My Humbling Weekend.

[RazBerryBeret]

I live in a suburb of central Ohio. Even though we've been the second worst hit state by loss of manufacturing jobs, Columbus has been one of the top three cities, because of it's diversity in employment and business. We have quite a bit of retail and food service headquarter offices here. Last thursday Wendy's -- headquartered here, was sold to Arbys. Lots of jobs at stake. I lost a full time job in October, but I'm fortunate enough to be able to freelance my skills, and have remained busy....but thinking about the future.

Friday night I ordered Pizza and noticed the delivery driver was probably 50 years old, not that that is a big deal, but it made me think. Saturday I thought I'd take my two boys to the driving range to hit some balls--they LOVE that. While we were there we noticed a man in his 30s with his 2 sons, hitting balls also, and the had 2 prosthetic legs, from the thighs down-- an army vet. Again, made me realize I have lots to be thankful for.

Today on TV I saw an TV spot advertising "Home Foreclosure Auction". that's the first I've seen it advertised, I know there have been lots of foreclosures around here...but again, something to think about.

So I'm very very thankful tonight in my little house in the burbs. But I have to think How in the world can ANY republican win a national election with what we are all going through? We really can't let that happen.

[Olney Blue]

1. We can't let them win. This happened on their watch.

[roguevalley]

14. I'm glad you're okay, razberry. my little house here in ALaska is

my refuge. I wish only good to all tonight.

[MercutioATC]

2. By adhering to te neocon strategy..."Keep 'em ignorant and scared".

Without trying to sound biased, this is exactly what Obama's "cling to guns or religion..." statement was about...wedge issues.

One way to control a large group of people is to keep them ignorant and afraid. To do that, all you have to do is tell them what to believe, convince them that they have no real power, and scare he daylights out of them. Unfortunately, this works very well in the America of today.

This is why I believe that it's not enough to get any Dem in the White House (though that's definitely preferable to having a Repub there). What we need to do is completely change the system...and that begins with a fundamental change in the way we do things. We need to stop the "anything to win" tactics and encourage voters to think again. Until we do that, Dem or Repub, we've all lost.

[RazBerryBeret]

4. and that's what scares me to death...

I remember in 04, when a vote for Kerry equalled a voted for baby killing and gay marriage. it was the craziest thing I've ever seen/heard.

[MercutioATC]

13. Exactly. This is not going to be an easy trend to overcome.

Politicians (both Dem and Repub) have been fostering this for decades. Regardless of which party benefits during a given election cycle, it's an unhealthy practice...but it's been mainstreamed. We talk about "electability" based on spin instead of reality. We regularly seek to gain the upper hand in a fundamentally flawed game.

The only way to change things is to demand that change from our politicians and our media...which means a change in our electorate...which means a change in us.

As long as we keep supporting candidates who spew rhetoric or media outlets that fuel our fears, we're getting nowhere. This election seems like a time to start changing that...

[Cleita]

3. You say that as if we could have a choice.

If our votes are counted the way they should be counted and the courts don't over turn election results, there shouldn't be very many Republicans in office in January 2008. However, they are screwing with elections again. Look at the latest refusal to pass laws that would make paper trails and other election results accountable just last week. Courts are overturning the results of elections. It's happened in my district for local stuff twice now. Yeah, I hope we have something to not let happen, but I'm getting very cynical.

I am also really disgusted and angry with my local democrats. One Congressman seat in Washington and two Assembly seats in the California legislature with sitting Republicans are going uncontested. The party in my county is not running any Democrats against them. So how are we going to get the numbers we need if we don't challenge the entrenched Repubs in office? :grr:

[RazBerryBeret]

6. disgusted and angry

just about covers it. there was a big stink in Ohio in 04. we have a new secretary of state, but I don't see a many changes yet.

[cbayer]

5. Well, at least you didn't fart in an elevator right before you got off!

I just had to do that!

Great post. I love it when people have these insights and re-adjust their perspectives and priorities. I hope you have a wonderful night at home.

[RazBerryBeret]

7. ok...

that totally cracked me up!!! I heard that joke on the way to the gas station and grocery today. so it was my moment of levity....
pretty funny, hope you have a wonderful night as well!!

[truedelphi]

8. It also sounds like Ohio might be off the maps in terms of having the airlines

Keep any major hubs through there - have you heard anything about this??

And in a few more years, there will be far more foreclosures and far more vets stomping around in prosthesis etc.

These are probably the good ol days!

[RazBerryBeret]

11. here's to the good old days!

sad to say. I thought about that too, as much as the guy at the driving range captured my attention in years it will probably be no big deal to see a double amputee. wow.

I know we lost SkyBus, which was a start-up airline that everyone was talking about, seemed to be doing well. then just went bankrupt overnight. (I'm sure it wasn't really overnight, but they were selling tix one day and the next out of business)

[defendandprotect]

9. No Republican is going to "win" an election --- the only way is another STEAL . . .

and, of course, the computers enable that . . .

[Iwillnevergiveup]

10. My 61 year-old brother

has been delivering pizzas in Eau Claire, Wisconsin for 15 years. He says he averages about $700 a week, no mileage reimbursement, no health care, no paid time off.

[knitter4democracy]

12. Ohio and Michigan are really hurting.

It's just getting worse and worse, and it's so hard to see everyone hurting like this.

:hug: I really believe that the only way we're going to survive this is by banding together. We need to find that place in our hearts for our fellow citizens again and work to keep us all afloat.