"Blue America" Blues

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"Oh, you're from a Red State." That's what the lanky man from San Francisco said at the moment we met. My husband and I were at a dinner with British/French friends, who wanted to introduce us to an American couple that lived in their building. We all were neighbors in Paris.

When my new acquaintance identified me in this way, I saw red. Yes, I was from Arkansas and the state went for Bush--but I didn't. My friends didn't. A chunk of other people like us didn't. What was his point--to look down on us, or to put us down?

What I heatedly said back to the man was: At least we're not so politically correct that we have as many rules as the right-wing Christians. You Californians may not have the same rules, but you have rules nonetheless--about how people should live, what we should eat and drink and smoke, what we should think and do. Oh, yes. It's free out there all right--as long as you fit a P.C. mold.

When I say something like this to Californians, they typically reply that they just want everyone to be healthy. My feeling is that this still comes down to Who Died and Left You God? It is still social pressure and disapproval that is delivered when someone isn't doing the "right thing" or living the "right kind of life." This applies to any group who feels they have the correct and only path to reach The [fill in the blank] Life On Earth.

And that was how our relationship with the San Francisco man and his wife began. They, of course, were lovely people. But I'll tell you this: Don't start off thinking you're better or more liberal or more of a Democrat than I am just because you come from a Blue State while I come from a Red State.

There you have it, and this is one thing that worried me about this election going into the exceedingly drawn out season. The Democrats tend to intellectualize things. They had forgotten how to connect with and talk to what is supposed to be their constituency, and winning the presidency would take more than the Blue States that are probably going to go Democratic no matter what. This is what I wrote in a blog on Huff Post called "Where's the Outrage?"

This kind of patronizing and polarizing superior attitude is not going to win the Democrats the next election. Our politicians are going to have to get down in the dirt and roll around with the common man, and it wouldn't hurt the rest of us to join them, at least those of us who don't think of ourselves as common. Anyone want to raise your hand?

These are the people who elected George Bush--at least once, if you don't count the stolen election.

Then voila! John Edwards was talking the talk. He got it and was making the real and solid connection with the Democratic constituency of which I'm speaking. I liked Edwards a lot. At one point, I even thought if Clinton and Obama cancelled each other out, Edwards could step in and fill the void. Now I hope to see him in the Cabinet of the next President of the United States, Barack Obama.

What Obama did far surpassed what I'd ever even considered possible. Not only did he connect with Democrats (and Independents and even some Republicans), but he gave several new generations a reason to care about their country in a way they didn't even comprehend before his candidacy. He inspired them enough to get involved. Astonishing! We haven't seen this in half a century. Barack Obama has engaged and lifted up the American nation across age, color, and, yes, gender lines. I have called this a new American Revolution--a Civilizing War--in this blog, and I believe that's true. When have we needed massive change more than we do now? If this doesn't happen, the United States will become a has-been nation and a false democracy.

If there is an American soul out there who didn't catch Obama's speech on race, it's important that you read or watch it here. Not only did he confront this divisive American and global problem, but he did it with the eloquence of a true leader of international stature. Someone we could be proud to represent us among the other leaders of nations. Like others, I felt relief to see his courage in addressing this underlying sore head-on. Unlike others, I live abroad, and watching the Bush-led U.S. diminish in the world's opinion--with good reason--has been up close and personal for me.

But I digress.

I was looking at several progressive political websites and noticed that more and more the phrase "Blue America" is being used, especially to elect progressive Democratic candidates. Hallelujah, I'm all for electing progressive candidates! I'm definitely in favor of voting out the Democrats who have voted like Republicans. Good riddance! They need to go. This is part of the change that needs to happen.

But for God's sake, use some other catch-word/logo/brand than "Blue America." Don't make a division with the Red States. We Democrats need to learn a lesson that the Republicans have beaten us with time and time again since Reagan revived his party: Connect with the people. Be more inclusive.

But this is something Democrats should already know.

Comments

[MThomasinNC]

Beth, love your article and I too live in the south. The red state blue state is a ruse played on the American people as a wedge issue to divide and conquer. Those schemes were devised in the 1970's rolled out in the 1980s and played like a fiddle in the 1990s thru 2006. Lucky us that the sleeping giant (american people) are finally waking up. It was all a scheme to keep us fighting among ourselves while jobs, education, health services, etc were stolen from us.
Obama can make a change but he needs the people. He needs the 'movement'. He needs us to tell Washington we are not going to take it anymore. As he says 'not this time'. So we need to vote for this change in big numbers, and right on down the democratic ticket to get a working majority in Congress. We are say - NOT THIS TIME......

[efranklin]

Eight years ago, I once heard someone from Massachusetts say that they could never live in New Hampshire because it's "too Republican". This is precisely the kind of attitude that *keeps* red states in the pockets of Republicans. New Hampshire, as we all know, is now a swing state. The lesson is that viewing red states as far away lands filled with two-headed monsters is divisive, and perpetuates the stereotypes of the "irrational, unpatriotic, and angry liberal" that is prevelant amongst many conservatives. As a certain senator from Illinois drummed in his now-famous 2004 address at the DNC, "there is no red state, there is no blue state, there is only one United States of America."

[juan787]

Nice post. I also understood his speech on race. He spoke out well on the issue and it seemed to play out as expected. You watch the news and listen to the commentators on Obama's speech on race, it then, really shows how we still lack unity as a country. It is very obvious that we are racially diivided still in this country. That is why I feel that Obama should be the President, not because he is black but by his way of defending himself and bringing real issues to the table. He truly is a uniter. I really think that if we want to prosper in America and not be has-beens of democracy we first need to be united as people of this great nation so we can show the rest of the world that we are still a great nation and that we will not settle for 2nds. When Russians went outer-space we said we will not only go outer- space but put a man on the moon and we did. We need that competitiveness back. We need to be the best in almost everything again.

[nazgul]

You tell 'em, Beth!

[Plowboy]

Let the race continue! As Schaife and other ultra-right Bush-Cheneyites keep coming out for their Hillary, a clearer picture comes into view of what has prevented the Democrats from blocking the disasters Bush and Cheney have been bringing down on us. We see Lieberman now as McCain's traveling companion and mentor. We see now what insightful Molly Ivins saw more than two years ago. And as the Republican-lites get exposed, the real Democrats gain strength.
We're beyond the silly season now. The sheepskin is being ripped off the wolves.
And soon they will be slinking off in defeat.

As for singing; my song isn't the blues now, but a Whitmanesque song of celebration.

Americans are not afraid of truth. And justice is an American value. And America is speaking up to those who have been misleading us. We will be united; that is how we will regain the world's respect.

[Republicnotademocracy]

Labeling states red or blue is utterly misleading. If we ever have the misfortune of engaging in another Civil War, it will not be a "war between the states". It will be a war between neighborhoods-- and therefore much more terrible.

[dissolvethecorporation]

There are major 'red' zones in California, too. It was an embaressment to have had friends from out of state visiting and see a KKK march in Porterville. Orange County gives us the 'minutemen.' You drive through Fresno with a pro-choice bumper sticker, you'd better duck!

[DenverJim]

dissolvethecorporation,
It's true about California. I'm a native of Ventura County, and it's extremely conservative and Republican. Regarding the recent shooting of the gay kid in Oxnard, I've heard people say "how can that happen in liberal Southern California"? They believe California is all Hollywood and Berkeley, and most of it isn't. I now live in Denver, which is in a red state, but Denver is every bit as blue as any other place known for liberalism. It's really much more of a local issue. If I drove an hour south of Denver, I'd be in one of the most red and Republican places in the entire county, and that would be Colorado Springs.