The South Will Rise Again

I was born in Texas and have lived here my whole life. I live in a Red State and vote as an Independent, which means in my case, I vote for whomever I think is the best candidate whether he be Republican or Democrat. While my voting record trends towards the Democrats, I have and will continue to vote for Republicans when they represent the best candidate. In Texas, a lot of the time that means they're running against a Libertarian, but I've voted for their candidates, too, on occasion. On principal, I won't waste my vote by voting for someone who is unopposed. If the other side can't generate a candidate, they don't really need my vote to get into office.

I mention all this because, too many times, Red States and Texas in particular, are portrayed as speaking with one voice and that voice can be an embarrassment to those of us who don't fit into the political mainstream that surrounds us. In recent news, Red Staters in Ohio have been caught on tape and shown to be some downright scary people. Don't believe me? Take a look at this:



It makes me ashamed to be from a Red State and to know that there are still folks like this out there. Let me just be as clear as I know how to be:

THESE PEOPLE DO NOT SPEAK FOR ME.

They do not represent everyone in a Red State any more than I do. It's this kind of people, whom McCain calls his "base", that make the US seem like a monster to so many around the world. It's because of people like these that I wish Texas was NOT winner-take-all state. That a vote for Barack Obama here in Texas (he will most likely take Travis county) would send him a portion of our 34 Electoral College votes. What better way to show to the rest of the country and the world that not everyone in Texas likes Bush and his Rethuglians?

Alas, this will not happen. But I can dream of a day when Texas is purple and hopefully, one day Blue.

corrections made 10/24. Videotape is of Ohio which is clearly not a Southern state but was, until recent polls, definitely Red