Two weeks of bliss, sunsets that never end, farmers' markets, vineyards, children playing in the waves, the Democratic convention speeches on tv, fresh seafood, friends, conversations on the beach...and the knowledge that we will return next summer. This sums up my late August vacation on the East Coast of the US. It was, simply put, one of my best, most relaxing vacations ever.
Then, as I prepared to fly back to Europe, hurricane Gustav loomed and I worried for friends and family in the South...and the Republican convention began.
That last week of vacation we made a point to watch and listen to the speeches at the Democratic convention. Obama's speech felt sincere. He made sense. He was about change and he went on the offensive, stood strong, looked and spoke like a leader. I brought my daughter and my European friend's child in to watch this historic moment. "Is it possible?", I thought, "...maybe this nightmare is over and I can return home?"
Just as I was imagining the end of my Expat life, and my daughter being able to have a real childhood in the US, I began receiving emails from a friend in New Orleans who described the empty pre-hurricane city virtually under martial law. People were wearing guns to go grocery shopping. Then the Palin announcement came. I wasn't going home. This was my home state of Texas on speed. I kept thinking about that Michelle Shocked song, Anchorage:
"Hey Shell, you know it's kind of funny
Texas always seemed so big
But you know you're in the largest state in the union
When you're anchored down in Anchorage"
On the cover of that album was a protester being dragged away by police in riot gear....hmmm...and the protesters being shot at with chemicals and the host of Democracy Now being arrested, the reality which one could find on YouTube but almost no coverage of in the mainstream press. What the hell happened? In a few days the great feeling I was having about how the US was going to be a leader and well respected in the world, the dreams of a better tomorrow and a country which I identified with were out the window.
When I saw that the U.S. is more divided than ever before, and that beliefs which I feel to be completely sane and very normal are considered to be ultra-liberal, I was happy to be living abroad. I am an American and I have the right to be angry about what is going on and rant and I am going to do so now!
I am a Democrat but actually found the old McCain palatable once upon a time...where in the hell did the real John McCain go? The guy who pissed off his fellow Republicans because he spoke his mind even when it wasn't convenient? Who is this guy who responds when asked why he has changed, "I don't know what you are talking about?" Why are Republicans glad to have a woman who can make moose stew but cannot educate her child about contraception?
When are we going to have a real national health care program which takes care of everyone? When will people not go bankrupt because a member of their family becomes ill? When will US companies start paying taxes, in the US? When will the public school system be better than private schools again? When will real news matter more than some celebrity's lifestyle or addiction? I mean who the hell cares about these stupid spoiled narcissistic people? When will billionaires stop leaving their wives for twenty year-olds and raise their kids right? And when will the good ole boys stop using the lowest common denominator mentality to smirk at the possibility of an America which is not bellicose nor fragmented, but unified and strong?
As far as I am concerned, the Republicans can all move to Alaska and secede. Palin and her brood can help populate the tundra. And the rest of us can get back to sanity. Obama and Biden, don't fall for underhanded tactics which push us towards more war. Be strong while keeping an open mind. Democrats, don't fragment us even more! And do not, under any conditions, vote Republican! And last but not least, Hillary, please help us!
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Posted September 9, 2008 | 06:08 PM (EST)