President Reagan (1981-1989) - Was in the military during the middle of his term. First major pay increases to the military ever and consistent pay raises and cost-of-living increases while he was in office.
President Bush I (1989-1993) - Out of the military and working various telecommunication jobs in Boston and Cambridge before taking a job in Barrington, NH at a small software company.
President Clinton (1993-2001) - First time in job market with a Democrat in office and first time laid off. Had first summer since I was 14 that I wasn't gainfully employed.
President Bush II (2001-present) - Working in a high-tech job in a pre-sales technical role. Significant salary increases since starting this job in 2001.
I know this is a pretty simplistic way of looking at things. If I was in the military now, or had a loved one serving in the Middle East, I might have a different outlook. However, I honestly believe that most people vote based on how things affect them and not because of some greater good.
How do I know this? Well, let's see...I live in an area that voted predominately Democrat. I have a hard time pulling out on Route 155 in the morning because people speed through that intersection. I have a difficult time backing out of a spot on Main Street in Durham because nobody will stop even though they can tell by looking that I can't see them past the truck next to me. I watch the same people come into the coffee shop and expect exceptional service yet never drop anything into the tip jar.
They drive their vehicles plastered with democrat bumper stickers to their homes with political signs sprouting like dandelions on the lawn and live in their self-centered bubble until they go to the next event to support the cause of the day.
Many of them are really nice people but I believe that they support some of their causes because they believe that good and enlightened people support that position and the social pressure against thinking otherwise is overwhelming.
Posted by bbarton at November 5, 2004 07:30 AMWhoa whoa whoa! I think you are seriously shortchanginging what happened in the Clinton years. Both you and I benefited tremendously starting in 1995. Opportunities existed then that you'd be hard pressed to find today.
As for the rest... well, I'm hard pressed to unilaterally equate general rudeness with liberal politics. People are rude everywhere. True, you live in a predominantly liberal (and yes, the worst kind too -- East Coast Elite Liberal Academics) area, and so most of the assholes you run into are liberals. I bet if you moved somewhere more conservative, you run into just as many assholes, and most of them would be conservatives. But I know, its the hypocrisy of it all that really irks you... Just because some liberals are rude hypocrites doesn't mean they all are.
Posted by: David on November 5, 2004 08:57 AMThanks, Geo, for the encouragement at the end of your post. At least it will be someone I know and can have a beer with after if it is you that hits me on Main Street.
Posted by: Bob on November 5, 2004 09:17 AMYou're right about shortchanging the Clinton years...we benefited greatly at that company we worked for that was run run by that person we all love to hate, that happens to be a republican. ;)
I agree, just because some are rude doesn't mean all are. And just because someone is a republican doesn't mean that they are the village idiot or lack compassion.
The extremes at both ends of the political spectrum are what concern me.
Posted by: Bob on November 5, 2004 09:23 AM
Oh my God! A political post! I'll resist the urge to rant - 'cos you know that I'm officially in mourning for the country, and that the next time I see you backing out of "Breaking New Grounds" I'll rear end ya :). I don't mind a tepid vote (even a Republican one), because maybe one day we can win you over to the light side :). Still - I think Dubya's re-election bodes some sort of terrible seismic shift in this nation that we have yet to feel the pain of. I think the key phrase of your entry is "enlightened" people - that's what we need more of.
Anyway - I hope that Mary's CT scan is clear, and you can face the hard road together with hope (now there's an analogy for the next four years).
Thinking of you all. Be strong.
geo
Posted by: geo on November 5, 2004 07:59 AM