A week ago I voted for John McCain. At no point did the prospect of a McCain/Palin ticket excite me, but the “cult of personality” surrounding Barack Obama pissed me off.  Obama was much better in 2004 when he was my little secret. In the end, that’s why I voted for John McCain–Obama had become trendy.

As the week has passed, I am reminded why I left the Republican Party. The rhetoric among McCain supporters ranges from bitterness towards Sarah Palin to not-so-subtle racism. I look at the anger directed at McCain’s “moderate” positions and I see calls for a return to the rigid, Levitical legalism of the Rapture Right. Then you have the fringe, conspiracy theorists, claiming that Barack Obama is part of some grand plot with terrorists to coordinate an attack on the United States or that Obama is the anti-Christ because the winning numbers in the Illinois lottery last week were 6-6-6.  There’s the story of the University of Texas football player kicked off the team for posting racist remarks, which supposedly stemmed from a text message circulating among many McCain supporters. Then today, on my way to work, I got behind a car with a bumper sticker that read, “Be Afraid: There’s Another Hussein in Power.”

After taking all that in, I wish I could go back in time and recast my vote. There’s no doubt in my mind that I would vote for Barack Obama if I had it to do all over again. It took me nine months to regret my vote for George W. Bush in 2000; it only took me one week to regret my vote for John McCain.

Thank God Obama won!

I will never vote for another Republican again–ever! After all, if I must choose between socialism or the unholy alliance of religious extremism and fascism of the right, I will take the socialism every time.

From FDR to LBJ, the thirty-three percent hung out on the Left. Starting with Nixon and running through the 2006 mid-terms, the middle-33 hung out with the right (yes, even during the Clinton and Carter administrations). However, starting with the 2006 mid-terms, we saw an ever subtle shift towards the Left and Tuesday’s results confirmed that the pendulum has indeed swung to the Left.

Additionally, we saw the widening schism between rural and urban America.  The Dallas Morning News’ Troy Oxford provided the following graphics in today’s paper:

Geography of the popular vote

Texas results

The Good

• Texas not so red anymore- As you can tell from the images above, changing demographics in the urban centers in Texas have led to a party shift in those areas. Travis County and Dallas County led the way. On Tuesday night, Harris County took a sharp turn to the Left and even in the conservative strong hold of Tarrant County, Democrat Wendy Davis was able to unseat long time Republican District 10 Senator, Kim Brimer. Watch for this trend to spread across the state in the years to come. Nobody deserves a one party state. A growing Democratic base in Texas is a good thing.

• Huge victories for personal liberties- Voters dealt a serious blow to the Puritan agenda of the Right on several ballot intiatives across the nation. In Washington state, voters passed an euthanasia bill similar Oregon’s, by an overwhelming majority, which will allow terminal patients the right to end their suffering in a dignified manner. In South Dakota, voters rejected an effort by anti-choice radicals to ban abortion.  Colorado voters rejected an attempt by religious radicals to apply Biblical literalism to the scientific definitions of “life.” Residents of the Peoples’ Republic of Massachusetts took a stand against one of the most fascist of all state governments and passed a measure decriminializing marijuana possesion. Yes, civil libertarians all across this great nation can rest easy knowing that after eight years of social repression, freedom is one again chic.

• We all got a little bit greener – California has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to environmental issues. Therefore, it was no great surprise that California voters approved a high-speed rail system to run from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Hopefully, if all works well there, this trend will spread across our nation–it would be great to have Texas connected via high speed rail. On the other end of the spectrum, Missouri is not a place that comes to mind when it comes to environmental initiatives. However, Missouri residents approved a very impressive renewable energy bill. And while it may not make us any “greener”, I do think it’s worth pointing out that Massachusetts residents approved a measure that will ban the cruel sport of dog racing.

• True progress was achieved – Barack Obama became the first African-American elected President of the United States of America. How awesome is that? The Europeans can’t call us “backwards” anymore. I may have problems with some of Obama’s policies, but I am excited nonetheless. Change is good! Hopefully, Obama will have the opportunity to bring some change to the Supreme Court by making some progressive appointments.

The Bad

• Marriage Amendments – California, Florida and Arizona all passed “marriage amendments.” All three represent huge steps back in the attempt to bring some equality into this world, but without a doubt the passage of Proposition 8 in California is far more damaging than the others.

