I have done my best not to gloat about the ass-kicking that the enlightened American public has dished out upon the greedy, corrupt and perverted yes-men that make up a large contingent of the Republican Party.  Democrats have been gracious in offering bi-partisan outreaches in the hopes of moving this country forward and it seems to be an unreciprocated gesture.  The Neo-Cons are bitter and shocked that their schemes of deception have been unveiled.  Their desperate and pathetic spin on last Tuesday’s election results are indicative of the very reasons they were thrown out of office.  Some are claiming the reason they lost is because they were not conservative enough with regards to fiscal, social or ethical considerations.  The loss was all about the war in Iraq or had nothing to do with the war in Iraq.  They were not aggressive enough with negative ads or they were too aggressive.  Their umbrella was too big or their umbrella was not big enough.  The inability of conservatives to agree on the reason they lost the election is exactly why they lost so decisively.  They didn’t know what they were doing, where they were going or how to hide their true allegiances.

            Suffice to say that when your entire platform is based on lies, corruption, exclusion and ineptitude you will soon discover that the American public is not as stupid as you would believe.  The smug and superior character that is the underlying motivation for association with Bush and Roves Republican ideology has run its course.  The primary objective of the GOP has been wealth accumulation for their richest supporters and the corporations that benefit from their policies.  After six years of chasing acceptance and dollars from the financially gifted the GOP has finally lost its ability to disguise its true mission and ambitions.  Middle Class Neo-Cons are reminiscent of teeny bopper groupies that throw themselves at and worship rock stars in their pitiable desire to grab crumbs from under the table of the super rich.

            There are obviously many respectable reasons middle class people would support a conservative agenda but the current core of the GOP is so far removed from those values that the baggage of the party was too heavy to carry for many GOP benefactors.  So much of what is appealing to the Neo-Cons who are disgruntled with the results of this election is appalling to any who ascribe human dignity as a personal quality worth cultivating.  It all seems so hypocritical that the party that claims to be the party of faith and family values is so far from anything resembling virtuous.

            It was timely and appropriate that my daily bible read lead me to this passage from the second chapter of James on Wednesday morning:  “(5) Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? (6) But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? (7) Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?”  I kind of figure that unless conservatives divorce themselves from Carl Rove and his Neo-Con agenda they may as well get used to voting Democrat.  At least Democrats are going to support and implement policies that will help you meet your daily obligations and achieve your future goals.  Sorry to tell you but you maybe had a better chance of winning the lottery than working your way into the inner circle that is the true heart of the Republican Party; the wealthiest of the wealthy.

           

Sean Hannity was ranting yesterday that he is going to intensify his fight against the evils of liberalism.  He is a funny little man.  Good luck Sean.

 

            Last night, much of the angst and frustration that typically makes up the grist of my postings was hard to come by.  “She Who Must Be Obeyed” (SWMBO) and I attended a benefit concert for the Iowa Legal Aid Society.  The concert was hosted by the Campbell Steele Gallery in Marion, Iowa and featured Janelle Lauer and her band.  Janelle’s music precipitated the sense of peace that had already begun to encroach upon my soul with Tuesday’s spectacular election results.  I don’t mean that the show was one of soothing ballads.   Quite the contrary!  The song list of the evening was an eclectic mixture of blues, soul and rock with a few gospel songs thrown in for good measure.  Particularly soothing was the fact that for nearly two hours I was completely absorbed in Janelle’s performance.  Nothing from the outside world could penetrate my sense of being swept away by her profound talent.  There are not many times in our daily lives where we consciously recognize that there is no place else that we would rather be, nothing else that we would rather doing at a particular moment.  As I sat with SWMBO and our friends listening to Janelle and her band I had such an experience. 

            Janelle has a website with links to some samples of her work.  The girl can flat out sing and for two hours this evening so much of what I write about in this space seemed to be a million miles away.  It is good to get away from your routine from time to time.  Happy Friday!

