Political campaign for President and lack of "civility." UPDATE Feb. 18

Many in the media have said that the 2012 Presidential election campaign was shaping up to be a clash between the 99% and the 1% or Class warfare. While that surely seems to resonate with many of us who write Blogs, I would offer a more sinister look into the 2012 campaign. It looks to me like it is a reenactment of the Civil War. I would suggest to you that the plain hatred for this President and the insistence that he be a "one term President" is racially motivated and the reason why Newt Gingrich won South Carolina and why Mitt Romney won New Hampshire. To me if you peel back this onion, the presidential race seems to be about reliving the "Civil War" in the political arena. Look at the arguments on both sides of the issues. If you frame them through the prism of "Civil Rights", you can easily make the leap to that argument. That is why the "Birther" conspiracy took hold for so long. Being "civil" means being courteous or polite. And the sad truth is that there is nothing "Civil" about this election campaign season.

It is going to get much worse I fear, before this election campaign is over. Notice the language of Newt when he talks about President Obama being the "Food Stamp" president. Yes, there are many on Food Stamps today, but not just minorities are getting them. Mostly white Americans receive them today. But the racial undertones are there and the dog whistle call to the far Right gets the applause lines from the far Right. For one brief moment yesterday the Congress was able to put this war behind them and join in a tribute to Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona in her struggle to survive a gunshot wound to the head last year. She has given up her Congressional seat so she can focus on her rehabilitation. That's smart. A small glimpse of sanity in an otherwise anger filled political season.

UPDATE Feb. 18th
Last night on the show Real Time with Bill Maher, Bill closed his New Rules segment commenting on the disrespect of President Obama, in an affront to the first Black President that seems to be based on racism. I totally agree with his views and want to say here I really valued his persistent reference to how this President has been disrespected from the very beginning of his Presidency, unlike the treatment of any other President in history. Thanks Bill!

Occupy Wall Street and other protests: A Thought to help you!

I am heartened by the Occupy Wall Street protesters who have endured terrible conditions to make their voices heard. Those of us couch potatoes in the 99%, who see you on the news or read about your bravery in the face of tear gas, police brutality and just the hardship of doing without the simple comforts of home like a bath or use of a toilet, admire you all and support your voices to be heard. We were called the Silent Majority once.

But as one who cares, I am concerned about the storm coming today and tomorrow and what certainly will be a difficult winter and want you to be safe from harm. I ask you to consider the fact that you could go home at night, if you are fortunate enough to have a home or warm place to sleep, as many don't these days. There is no shame in doing this. Come back fresh and rested each day and use that time to organize into small groups which explore possible demands you might have of the government and the 1%. Use the time to think about solutions that can right this wrong. But it does no good to get worn down and possibly sick where your voice can't be heard.

If you have some messages, I am willing to happily post them for you on my Blog. But take good care of yourselves. People in the helping profession know that they are unable to help others if they can't help themselves. So please consider going home in the evenings and take good care of yourselves. We are behind you in spirit and voice.