• People want to be taxed? – I don’t understand people from Massachusetts. They talk funny, eat bland food and they like the Patriots. I especially don’t understand their politics. Massachusetts residents voted against an intiative that would have eliminated the state income tax.

• Affirmative action lives on – Colorado voters rejected the Colorado Civil Rights Initiative, which would have ended affirmative action in the state.

The Ugly

• Arkansas adoption law- Not since the Jim Crow South has the United States seen such a blatant attempt to legislate discrimination against a particular set of people. The measure effectively bans unmarried couples from adopting children or serving as foster parents and is specifically aimed at the GLBT community. Sadly, homophobia is still alive and well.

• Rhetoric of some McCain supporters -I guess I was naive to think that an African-American could be elected president and everyone would accept it. Already, people are turning to hate to try and cope with defeat. Today, I heard the story of a Univeristy of Texas football played being kicked off the team because of racist post on his Facebook page. Also, I read the story of racist graffiti showing up in an East Texas town where I lived during my college years. Even worse, is the subtle racism. Today, I heard a conservative radio talk show host mention that the winning numbers in the Illinois lottery game, Pick 3, the night after the election were 6-6-6. Since Obama is from Illinois, the radio host toyed with the idea that this could be further proof that Obama was the anti-Christ. The radio show host was really just sugar coating the bitter racism that lies inside him.

I think we’re all curious as to how Hillary and Bill really feel today. Perhaps, it played out like this last night at their household:

(Scene opens in Clinton living room. Bill sits in a recliner, cigar in mouth, glass of Scotch on table. Bill flips through the channels on a big screen TV, stopping briefly on Cinemax, removing the cigar from his mouth and leaning towards the TV and grabbing his glass of Scotch.)

Bill: Well, alright, alright…that’s what I’m talking about. Tap that ass Mr. Postman!

 (After about 30 seconds, Bill leans back into his chair, returns the glass to the table and puts the cigar back in his mouth. He flips over to MSNBC, just as they are calling Ohio for Obama. Chris Matthews is there talking to Keith Olbermann in the background …’Well Keith, I’ve got the tingling sensation in my leg again’)

 Bill: Hil, come in here babe. You need to see this.

 (Bill takes out his BlackBerry to check a message…’Joe Lieberman gave me your number, said you told him it was ok if I called. Thought I would txt you first to make sure she is not around. Would love to chat more, luv Sarah’  Bill types back a response, ‘Nows not good. The bitch is back.. TTYL. ‘ )

 Hillary: Who are you talking to?

 Bill: What are you talking about baby?

 Hillary: The Blackberry? I saw you typing a message.

 Bill: Oh, that? That’s nothing, sweetie. That was ol Carville just e-mailing me about our fantasy football league. I’m in first heading into this next week.

 Hillary: Whatever. You make me sick you fat piece of ….

 Bill: Baby, sit down

 Hillary: Don’t you “baby” me you stupid piece of shit….

 Bill: Baby, sit down. They just called Ohio for him.

 Hillary: For him who?

 Bill: For.. “that one”?

 Hillary: What? What did you say?

 (Bill points to the TV. Hillary turns red, grabs glass of Scotch off of table and hurls towards the TV. She runs towards the windows ripping the curtains off the wall. She picks up a vase in the corner and hurls it towards Bill. It shatter on the wall behind him. )

 Bill: Chill…Hil!

 Hillary: (as she approaches Bill in the recliner) This is all your libido’s fault. You caused this. You ruined my shot.

 Bill: Baby, watch the leather. Watch the leather. (adjusts in the seat and puts his cigar out in ashtray) This is just a temporary set back. I’ll make some calls tomorrow and we’ll start working towards the future.

 Hillary: Calls? You’ll make some calls? Who in the hell are you going to call? That bald Cajun friend of yours? He’s probably at a Playboy convention. Lanny Davis? A lot of good he did me as my campaign officer.

 Bill: I’ll take care of it. Now you come over here, you know I get all warm inside when you get firey like that…

 Hillary: Get your hands off me. You…you…MAN. You and HIM have ruined my life and destroyed my destiny. <slaps Bill and starts to beat him. She then notices a hanger on the couch, she points to it and asks…> What’s that? Is that a….

 Bill: Look babe, the new guy was the one who went to cleaners today. He doesn’t know any better.

