Hope? Seriously?

For the most part, I ignore the Presidential debates and so forth. I do not know what their slogans are. I will say, however, that on my drive home I saw a bumper sticker that I certainly hope is NOT an actual slogan proposed by either campaign.

It is important to set the scene. The vehicle this bumper sticker was on was rather spendy. It was a late model...2008 or 2009 at the earliest...Cadillac that just smacked of elitist arrogance from the way the guy drove to the little add-ons the rig had.

And in the back window was the bumper sticker "Hope" and a candidates name. Yes, I know which candidate. No, I won't mention his name here because I sincerely hope that unbelievably, stupidly offensive slogan is not part of his campaign. Though I reserve the right to change my mind.

What an unbelievably arrogant, offensive thing. Hope for what? Are we as a nation so desperate that we have reached a point where we are without hope? Seriously?

As anyone who has read this particular author knows, I have lots of issues with how this country currently acts. We murder babies and call it "choice", we celebrate immorality, taxes are high, the education system weak, we push politics as science and ignore facts, the disastrous welfare system is broken and full of abuses even where it accomplishes good things, the immigration issues are divisive and good people are doing bad things over it, and we have soldiers outside our borders. These are not all the issues but they are certainly some of the huge ones.

As an aside, I have had lots of people ask me why I will vote for neither Obama nor McCain: I will say right here, right now that I have certain of my own "litmus tests" I apply; even if I believe one candidate has superior economic incentives, if his stances on morality are in ways and places I find offensive, I will vote for his opponent if his opponent has a stand I agree with on morality, even if I find his economic package to be disastrous. Yes, murder is one of those and neither candidate passed that one. that alone is enough to vote for someone else.

Be the above as it may, the basic truth still exists. We still live in a great country from the standpoint of personal freedoms. I can work whatever job I choose that my skills allow, I can hold debates with people whose opinions diametrically oppose mine, I can be part of the process to get laws changed, I have access to information to refute the falsehoods taught in schools or to reinforce the portions they teach correctly, and so forth.

Unlike much of the world, when we get divorced (a bad thing) we can find our own residences (a good thing). Sound like a stupid argument? Yesterday there was a news item about a couple in Cambodia who divorced. They could not afford to not live together so dude cut his house in half and moved his half away.

This is not an isolated incident. It is commonplace to live in the same house after divorcing in Russia. I once wrote about a couple living that way where the ex-wife set the ex-husband on fire as he slept in a drunken stupor. Way to go! Hilarious at the time, but indicative of major housing issues.

And that does not even look at deeper issues faced by most of Africa, by issues faced in Cuba, the Middle East, South America, France, Asia....

We live in a country where it is not just possible but probable that a person can be born in a hole-filled shack and, by applying themselves, retire early with a good-sized bank account thanks to our education system; it may be flawed but it is still very effective.

We live in a country where the homeless are more often than not that way by choice. We have programs in place to help these people; not all of them want help. Those that do usually find it.

We live in a country where "illegal immigrants" can publicly gather and protest being punished for their crimes. We live in a country where people can work to help said illegal immigrants.

Where else are these things true? Are you aware that if you are not a Mexican citizen you cannot own land in Mexico, cannot vote there even if you are "naturalized" (at least, according to their Constitution) and can be jailed for criticizing the government?

We live in a flawed country, sure. But a country that is not exactly to a point of desperation where we need "hope". And particularly, those of us (and I am not one of them) with enough money to be driving around a gas-guzzling luxury sled wearing cashmere sweaters are definitely NOT in need of hope.

I have to admit, I found that concept so flawed, so foul, and so offensive that it has moved me closer to his opponent. Oh, not close enough to actually VOTE for his opponent...but it is getting there. Hope indeed. Well, okay, here is some hope for you; I hope this country is smart enough not to elect him.