 

            After the show we retired to a local watering hole for some refreshments and someone asked me what my blog was about.  I explained that; predominantly, it is a liberal patriotism blog.  I was quick to pick up on raised eyebrows in response to that description and attempted to diffuse the situation while holding my ground.  “I just have this affection for my civil liberties.  My blog is an outlet for my frustration that they are slipping away.” I said.  I had misread the raised eyebrows because the guy I was talking to lit up and told me he would check out the blog at his first opportunity.  Drummers always seem to be cool guys.  Happy Friday!

 

            It was an Indian summer day in the Heartland which granted me yet another opportunity to ride my Harley to work.  Every time I get to ride my scoot in November I feel like I am stealing. The sun was shining brightly on my face as the sun lazily made its climb from the pink horizon in the east.  I gently twisted my throttle and began to slalom back and forth across my lane as I eased my Hog up to speed on the highway near our home.  “Zip-i-dee-doo-dah, zip-i-dee-day my oh my and you know the rest.  I had only gotten three hours of sleep the night before as I was not able to unglue my eyes from the election results, the commentary and speculation as to what the results of our votes might mean.  There were numerous attempts at face saving as pundit after pundit attempted to convince us that the message that was sent by American voters was not a victory for the Democrats but rather a victory for the real conservative agenda that seemed to have been lost by those who were unseated.  Whatever.

            Now the Democrats that I supported have more power than I ever imagined possible and I am anxious to see what they will do with their new found influence.  I will be drafting letters to all of the Democratic Representatives from my state and our Democratic Senator, Tom Harkin, to express my expectations of their new found authority in majority leadership.  I think my letter will go something like this:         

 

Dear Congressman __________________,

 

Congratulations on your recent promotion to a majority position in the United States Congress.  My family and I contributed time and financial resources in the recent campaign season with the hope that we would facilitate positive change in the way our government goes about its business in the coming years.  Our efforts have been rewarded by the sweeping change that was evidenced in the strong showing of Democratic candidates from coast to coast.  We have put our faith in you to begin work that will be commensurate with our hopes and prayers for an America that is a beacon of civil rights, fairness and compassion.  We desire an America that is respected around the globe for our commitment to quality education, environmental protection and economic opportunities for all.  We expect to live in a land that is safe for our children and attentive to our elderly.  Those hopes and prayers will be answered if you will remain steadfast in meeting the challenges ahead of us by focusing on solutions not accolades, leadership not retribution, and cooperation not allegations. 

            It would all seem such a waste if we squander the opportunity at hand by using this precious time to hold hearing after hearing into the perceived wrongs by the previous leaders of congress.  The people have spoken and punishment has been dispensed in the removal from power those culpable in leading our country away from the will of the electorate.  I think back to the Clinton administration and how painful it was to witness so much energy being spent vindictively when there were higher priorities that needed tending.  My challenge to you, in repayment for my support, is that you will move quickly and decisively on matters of fair wages, civil liberties, real homeland security, affordable healthcare, quality education and environmental protection.  America has high expectations for this fresh start on a new direction for this proud nation.  We are counting on you to lead us back to greatness and we would not have sent you to Washington if we did not have confidence that you were up for the task.  Good luck and congratulations.  Our hearts are with you and our eyes are upon you.

           

 

Sincerely,

Christopher David Peter Wilcox

 

            Or something like that anyway.  I wonder if the Clinton haters of the world will continue to disparage his legacy if our newly elected House and Senate aspire to the higher calling of governing and leave retribution of indicted and yet uncharged Republicans to the judicial system and higher powers.  Probably not.  That is still no reason to not seek a more cooperative spirit on Capital Hill.  The idea that the message sent by voters being a victory for the real conservative agenda is laughably implausible but the notion that it was less about Democratic idealism than a rejection of bipartisan ineffectiveness and a desire to see results in changing the course of our legislature may not be without merit.  What do you think?     

 

My bad... The 10,000th visitor party scheduled for Saturday night has been postponed.  A Red Hog should check his families schedules before making plans.  So it goes.

