Republicans and Democrats...

The blessed time of the political season when the desperate throws of a campaign that is behind in the polls who will do the cliche "whatever-it-takes" to sway voters - even if it means spreading falsehoods and preying upon the fear of narrow minded voters.

Cindy McCain's speech (with McCain and Palin right behind her) stating how Obama's no-vote on funding additional support to American soldiers sent a "cold chill" through her body. And, what amazed me the most, was that the hate-monger people in attendance immediately yell out "Liar!" and then go on to make comments about alleged ties to 60's era "terrorists" and love to name drop Obama's middle name: Hussein.

Cindy forgot to mention that her husband also voted no on a similar bill 2 months earlier. Wonder if she got that same chill...

Take a listen to the next sound bytes that come out of these speeches. It's not so much the obvious media abusing slander, but it's the air of genuine fear if Obama is elected president. I get this impression that these people attending Republican rallies like this are scared out of their minds about Obama as President.

Maybe I'm a little too closed off from this general hate of people (and maybe I should be thankful for it), but if McCain wins, it's not the end of the world for me nor is it that I wouldn't support him as our elected President. But these people at these rallies seem to want to secede from the union if Obama wins. I guess the "war of northern aggression" hasn't ended for some people even though it's been 140 years and seven generations ago.

I don't understand how someone who claims to be an American who can hate Americans so much. How none of us - save our native citizens - are ALIENS to this land. They don't call us the melting pot for nothing. But unless you're not from western European ancestry, then everyone else brings a sense of fear to a portion of our population.

My blog from Tuesday talked about a corporate focused nation or a people focused nation - it's the same for the two parties - in my opinion - Republicans are not people focused, but are big business focused. They keep the general public in the loop by supporting gun rights (because really, everyone should have the need for an automatic weapon) and anti-abortion stance which seems to be the big draw for conservative evangelical Christians.

In contrast - the Democrats seem to be much more people focused. Opening their doors to all different walks of life or belief structures. If a gay man wants to adopt a child with his partner - so what? If the child is loved, then what is the problem? If a woman wants to believe that cats are the reincarnation of Egyptian gods, then so what? It really has no bearing on the rest of us.

So I'm seeing a battle between the two real opponents in this election who are at the core of our modern America: tolerance v. intolerance. Progression v. "return to our traditional values". Hate v. acceptance.

Seems to me that morality in America really boils down to the golden rule: Do unto others as you'd have them do unto you. Pretty straight forward. If I show love and respect to others - even if I choose not to make their same life choices or take on their beliefs, that choice in itself, shows more about my character as a person and own individual strength of my core values than spending my lifetime shouting that they are wrong and have no right to their existence.

America is the place where you should not be prosecuted for your beliefs. For as angry that the Republican fellowship makes me with their marked intolerance of anyone other than themselves - they are still Americans and they have a right to say those god awful things and wallow in their own hypocrisy. I can still accept them and tolerate them even if I don't understand why they choose to behave this way.

But I guess the golden rule only applies when you get something back for your efforts or when its convenient to you.