Putting Country First, Really

I'm amused with the McCain-Palin motto "Country first". For any other candidate, for any other era, for any other time when we haven't witnessed or been affected by the failed policies of one of the worst administrations ever, that motto would have stuck.

Unfortunately, the actions of some of his supporters and policy advisors seem to scream out loud, "Country first! Don't you DARE question the red-white and blue, get out you foreigners, and accept Jesus because if you don't you can be DAMN sure you'll never get a seat in any office"

It sounds like "Country first" Even if you're a soldier or sargeant in the army whose wife is forced to use food stamps to feed herself and her children while you are deployed for extended times for a war that isn't all that legit"

"Country first," even if you are a working mom who gets no respect and no paid leave when your kids are sick, and your wages are going to pay for daycare just so you can barely afford the roof over you head, and your husband's wages are covering car payments, groceries and the bills.

"Country first," even if that means your supporting an administration that doesn't care to see 20 million children extended under a health care system.

"Country first," even if that means you as a woman never see your wages equal that of a mans, even when you do the same work and are equally qualified.


What does it mean to put country first?

I'm looking at the rabid supporters at the McCain rallies, and wondering, which country they are really putting first? Why is the Obama campaign, which is one of the most inclusive, hopeful, and forward-thinking campaigns I've seen, viewed as being "anti-american"?

What is so American about treating education like a joke, heck even a stain on one's background?

What's so American about supporting candidates that support corporations that don't support you?

Does it make you a better American to denegrate Arabs in public?


This isn't the country my parents immigrated to back in 1987, and it's hardly the same country I recognize from my hopeful childhood.

I apologize to any reader for any lapses in grammer or disconnection between ideas. I am, like you, just a really tired, overworked, underpaid, disappointed American who can't figure out what's going on.