I'm scared to death too -- of idiots like these Palin supporters having another four years to run our country into a rathole, on top of the eight horrific years we just survived.

Why do so many still confuse DEMOCRACY with CAPITALISM? They are not synonymous. The current administration has been pulling the wool over your eyes -- they defend "capitalism" in the name of "democracy," while whittling away at and threatening the very fabric of the latter. Get out a dictionary or encyclopedia to educate yourselves on the difference between these two concepts --- or would reading a dictionary or encyclopedia, educating yourselves, be too "elitist?!"

Words seem to have no meaning for Rebecca Traister. If 10,000 people showing up for Sarah Palin is a "monster" rally, what words does she have to describe the crowds of 25,000 to 100,000 that show up to hear Barack Obama?

Moreover, to put this in perhaps better perspective, do the 9,000 to 10,000 people who have turned out to hear Michelle Obama qualify as constituting "monster" rallies?

And what of poor John McCain, who has had to bus in thousands of primary and secondary school students to make his rallies seem far larger "voter" draws than they really are? It's been all smoke-and-mirrors with the Republicans -- again -- this year.

Don't be a loon

This is reality

Not some kinda

tom reed cartoon

Yeah. I spent time there too. Lillie Belle Allen ring a bell? Updike knows this part of the world better than anyone and in Rabbit Redux the Klan burned down Rabbit's house because a black guy and a white woman had moved in.

One KKK branch if fucking based in Sharpsburg Maryland, just across the border from Gettysburg and had rally in Gettysburg in 2006 and another scheduled (but cancelled) this year.

Oh my gosh ! These poor childish folks have been so utterly brainwashed by the republican fear and hate machine that there's little hope for them to see Barack Obama other than Vladimir Lenin's boogey-man who is out to destroy their lives such as they are.

When FDR said that we have nothing to fear but fear itself he was referring to folks like these and the millions like them all across this land who, in their childish ignorance and acceptance of religious dogma are inundated with fear. They are blind to the truth of what has been happening these past 8 years as they have bought into the republcan playbook hook, line and sinker. Listening to the young people is especially sad as they are the future, but like their parents, they are trapped in the mentality of the 1950's when women were still very much second class citizens and black people were still being lynched through out the south. Obama might very well win on Tuesday, but with these folks worshipping the likes of Sarah Palin, the democrats have their work cut out for them. Combating ignorance, hate and fear is a never ending challenge. If indeed, these people really believe Obama is out to destroy their way of life, what can anyone do to alter this belief? As we all know, one's belief system is so difficult to change and most folks would rather remain in ignorance than open their eyes to the truth. Sadly these are the very same people who thought George W. Bush really cared about them because he is a born again Christian. Having said all of this I am reminded of a bumper sticker on one of my nephew's cars which reads: "Never mind being born again. Why don't you just grow up !" Need I say more?

That would be some central Pennsylvanians. I've been there, and Obama correctly described some of them, yet was criticized for speaking the truth. Congressman Murtha said western Pennsylvania was racist, and he was right, too, and yet was likewise criticized. However, there are many Pennsylvanians who are intelligent enough to see McCain-Palin for the fear mongerers they are and the Obama-Biden ticket for the reasonable and intelligent duo they are, too. There are many Keystoners who aren't racist. And of course, many will vote in their self-interest for the team whose tax plan will benefit them more. One of the men quoted is correct: sometimes God lets people stumble and fall. He certainly did so in 2000 and 2004.

hicksville.

the core of the republican party has a gun in one hand, bible in the other, and the world-view of a medieval serf.

at the other end of the republican party are the medieval aristocrats, born to rule, blindly arrogant, and certain of one thing: what's theirs is theirs, what's not theirs will be as soon as god whips the commonists back into their hovels.

it's possible to feel sorry for someone who isn't rich, hasn't a hope of being rich, but gets angry if you suggest they might be better off if obama really was a socialist. because their anger comes from shame, at being losers.

but we all have to live with the real world, even if by building fantasies about democrat 'socialism.' eight years of obama might restore widespread prosperity to america,and establish the democrats as the natural rulers. then some of the yokels might start voting democrat, particularly young people.

but probably not. obama may be unable to restore what republican, and democrat, politicians have been destroying for many years. the yokels will blame him, the repubs will get in, the slide into national poverty will continue.

america needs democracy, to get long-term policy and make obsolete the corruption and incompetence of party politics. america won't get it- the yokels are too ignorant, the elite are happy to bleed the country for their personal benefit, and the half-dozen people like mike gravel who see what needs to be done may as well be silent, for in the country of the blindly self-satisfied, talk about the emperor's new clothes is just ignored.

wonderful post and so to the point. i'm still laughing here. ok i'll hold it until after the elections. and the post-electional legal battles. sigh.