I got the red state blues...

I heard this essay read on the radio. I am sorry, but I cannot attribute it to a particular author, and can only paraphrase.

"There are two Americas. One that in our worst times and best times want to make them better. Those who are optimistic. Those who want to help the least unfortunate among us. Those who believe that us corporately can be happier and live better without endangering our individual potential. The second America are those who are chained to the notion that accomplishment is only valid if it is by an individual, those who believe that the unfortunate should be punished, those who cling to an illusion of superiority via bigotry and dogma, and who loathe those unlike themselves. I find myself increasingly unconcerned for that America, and increasingly willing to proceed without them and leave them to wallow in exactly what they inexplicably desire."

I thought: RIGHT ON!!! And then...

Hey, that's my state. That's most of my church. That's my whole family. That's most of my friends. That's my wife and my mother. That's a lonely life for madsaxer in my America. So what to do?

Hope the Clintons and Obamas can be presidents often and long enough to counter the damage done by Reagans and Bushes? Honestly hope that my guy is a better president to you than your guy was to me? Yeah. That's a start.

I know the science-haters (no global warming, 6000-year-old Earth...) might hate the sound of this at first. Evaluate what happens the next eight years empirically. It stings when your party loses. You can move, riot or secede, sure, but short of that you're along for the ride. Maybe things will improve. Watch what changes and what ensues. Was it what you expected? Was it what FOX said would happen? Look for pleasant surprises. Note the failures. Base your future vote on the data you collect.

May God bless the United States of America.