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And your three words, if you want them: Yes we can. And the words of anybody else who wants to own them: Yes we can. We can own our neighborhoods. We can own our polling place. We can know those poll workers, and we can cast paper ballots and absentee ballots if it makes us feel better. We can speak out. We can open our mouths and drown out the propaganda. We can say: No, it won't happen this time. It's too important this time.
If John McCain somehow pulls away with this thing, it would be as suspect as me beating Lance Armstrong in a bike race with a flat tire. I don't even believe the Republicans believe in the ticket they have--McCain ain't corporate enough, and Palin is just a hairdo with a politician under it and a lot of bad news in her past. I can't despair of America yet: I'm still here, and I see my co-workers and my family and my American spirit all the time--that longing for the dream that lies just beneath the skin--the dream deferred for both black and white, but always throbbing.
I believe. I don't know why, and maybe I'm a patsy, and maybe I'm a fool, but I believe. I freaking stand for the pledge of Allegiance even though I despise loyalty oaths and even though I choke on "under God"--I know why I say it. Because to me, it takes me back to them--you know, them. Unlike Sarah Palin, I know they did not write the pledge, but they might have understood it--
Our Founding Fathers did not make this country for corporate America, with neither souls to damn nor asses to kick. Our Founding Fathers broke with England because they were exploited financially and politically, and they knew it and got really pissed! We can own their disgust at that state of affairs, we can own their decision about self-determination, and we don't have to be afraid--the corporate powers that be don't outnumber us yet! They can't own a message they are so opposed to they can't call it to mind! Do you know why they say "class war" with so much disgust?
Because the rich know they are outnumbered, and that desperate people will fight harder. The revolution doesn't have to be their behinds up against the wall-Romanov-style: they could concede their little fiefdoms, for our very survival. They could decide right now that we deserve to live, have shelter, and have health care, right off the bat. That much of a crumb would keep people from anarchy and the guillotine.
Otherwise--you (the corporate powers) gave us God and Guns. Powerful rhetorical and physical weapons. Thanks, but, well...
Thanks. We remember our Sam Adams, our Jefferson, our Tom Paine.
My childhood myth was--we went to war because we had enough. My bet is, just like presidents before did not interfere, not Lincoln, not FDR, with elections in time of war, we shouldn't need to.
If the fit hits the shan, even the western PA militias will know it, and I'll finally figure out how to shoot a gun. Even Blackwater hasn't gotten to all of theirs, and in the ranks of the military are the real patriots--if the class war came to siccing the military on the gentry--nice try--they are us. I don't think things are near as bad as that yet.
This is my country. My fathers came, raised family, worked, fought and died here. It's mine. And I'll fight, too. So long as I can, because that is my America. Or else, I guess I'll move to Italy with mio sposo. But I will remain American. And plan to return.
I will be true.
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