 Hillary: (She begins to unload on Bill again with one hand as she reaches for the hanger with the other hand) Oh, “he doesn’t know any better?” Is that his excuse? You tried to pull that shit with Monica, that shit ain’t going to fly with me. You’re back in Hillary-wood now. (She takes on the personality of Joan Crawford as she issues the following) I told you, no more WIRE HANGERS. (she begins to beat Bill with the wire hanger) You, Obama and all other men are exactly the same and I am sick and tired of it.

 Bill: (reaches for the remote and does the only thing he knows to do, turns the DVD player on) Hey look, the L Word is on… (Amazingly, Hillary immediately drops the hanger and plops on the couch. Bill sneaks out into the kitchen takes out his Blackberry and lights another cigar. He begins to compose a text message. “Sarah, Bitch is gone, was wondering if you wanted to get together for band practice. You on flute, me on se.<Bill hits backspace and begins over> sax. Holla’ back. Bill….and SCENE!)

 I guess I learned the true meaning of the word “dissent” on September 12, 2001.

I remember listening to ABC Radio’s coverage of the 9/11 attacks and almost immediately, pundits on both sides of the aisle began discussing the ramifications of the attacks and an inevitable loss of certain civil liberties we once enjoyed. As the world came together to mourn, the Bush administration preyed upon these fears and launched a campaign that would forever change the landscape of our nation and our world. It took me less than 24 hours to realize that the response was far more dangerous than the attacks.

I voted for Bush in 2000. I’m not proud, but it’s the truth. On September 12, 2001, I began to regret my vote and began to take actions to rectify it. On campus, I spoke out against efforts to invade Afghanistan. I called into conservative talk radio programs and tried to convince hosts and listeners that the Bush administration’s response violated the most basic tenants of the Republican Party platform (e.g. limited Federal government). I wrote letters to the local newspaper in East Texas, a land redder than red, denouncing the Bush administrations response, causing many of my friends to distance from me because dared to question.

In 2002, fed up with the Republican Party, I began to campaign for Green Party and Democratic candidates. I started a chapter of College Democrats on my college campus and wrote letters to the school newspaper, denouncing it as a “right wing rag.”

During the lead up to the invasion of Iraq, I became even more radical in my dissent, staging walk outs on campus and organizing campus activities denouncing the Bush administration’s plans. I even used my slot on a local sports talk radio program to veer the topic from sports and focus on what I saw as unjust war led by an unjust administration.

In March of 2004, I voted for Dennis Kucinich in the Democratic Primary. By August of 2004, Barack Obama’s keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention had lionized him my eyes and convinced me to campaign for Kerry and not waste a vote on Nader.

I worked phone banks, work votered registration drives and used my car as billboard supporting John Kerry and criticizing George Bush and the Republican Party. On November 2, 2004, I was the first person in line at my polling location to cast a vote for John Kerry. That night, I watched in horror as the returns came in and it became clear that Bush would remain in office. The only hope I had the whole evening was Obama winning a seat in the U.S. Senate.

I was so upset over the election returns that I refused to talk to my parents, family members and friends who voted for Bush for over a week. I covered high school football games for my radio show and for a website and at games-in East Texas-I would stand with my back to the flag during the national anthem to protest the Bush administration and the state of our nation.
I bought t-shirts, bracelets, bumper stickers-all expressing me frustrations. I began a blog with the sole purpose of ripping everything Republican-from Tom DeLay and Karl Rove to the Terry Schiavo fiasco and attempts to legislate homophobia on the part of the Republican Party.

Along the way, my crush on Barack Obama wore off and I can no longer support him in good faith. I stand by my convictions-a smaller government is a better government and taxes are not fair no matter how much you earn. Taxing the rich will not solve our economic woes, neither will expanding the size of our Federal government. Bush expanded the size of the government, allowing the government to go where it doesn’t belong.

 While in different ways, Obama will seek to expand the powers of the Federal government even further. The minute Obama tries to raise taxes on my wealthy brothers and sisters; I’ll be here to fight the Democrats’ attempts at socialism and fascism in our great nation. If Obama tries to nationalize our health care system, I’ll be here to voice my dissent.

In short, I’ve been dissenting for almost 8 years; I can dissent for 4 more. Stay close to my blog gentle reader and I’ll teach you the art of peaceful, but effective, dissent.