A comforting lie

Because there were too many pictures in the last post...

I've been thinking about this whole "Real America" bit that Republicans love to throw around. Well, here is my response after living in "Real America" for a couple of months now: If this is "Real America", then I had been living in the "Real World"!

Obviously I don't think this isn't the real world and obviously my views are skewed by the fact that this is not home and I can leave any time with other opportunities for me (oh, wait, how long did it take me to get this volunteer job??). My point is that it is no more real America out here (rural, small town) than in Chicago (or other big cities). People struggle everywhere, people join in group think no matter where they are. [And, I like the play on these pop culture references with a nod to MTV's "Real World". Yes, Palin is pop culture to me, nothing more].

I've been reading the news more and listening to NPR, seeing all the crap that is going on in the world. What are we to do? Does one political party have it right? Obviously not when things haven't "changed" all that much since that amazing day in November 2008. Not saying I wouldn't have voted for Obama, I'm still so happy he's there and not McCain (I wouldn't be in this country now if he were). It's just hard to imagine this country ever being UNITED as we so claim with our loud and proud name.

I liked my Dad's comment while watching "The Story of Us" on the history channel: "I don't think I like Lincoln anymore, he should have just left the south do their own thing. We wouldn't be dealing with them today". Of course, the war was more than that and I'm glad the north won and slavery is abolished (that legal form anyway). It's just sometimes I think this country is too big. Does that mean I'm for smaller government? Not really (because it sounds so Republican, hehe), I just think it should be more localized. But where would the money come from? We need a just distribution of funds.

I'm for taxes, I'm for letting the Bush tax cuts expire, I'm for government programs. I love John Stewert's quote about people at his rally thinking "I don't love taxes, but I like having sewers". Yes, there are problems with government programs which is why things should be localized. If you aren't for government programs, are you going to donate your extra money to causes you would support or volunteer your time? I had a friend once say to me she's not for government programs because she believes it's the church's responsibility. Well, where is the church? What are we doing?

Then, there's health care reform. A friend (apparently you have to be careful about what you say around me...) posed a question about universal health care: "Do you really want the same people that run the US Postal Service running your health care?" Um, good point. I do want health care for everyone, I think we have a broken system and it pains me.

So, Tina and I are going to start a commune... who's with us?? Oh, we're going to be a little socialist, just FYI. Man, I wish that would solve everything and that socialism really worked (it seems like such a good idea).