 

Wow, today is the day.  Here we go, today is Election Day.  The Red Hog hopes you have voted already.  If you haven’t voted yet please make time to do it on your lunch hour or on your way home from work.   Polls are open until 9:00 in most areas.  Be sure to check for the hours specific to your precinct.  And for God’s sake, don’t go and pull an Ann Coulter and vote in the wrong precinct.  She is so smart.  One of my favorite things to do on election day is to seek out whichever friend of mine is most passionate about voting contradictory to my political leanings, showing them my little “I voted” sticker and reminding them that I cancelled out their vote.  Scott, this year my vote is for you! 

            I have to say that regardless of how this election turns out it has been fun bantering with those opposed to my enlightened political views.  Much is at stake in this election and I truly believe that we are experiencing a time where there are two views of what America stands for, what it should stand for and the best way to achieve those ends.  If the negative ads of this campaign have done nothing else it is my hope that they have provoked a weariness to bi-partisanship amongst regular folks and we can begin to redefine some common ground and work to resolve our differences and seek a more united America. 

            Bill Clinton’s 1999 State of the Union Address began: “For 209 years, it has been the president's duty to report to you on the state of the union. Because of the hard work and high purpose of the American people, these are good times for America. We have more than 14 million new jobs, the lowest unemployment in 24 years, the lowest core inflation in 30 years. Incomes are rising, and we have the highest home ownership in history. Crime has dropped for a record five years in a row, and the welfare rolls are at their lowest levels in 27 years. Our leadership in the world is unrivaled. Ladies and gentlemen, the state of our union is strong.”

            President Clinton’s address went on to say, “But with barely 700 days left in the 20th century, this is not a time to rest. It is a time to build -- to build the America within reach. An America where everybody has a chance to get ahead with hard work, where every citizen can live in a safe community, where families are strong, schools are good and all our young people can go on to college.  An America where scientists find cures for diseases from diabetes to Alzheimer's to AIDS. An America where every child can stretch a hand across a keyboard and reach every book ever written, every painting ever painted, every symphony ever composed.

Where government provides opportunity and citizens honor the responsibility to give something back to their communities. An American which leads the world to new heights of peace and prosperity. This is the America we have begun to build. This is the America we can leave to our children, if we join together to finish the work at hand. Let us strengthen our nation for the 21st century.”

            Those were some wonderful words and I do not believe that Republicans or Democrats could find fault with those comments.  1999 was a time of prosperity, peace and hope.  We could return to those days and hopefully tomorrow we will get back on track to achieve those dreams.  Regardless of the outcome of this election I believe it is time for all of us to strive to set aside our differences and work together for the benefit of all Americans.  Bill Clinton: “Rarely have Americans lived through so much change in so many ways in so short a time. Quietly, but with gathering force, the ground has shifted beneath our feet, as we have moved into an information age, a global economy, a truly new world. For five years now we have met the challenge of these changes as Americans have at every turning point in our history, by renewing the very idea of America. Widening the circle of opportunity.  Deepening the meaning of our freedom. Forging a more perfect union. We shaped a new kind of government for the Information Age.  We have moved past the sterile debate between those who say government is the enemy and those who say government is the answer. My fellow Americans, we have found a third way. We have the smallest government in 35 years, but a more progressive one. We have a smaller government, but a stronger nation.”   Those were the days my friends.  We thought they’d never end.  Those days don’t have to be over.  Go vote!  It’s important!

What do you think?

 

            My eighteen year old twins went out canvassing for Democrat candidate David Loebsack all weekend.  They spent two full days going door to door in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids campaigning for the challenger who is running against 30 year incumbent Jim Leach.  I was proud of them for their willingness to work so hard for a candidate that they believe in.  They came across the opportunity when our neighbor, our precinct captain, called to ask if we would be willing to help in the days leading up to this Tuesday’s election.  I signed up for a six hour shift at our polling place on Election Day and will have to be on my best non-partisan behavior.  I can do that.  It’s only six hours right? 

            I found it hard to imagine that my community was having trouble finding people willing to work at the polls.  This election seems so huge to me.  The fact remains, as attested to by my kids from their experience of going door to door, that many people do not plan to vote.  It seems every election since I have been of voting age has being the “biggest” election ever but I can honestly not recall a more important election than this one.  The shrinking middle class, possible Supreme Court appointments, the loss of civil liberties and the war in Iraq are all at stake.  The minimum wage, comprehensive immigration reform, funding for scientific research, worker safety and the environment are issues that have been ignored or damaged by the Republicans in the last couple of years and we have a chance to ensure that a change will have positive results in the way business is done in Washington.

