I haven't posted in a couple of months. I have been experiencing political burnout. This week, however, has afforded me some insights into the mindsets of the competing presidential campaigns.
Last Thursday, I met up with Ralph King and some of the Tea Party folks to offer up some opposition to the nose to tail mindless followers of the Obama machine. I had my sign (a poster of my own artwork) with the caption "Reject Obama ... Save America." We were respectful in our dissonance. The police then began moving us down the street farther and farther away from the line of eager Obama zombies. Although disappointed, we did not resist being moved. We understood that the Secret Service needed to clear the area for the arrival of the self-appointed Messiah. We made our appearance. We thanked the police for their service. We peacefully assembled and had our say.
I want to make one point. At the Obama rally,the police began moving us farther and farther down the street. When the police tried to do the same thing with the occupy crowd, they initially refused to move. Their leader insisted that they were on public property and was very cantankerous. "You want to talk to my lawyer? I'll call him right now" and so on. So ultimately the police backed off. I guess when you are dealing with the truly potentially violent crowd, you tend to treat them with kid gloves. When they were informed that the Secret Service would require the area to be cleared, they finally did move. But I find it curious that the distinct groups of protesters are treated differently.
I will be working on a portrait of Mr. Romney over the next few days. I am committed to presenting a poster with side by side images of the two candidates. Under the Romney portrait it will say "Business Builder." Under the Obama portrait it will say "Business Buster." This is the tone of this election. Romney represents optimism and a belief in the individual. Obama represents pessimism and disbelief in the individual. The contrast is clear. I believe that the majority of Americans believe in the spirit of the individual. Those of us who still believe this are willing to forgive our fellow Americans who just got plain duped by this smooth talking community organizer in 2008. We will accept you back with open arms!