old boss tried to challenge it, nice people...somewhere underneath. Even the grinch had a heart, right?
What I want to do is tell off republicans. I want to yell at them, to deliver some sort of reality to their alternate universe, to bring them back to a semblance of sanity. To let them know their actions in small and large ways are hurting all of us. That their tribalism is hurting America. That In their desire to suppress and make the "other" go away they are killing what makes America unique and pre eminent.
But, I am not a yeller. I only do so in times of urgency... No, I rationally discuss with the so called conservatives. I frustrate their lines of thinking or arguments and when they get testy or break down and say something uncivil I remind them that they are the reason there is no civil discourse in society today. This sets them frothing... And I remind them that that's the disease, the unwillingness to even listen to other thinking that is the problem.
I live in a rather small red portion of MA. Some times I get a thinker or someone who used to remember and admire william Buckley... I met the man, don't believe in his politics, but he was big believer in the arts and using rational arguments, so a loyal opposition I can respect... And then I tell them this: what I want to see is a strong, intelligent and vibrant republican party. One that uses logic and cogent arguments to raise the level of discourse. Why, do I want this if I am such a dyed in the wool liberal? Because, it takes two worthy tennis players to help each other surpass their individual level of play. Only when both parties are smart, vibrant and rational can level of discourse AND governance improve.
And Obama knows this. He believes in this too. Which is why he tries and tries and tries to work with whomever on the other side is willing to stick his or her head out from the so called conservative side. One day, may it come soon, the pledge to norquist, will be broken and forgotten. Rational and thinking republicans will come to their senses and be brave enough to seriously govern. To reject the hate and move on to to do right by America and its people.
Today, I have the love of my wife, my two boys, a decent life, hope for today and tomorrow. I have my ex wife's good will when it comes to my boys. I see them as often as I can. These are my treasures. I have a home and a career... All good things.
So where does Obama fit in all of this? He gave me hope that America can be smarter than under Bush. He gave me hope when there was little to hope for. That hope kept me working looking for a job when job pickings were slim. He gave me a tax break when I landed a job, and this helped more than anyone will know. He gave me topics to speak about to others, especially my now wife. She's another Kos lurker, and I love her deeply and admire her intelligence. She has very similar political leanings though she is hesitant in seeing a resurgent GOP.
My little gremlins like making heads spin just as much as I and my wife do. They are smart logical thinkers. And, they can see the trust I put into our president. They understand that he is smart and respects intelligence. I have great expectations of them. And they have even greater expectations for themselves. As president Obama has for all of us. And, this is how it should be.
So, yeah, I am better off today than four years ago. So, republicans, what other lame ass attack do you have? Or, are you finally going to sit down like adults, disuss things intelligently and seriously govern?
I suppose you will have to follow thru on your latest attempt, feeble and uninspired as it is. Perhaps when you are done with your palinesque tour de force that is the Romney campaign, when the hurt of so many loses makes you rethink...
Okay, okay... I am dreamer. But, I like this dream than the nightmare of my reality four years ago.
