Then I voted for Gore in 2000, and Florida happened.
Then 9/11 happened, and in its aftermath my country rose not to the occasion, but to a new level of legalized and Christianized paranoia about how it treats, not terrorism, but its own citizens. The world has come no closer to eliminating the threat of terrorism. If anything, we are further. And in our arrogance, we have also revived the threat of nuclear NON-disarmament and re-proliferation. Way to go, America!
Then came March 2003. Nothing anybody saidÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂat home or around the world - could dissuade a lying administration from invading a smaller sovereign nation not at war with us. Thousands of young Americans have died, to say nothing of innocent Iraqis whose country is a shambles!
I was already ashamed to be an American, and November 2, 2004 made me ashamed to be an Ohioan. My state was one of 11 that passed a ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂMarriage AmendmentÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ to its state constitution. This heinous action makes 2nd-class citizens out of everyone in ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂnon-traditionalÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ relationshipsÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂfellow-citizens who only wish the legal benefits of marriage conferred by the government and NOT by any religion. It undermines their ability to reap the rewards of their labor, raise their families, and contribute to their communities. Why would any sane person or business want to locate in this state? Why would any bright young native Ohioan want to stay here?
And now, with apparently nothing better to do, our legislators tried to push on us the heinous FEDERAL Marriage Amendment! Hey, guys: what about the war, the national deficit, health care, the economy? Have your constituents told you they think their lives will be made better by making other peopleÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs lives more difficult? What happens to ALL of us when the Constitution doesn't protect ALL of us?
In 1935, Sinclair Lewis wrote, ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂWhen fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." The quotation is from "It CanÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂt Happen Here."
