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Remember during the "energy crisis" when Carter was mocked for wearing a cardigan in a speech? Remember when we were asked to conserve energy? One would think that the power outage would have been a good time for Bush to talk about (insert joke here)conservation. You have only to read the stories of the sense of community that sprang up in NYC last night to realize that there is a huge untapped resource of people willing to help one another, even perfect strangers.
Remember 9/11 when the entire country flooded NYC with aid and would have done anything our President asked of us? His request: "go shopping."
Were any of us, outside of the military and their families, asked to sacrifice anything during the Iraq War? (Okay, okay, lots o tax dollars, but we haven't even been asked for that, it's just been taken.) See, I have a theory that the reason why the Dixie Chicks were crucified is because it was people's only outlet - the only way they felt they could "support the troops". Nature abhors a vacuum (well, so do I, but that's another post.) Americans yearned to help and were not offered a way to do so constructively. So they responded eagerly to a negative call-to-action. Because it was the only "action" offered.
What would have been the effect if Bush, after 9/11, had asked the country to forego tax cuts, for the good of the country and the economy? If he had said this on 9/12, do you not think the overwhelming majority of the country would have responded with a resounding, "Hell, YES, we can wait."
Remember when JFK asked us not to think of what our country could do for us, but what we could do for our country? It was a great line because it tapped into what, I think, is really our greatest strength. We want to DO something for our country, we want to give, we want to feel like we are part of something bigger than our individual selves. That's patriotism, ladies and germs. And by not asking anything of us, EVER, Bush & Co. have denied us the chance to really show our love for our country.
I despise this administration for so many reasons, all of which have been expressed more eloquently than I could. The lying, the cheating, the abuse of power, and on and on and on. But I'm starting to think that what I hate most is the way they've tried to suck out the pride we should feel in our country by not letting us PARTICIPATE.
The good news is that it ain't working. This board and other blogs have convinced me of that. Because if Bush Etc., ain't askin' us to do anything, we've got some great Dem candidates who ARE. And all we gotta do is work and give and turn out for the one who emerges.
eileeeeen from OH (going to get a beer)
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