Two things:
1) The German (my mom) isn't interested in politics. After living through Hitler, who can blame her?
2) The German rarely calls me. She will call, but only in an emergency, which has been maybe three times in over 28 years. I call her once a week, we have a lovely conversation, and it is enough.
Knowing The German's insider information makes these two items striking:
ITEM #1) When Barry went to Berlin while campaigning, The German called me. Truthfully, when I saw her number on caller ID, it scared the crap out of me. Hope no one died. She was angry as hell when I answered. "Did you see, Obama?" she demanded to know. "Yes, I saw." She went on, "It gave me chills. Like Hitler when he first came into power. Sickening. The adoring crowds. The mindless following. This man scares me."
I told her she wasn't alone, that he scared lots of folks. Before she ended the call, she asked if I thought he would win. "I pray not. If he does, we're in big trouble as a nation."
No truer words were ever spoken between us, and I will never, for as long as I live, forget that phone call.
ITEM #2) The German likes Palin. Did I find out during one of my weekly check-ins? Nope. The German called on Saturday evening while she was watching Palin's live speech coverage on Fox. I saw her number and felt weak in the knees. When I answered she asked, "Do you like her? I like her." We talked briefly, then she cut me off. She had to get back to Palin. Didn't want to miss it.
I think The German is like so many Americans (she is naturalized); She is fed up with Barry and has decided to raise her voice in opposition. She is thrilled to see an openly fierce and unapologetic opponent like Palin hit the national stage. She is ready for real change and is hoping the next election cycle will bring it.
This morning when I called her, she said she tried to watch The View but turned it off because the panel was tearing Palin a new one. She said she's watched the show for some time. She watched through the years of them killing Bush. She watched after Barry's election. But as they torn into Palin she had reached her limit of political hypocrisy.
And really, that's the story here. The German is not unlike countless other Americans who are typically bored by politics. The arena of policymakers doesn't interest them in the least. Until now. Now that the stakes are high, now that freedom is on the line (not hyperbole, just ask The German), even folks like The German are waking up to the horror of this administration and wondering what they can do to stop the pain train.
For those who demean Tea Party folks as radicals or right-wing extremists, demean newcomers to politics as naive or mucking up the process, demean any voice other than their own as inconsequential or dimwitted, I say prepare yourself for the tsunami of push-back politics from Middle America.
Across the board, Americans have drawn their line in the sand. 75% of Americans are angry at government. 75% people. That's incredible. Do you know how many of those in that number wish they didn't have to get involved but now that they are they are in it to win it? That they have been pushed too far?
I know of one. The German. And from my experience, you don't want to mess with her. Poor Barry.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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3 comments:
I am not surprised at all that 75% of people are mad at the government. It's that 25% who are burying their heads in the sand that worry me.
I hate Palin and wish she'd go away. No, it's not because she's a woman, and no, it's not the accent. She is simply not competent for her ultimate desire, which is clearly the presidency. She sounds like she makes facts up on the fly, and darn tootin' if she just doesn't speak in vagaries about every subject she broaches.
What scares me is that the true conservative movement in the country is being corrupted by such characters are Palin and Tancredo, and the message will eventually get lost amongst the innane chatter from these fools.
yoyo: i think there will always be a percentage that is neutral/apathetic, but 75% pissed is phenomenal.
lt. dan: palin makes a good sound bite, that's for sure. i guess the point i was trying to make was that a relatively apolitical member of our country (the german) has taken an interest. she feels she has no other choice than to engage...and it's pissing her off that that elected folks aren't doing their job when she's expected to do hers. THAT will be the force to contend with!
you are right about the conservative movement being in danger of a hijack by politicians, but i gotta say i have much more faith in folks now. true conservatives won't stand for political double talk or actions. these folks are demanding more. they want truth backed up by action, and i believe they make up the majority.
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