Are we a nation of sheep???

I know I live in a bubble of educated, liberal people here in the Seacoast of NH. And I remember traveling to Keokuk, Iowa in 1992 and realizing just how differently people think in "the heartland" of this country. That said, the polls tonight showing McCain and Obama neck and neck make be sick to my stomach.

How is it that the McC/P. campaign has pre-empted the message of change? How is it that they are now the more "experienced" ticket? How is it they are drawing crowds of thousands? How is it possible that the people out of work, losing their homes, and unable to pay for health care could turn to the Republican party, the folks who believe in Social Darwinism, small government and lack of regulation???

And how can the Republicans themselves pretend that they believe in a free market society while they jump in to "save" Bear Stearns, Freddie and Fannie et al. at taxpayers' expense??? (I do understand that it may be necessary to "save" these institutions so as to continue to help people buy homes and get mortgages, but the question is still out there as to how these corporations were allowed to get so big and be so unregulated).

And just what is a "hockey mom?" Someone who drives her kid to hockey and goes to watch his/her games, right? I did that in my past. (Field hockey, that is). Does that qualify me to be Vice President?? Does being a prisoner of war qualify a person to be President? Last time around, they elected the candidate they'd rather have a beer with. This time, it's the candidate they will want to go out into the duck blind with. Give me a BREAK! Let's hope she's a better shot than Dick Cheney.....

There's no question in my mind that those of us who can't stomach the idea of 4 more years of the Bush/Cheney expansion of presidential power had better get out and work our tails off for Obama/Biden. Talk to your friends, talk to your acquaintances, talk to your nearest and dearest. We need everyone to counteract the media juggernaut which is bound and determined to choose the winner for us. That will be baaaaa-d.