Just Off Center

On my way in to work today I was thinking about how I was going to put up with the fucktards I work with who would no doubt be in my face over the Bush victory. While I do enjoy a hearty debate and I have proven on several occasions to concede when bested I simply can't picture myself not shoving a floor lamp down somebody's throat if confronted. Of course my coworkers are the types who will be all over me all day sending me emails, calling, and pointing and laughing. Somebody will be hurt today.

But few would deny that when faced with humility, the man worth his salt will stand, shoulders squared, and admit his defeat. He will shake the hands of his opponents and praise them for their efforts. He will accept that this is an opportunity for personal growth and acknowledgement that while his opinions are valuable, they do not hold popular sway. He is a strong and proud man who accepts defeat with grace and humility. I am not such a man.

Why has America decided that it wants four more years of Bush and his warmongering, fundamentalism, favoritism, and personal vendettas? The answer is space. Think about it. Look at the map, and you'll notice that all of the states that went to Bush are states that have more acreage per person. It is human nature and one of our base instincts to protect and defend that which is ours. We don't want unknown people in our houses or our cars. We will defend ourselves against a thief who might be taking something fully covered by insurance. We put up fences and are upset when our land is tread upon. In America, a land of capitalism, this instinct is encouraged by the success it yields and the fear instilled by the media.

Now in places like Chicago, Philly, NYC, LA, and Seattle, there is very little personal space for everyone. Even those of us lucky enough to own a home in the suburbs have less than a quarter acre of our own. We can hear and see our neighbors from our windows. And a great many more are divided by walls in apartments and condos. We work in cubicles and cram onto freeways. Many people who don't have to live in this environment would think that we would feel very cramped and invaded by everyday life. What they don't realize is that it has taught us how to live with one another. We may dislike each other. In fact we may despise one another, but we learn to cope and respect what little space each of us is afforded. And we don't consider a minor encroachment into our space to be a call to arms.

Now move out of the cities. Cast your mind onto a plot of land some fifty acres wide. You have a small home, a long fence, and a lot of space between you and the next non-relative. In fact every neighbor you have may or may not be related to you in some way. Your way of life is very different here. You have a strong bond to your family because of your reliance on them for your survival. You may have grown up on this land and it is precious to you. Chances are, you have never left your hometown for more than a few days. You probably own several guns, some for hunting, some just for having. You know enough to survive and maybe even thrive in your little segment of the world. You are probably not college educated. You were likely raised with strict religion. And all of your upbringing revolved around a single standpoint when related to your things: protect what is yours, protect what is your kin's.

And so this is what it comes to. Those who have been forced to cope with humanity shoulder to shoulder have learned that freedom and success come through understanding and compromise. Those who know have been raised to defend their perimeters understand that freedom and success come from force and a hard line. These people have every reason to believe they're right. Most people would suggest that both patterns of thought are justifiable and valid. I say these people are retarded and just plain fucking hateful. They are the America that the rest of the world hates and fears, though they see themselves as the heart of the nation. They are reactionary. And worst of all, they have won.

I could go on and on about the idiotic college kids rebelling against their Democrat parents. I would love to rip into all of the mindless, blank canvas wives who vote their husbands' wills. I could spend hours talking about the media whores I know who get all of their political opinions directly from Bush sound bites. But Instead I want to point out where all of this ignorance, hate and fear originate. I do this because it makes me feel big and smart. And that helps me feel superior to the pigs that reelected Bush. And as long as I'm superior, I can stave off the fear and anguish I feel for the next four years.