Signs of the Times

I got signs.
Two of them, one on each side of the entrance to
my driveway. I was not only the first kid on my
block, but the first for miles around to display
Obama/Biden signs. On the entire 22 mile
stretch of highway I drive to my book building
and back, I have seen signs for all the candidates,
but nary an Obama sign.

I had made two fruitless trips to the storefront
campaign headquarters of the local Democratic
Party. The first time, about six weeks ago, I was
told they had been ordered, should be in any time.
That prevented me from ordering any from the
Obama website. On my second visit, I got the
impression there wouldn't be any more. But-
lo and behold- they did get a few, two whole
weeks before the election. So here I was in this
deep red state with blue Obama/Biden signs.

And I had them for two whole days before
they were stolen. The sign I've had for a
local candidate, also by the entrance to the
driveway, still stands. Some folks must feel
so threatened by the idea of Obama becoming
president that even the signs need to be kept out
of sight. I don't think my signs would have made a
difference in how people are going to vote. I did
want to show my support for the one I think is the
best candidate. A lot of us have already voted.

One poll, the "Insider Advantage" (never heard of
them before), gives Obama a one point lead in
Georgia, but all the rest have McCain leading by
one to six points, and I think they are probably right.

But there are maps showing Georgia faded
to pink- or is it old rose?- and some
commentators are saying it is now purple.
Maybe the signs really were a threat- but
no, there have been reports of stolen Obama
signs all over the country for weeks now.

Some folks who are losing their one house will
vote for the man who couldn't remember how
many he owns.

Early Voting

I've voted.
Early voting is great. Go when it's convenient. Get it
over with. The local Democratic Party still hasn't
made much effort on behalf of their national
candidate. Still no yard signs, no buttons available.
The lone staff person told me that Georgia isn't a
battleground state. The attitude is that it's solid
red and pretty apt to stay that way. Yet there are
indications that the red color is bleeding. I think
the red will be on their faces if Obama takes the
state, or even if there's a tie, and it is possible.

Yet another reason why I am not a member of
the Democratic Party. If I were, I would feel
obligated to help elect everyone who ran on
their ticket. But I vote for candidates, not
parties. This time I voted for two Republicans
for local offices.

A relative who voted for Bush in the last two
national elections says he's voting for the
Libertarian candidate. He's thoroughly disgusted
with Bush., but says "I can't see that Obama
would do anything for me."

I don't think he'll do much for me, either. I don't
own stock, and have no children or grandchildren
of military age. I voted to end the war in Iraq and
with the hope of medical care for all those who have
been suffering and dying early without it.

One woman I talked to said she's voting for McCain
because Obama will raise taxes. She lost her job and
has only two more weeks of unemployment insurance
to collect, says she's going to file for an extension of
benefits. The factory where she worked has laid off
more workers recently, and another local factory is
going to close entirely, throwing 400 more workers
onto a shrinking job market. But when I said Obama
would not raise taxes, but would lower them for the
factory workers like her, she brought up the Muslim
angle.

Suddenly I understood McCain's steady barrage of
lies about Obama's person and character. No one
is expected to believe them, but they provide excuses
for what some people plan to do anyway. They are
especially useful for those who cannot bring them-
selves to vote for a Black man.