One More Opinion

Fed-Up With Republicans?

I went hiking with my best friend on Monday. We grew up around the corner from each other, but although my parents were life-long Democrats his were life-long Republicans, even though my friend did not share his parent's political beliefs. My friend told me his father was "fed-up" with Bush and the Republicans over Social Security and Iraq.

We're talking about a man who voted Republican all his life – until now. After venting he started listening to his son, and by the time my friend was through he said; "That settles it. I'm voting Democratic in November." My friend says this means he's not going to vote for ANY Republican on the ticket.

NPR has been running many stories about the national political races, and they keep interviewing people who are so angry with Bush and the Republicans they are either changing their vote or withholding it from Republican candidates. The poll numbers keep getting worse and I've heard some Republicans have simply given up on some races.

Add the disaster that is Iraq, the Foley scandal, the lobbying scandal, and concern over the so-called "Detainee Act" – and you have a country finally opening its eyes. All the bad stuff done under Bush is coming back to haunt them, (and us,) and the anemic press can no longer simply be stenographers for the Bush Administration. Mr. And Mrs. Main Street are finally starting to hear about the innocent people that our military and KBR tortured to death, and (rightly so) they're beginning to say; "Hey! That's not the American way!"

Those of us who have been watching this stuff for the past six years are finally starting to breathe a sigh of relief – grateful our fellow Americans are finally waking up. We hesitate to tell them everything for fear of overwhelming the poor dears, even though the frustrated part of us wants to slam them with the dozens of dirty deeds done by Cheney and Rummy in Bush's name.

I want to tell them to go back 26 years and stop looking at Ronald Reagan with rose-colored glasses, but I know not to expect too much at once. It will be hard enough on them finding out all the stuff done in their names (with their votes) within the past six years.

But I feel like I'm starting to see light at the end of this dark tunnel we've been in for the past six years. I'm actually feeling hopeful. I'm even imagining Bush Administration members in orange jump suits. What is the penalty for attempting to undermine our Constitution? Does that fall under the definition of Treason? They shoot people for that, don't they?

Dream big they always say.

But I have some hope today that I did not have before.