This Baffling Election

As we approach the mid-term elections. I find myself baffled as to the outcome. I feel in my bones that the polls are wrong, but there is this undercurrent of racism and misinformation fostered by FOX News, the Internet, and the teabagger Republicans that is unmistakably scary. Are Americans so racist and so stupid that they will vote to put the Republicans back into power?

After eight years of George Bush, his unnecessary war and poor economic policy, and now an openly bigoted segment of the population spewing hatred toward, minorities, gays, women, and Muslims, the social atmosphere in this country has been turned upside down. Will gays stay away from the polls because of there disappointment with the President? Will African-Americans, who voted in record numbers, turn their backs on the President by not voting?

The free thinking segment of the population must realize that any disenchantment with the President must take a back seat to keeping the teabagging Republicans under their rocks where they belong. We cannot and must not allow this backward move toward a church state, with no public education, poor health care coverage, persecution of minorities, and an ever widening gap between rich and poor, as the middle class rapidly declines.

At the same time, we must be on guard, should Democrats prevail. The climate will be ripe for violent reactions, fostered by the Republican minions on FOX noise and the likes of Karl Rove, Sarah Palin, Sharon Angle, Joe Miller, Christine O'Donnell and many others. The President must govern strongly, and he must avoid the weakness of continuing to try to be bi-partisan. I know that he promised to do so and he has tried desperately to fulfill his campaign promises, but it hasn't worked. He must move beyond the GOP, basically, ignoring it, unless it chooses to be statesmanlike and compromise.

The election will be "electric." There is no doubt about it. I can't predict the outcome and I do not think the pollsters have a real grasp of it as well. Hopefully, common sense will prevail and the country can move forward, rather than return to the dark ages of Republican rule.

Georgia's Uphill Battle

In Georgia these days we have an uphill battle against backward leaning Republicans. From the late 1960's to 2000 Georgia progressed in so many areas. We had a nationally recognized Department of Transportation, a highly regarded State Parks system, and a strong environmental lobby with a sound environmental policy. Our barrier islands were and still are the best preserved on the east coast. We had sound fiscal leadership and our political leaders were generally honest.

For the last eight years we have seen every area of state government deteriorate. Our DOT is riddled with poor leadership from top to bottom. One of our state owned barrier islands is in danger of being over-developed by cronies of the current governor. Environmental leaders have been forced from boards. Our governor has governed from a "what can I do to help me personally" viewpoint. Our Speaker of the House was so corrupt he was finally forced out of office. The Lt Governor barely has a high school degree and has no clue about governing other than to line his pockets. You have probably guessed by now that these people are of the Republican ilk.

We now have a Republican gubernatorial candidate so corrupt that he left the U.S. House to escape an ethics probe. He was selected as one of the 10 most corrupt persons in Congress just prior to his resignation. The GOP candidate for Attorney General promises to waste millions of our tax dollars on a suit to overturn the "unconstitutional" health care law. Here in my home district we have an incorrigible Republican candidate for the state house. He has been involved in corrupt legal dealings for many years. His father was disbarred in 1997 because of a corrupt deal. Our representative has continued where his father left off, creating dummy corporations to help "preachers" steal from their congregations.

The Republicans seem to have a lock on everything political in this state. It is an uphill battle for Democrats, who ruled this state from 1870 until 2000. Now the racist appeal of the Republican party has captured the heart of many Georgians. We have a great candidate for Governor in Roy Barnes. A wonderful Georgian, Carol Porter, is running for Lt. Governor and here in our district and fine young man, Jack Lance, is running for the state house. All are honest and fair and all are making great inroads against the corruption that has overtaken our legislative and executive branches. It remains to be see how well they will do on election day.

Locally, I believe we will prevail. Statewide I hope we will prevail, but I am very worried that Georgians will go to the polls and elect more corrupt politicians, who will continue to bleed our state dry. As on the national level Georgia's GOP pols follow the racist, anti-American Republican rhetoric, spouting hatred for the President, minorities, gays, the unemployed, the elderly and the poor. It will be a sad day for our state and our nation if Republicans prevail in November.

Upset at Dems So Sit Out the Election or Vote Republican?

Reportedly, at least according to this news story, Gays are upset at Democrats and the President, so some are planning to sit out the upcoming election or look for someone else to vote for. This makes absolutely no sense to me. Yes, the Democrats haven't moved as fast as many would like, but taking a chance on putting Republicans back in charge?

For gays especially, voting Republican or not voting Democratic is playing with fire. Republicans are openly hostile to gays. They constantly rail against homosexuals, precipitating violence, and at the same time, voting against hate crimes legislation. If they return to power in Congress, DADT will certainly be continued. If they gain power in states, gay marriage bans will continue to be the norm. In short, putting Republicans back in power means going backward, while leaving Democrats in charge means there are still chances to progress.

Granted, I'm not gay, so I cannot totally empathize. However, it simply doesn't make sense for gays to stay home and refuse to vote in November. It definitely makes no sense whatsoever to vote in any way, shape or form for a Republican. Certainly things may not have moved fast enough, but give it some more time. Two years isn't a long time. With Democrats in power the chance for change still exists and pressure can still be exercised. With Republicans in charge there will be nothing but backward movement and more difficulties for gay Americans.