I’ve seen an increasing polarization [under the Bush presidency], and willingness to demonize one’s opponents. All that red state/blue state bullshit. We saw more of it at the GOP convention with the implication in several speeches that they represent “real” Americans, as opposed to Democrats, who presumably represent all us degenerate urban perverts, elitists, dope fiends and sandal wearing secular humanists. Conservative Republicans have given us the phenomenon of the sore winner.

How have I been affected? Well, it’s turned me into a self-identified Democratic voter for the first time in my life. I don’t think I’d vote for a Republican for dog catcher at this point.

You should read the rest of this by Bubs over at the Sprawling Ramshackle Compound. He clearly articulates a lot of what I try and express here.

Bubs is a cop, who served in the Illinois Army National Guard. He’s a gun owner and an American. And he is not voting for Bush.

My grandfather (not the one who passed away last year) is also a vet. He served in the Korean War and in WWII in both the Army and the Marines, and is one of the few survivors of Iwo Jima. He is an Irish Catholic and lives in Ohio. He doesn’t care for people of color. And he is not voting for Bush either.

It’s times like this that I believe that Obama can win.

(oh, and I’ve added Bubs to the blogroll. You should check him out sometime.)