            Election Day is Tuesday by the way.  Not Monday.  Republican activists in Florida have been putting up signs in predominantly black neighborhoods that urge voters to remember to vote on Monday, November 6^th.  That is sleazy and it is alarming that it is not surprising to hear of such tactics being employed by conservatives who are desperate to hold on to power. 

            My daughter was debating with a conservative friend about the virtues of power and money.  Courtney has hopes of attending Northwestern University next fall to study political science and international relations as a means to landing a government service job upon graduation.  When asked why; my daughter explained to her friend that she saw government service as the best means to gaining power to effect positive change in the world.  Her conservative friend scoffed at the idea suggesting that there is no value to power without money.  Her friend’s comments pretty much summed up much of what is wrong with the world as I see it.  So many people value money over all else.  The blind pursuit of wealth accumulation ahead of compassion, integrity and servitude is path of diminishing returns of the truly rewarding things in life.  The expression, “No man ever wished upon his death bed that he had spent more time at the office” seems appropriate to this line of thought.

 

            Hey watch that clicker on the top right side of the Red Hog Diary.  Once it hits 10,000 visits we are going to have a party.  The site has been averaging over 90 hits a day and I am projecting that we will cross the 10,000 visit milestone on Saturday November, 11^th.  I am thinking a celebration is in order.  If you can possibly arrange it; please join me at the Irish Democrat 3207 First Ave. in Cedar Rapids at 7:00 pm this Saturday.  I’d love to see you there!

 

            With the news of Sadham Hussein’s impending dangling by the neck until dead the major news outlets were all recapping his life as if we have achieved some kind of victory in Iraq.  The people of Iraq are no doubt relieved to have this additional confirmation that Sadham will never again terrorize them but his execution has little to do with our unaccomplished mission of nation building.  The culmination of Hussein’s trial, while a significant milestone, means little in consideration of the current turmoil in that civil war torn nation.  Whether or not the people will be better off without Sadham Hussein remains yet to be seen and that is the tragedy of the failed policies of the Bush Administration. 

            Currently, the level of violence inflicted upon the people of Iraq has risen exponentially since our invasion.  The real people of Iraq, the parents and workers, the students and retirees who lived in the modern cities of that land; that were able to stay under the radar of Sunni oppression, can hardly escape the violence that exists there today.  Such may be the price they must pay to achieve a lasting peace but the world has seen nothing yet to suggest that is a likely possibility.  Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki called for an end to sectarian violence as did Saddam Hussein through his lawyer, Khalil al-Dulaimi.  "His message to the Iraqi people was 'pardon and do not take revenge on the invading nations and their people,'" al-Dulaimi said. "The president also asked his countrymen to 'unify in the face of sectarian strife.'"  If the people of Iraq will listen then there is hope for the people of Iraq.

           

            The party of family values has once again allowed a peek under their cloak of deception.  The Reverend Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, where he held sway in Washington and condemned homosexuality has been stripped of his position and congregation in light of sexual indiscretions and drug use.  Haggard, who had been president of the evangelical association since 2003, has participated in conference calls with White House staffers and lobbied Congress last year on Supreme Court nominees.  Haggard's situation is a disappointment to Christian conservatives, whom President Bush and other Republicans were counting on to get out the vote for Tuesday’s election.  Many were already disheartened with the president and the Republican-controlled Congress over their failure to deliver big gains on social issues even before the congressional page scandal involving former Rep. Mark Foley.

            The expression, “methinks thee protests too much” (sic) has never been more applicable than in the case of people who oppose equal civil rights for Gays in America.  It has long been speculated that the root cause of homophobia is one’s distrust of their own sexual preferences.  I am always skeptical of those who rant and protest against Gays receiving the basic rights that all other Americans enjoy.  If they would just come out of the closet the whole world would be better off!  What do you think?