My first idea for the diary title was for it to end with “I’m ready to move to Canada.” Then it occurred to me that our northern neighbors won’t even let me cross the border, much less move there. Thus the meteor got top billing.
The pandemic has kept me around my house most days. But on Saturday, I needed to do a lot of driving in the hinterlands of Georgia. I packed a lunch and some drinks so that I wouldn’t have to worry about social distancing, and then I hit the road.
Before long, I realized that I was seeing a lot of Trump/Pence signs. I decided to keep track of what I saw. Here are the results:
- Trump signs and flags (I only counted one per house or business): 74.
- Jesus 2020 signs: 9.
- Confederate flags with Trump signs or flags: 3.
- Confederate flags without an accompanying Trump sign: 1.
- Signs reading Trump is my president, Jesus is my savior: 1.
- Biden signs: None.
In addition, there were numerous signs that simply said PRAY! Now, its none of my business if someone wants to send telepathic signals to the Sky Being of their choice. But please don’t make a command out of it.
The guy was in his yard, and I took this quick snapshot looking through my windshield. I probably could have pretended to be a supporter, and he’d have posed in front of the flagpole for a nice sharp picture.
For those of you who don’t spend much time in the countryside, what I’m about to say might register with you as being downright strange: If I were to run out of gas, or otherwise get into trouble, I could probably go to any of those Trump-loving households, and someone would help me immediately (Of course in this case it helps that I’m an older white guy). But that’s how most country people are. Helping others in need got baked into their DNA long before the current wave of divisive politics came along.
However, that being said, the chances of having a fruitful discussion about politics is about the same as my success record at finding Biden yard signs.
For decades now, conservatives have worked towards a goal of isolating rural people into bubbles, silos, whatever you wish to call them. The end result is that many people are immersed in conservatism. Among their family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and church associates, few dissenting voices are heard. What’s on the radio? Conservative talk. What’s on the television? Fox. What’s in the local newspaper? (and they do exist, because legal advertisements must run in every county): Conservative editorials. What do they see on social media? You know the answer.
A short time after the 2016 election, November 15 to be exact, I summoned the strength to emerge from my stunned state, and write this diary, which explored the politics of the countryside in greater detail:
Careening Towards Totality - My Views of Rural America and the 2016 Elections
Now, why are there no Biden/Harris signs at all? For one thing, they are damned hard to find. I looked around for a local outlet and found none. More than two weeks ago, I ordered a pair of signs from the Biden campaign, and I am still waiting for their arrival. I really do hope they show up before November 3. Meanwhile, there are Republican offices scattered around, and there are even vendors of Trump and Confederate merchandise; I passed one today.
It’s my hope that yard signs mean next to nothing, that the Biden/Harris ticket will carry Georgia, and that we will send two Democrats to the US Senate.
If things turn out badly, I might follow the advice of those PRAY! signs, and request that asteroid strike. (Yes, I know that a rock is headed this way the day before Election Day, but it’s barely bigger than my cat.)
Ok y’all, that’s all I’ve got. Do what you can to cheer me up.
