Joe-man,

I try not to presume any more than I have to. If the quote you posted was cryptic vis-à-vis the complexities of your heart, I can only read what I see. Obviously, something important was lost in the interpretation.

It remains though, that the first half of the first paragraph you reproduce essentially casts voters as a mob of fools. Too many people will see that quote, and agree with relish that “those damned Bush voters are a bunch of ignorants,” or even going further, that fraud or deceit simply *must* have been involved.

I share (what I presume to be) your disillusionment with elected leaders, and am also tired of choosing between the less-crappy of two choices. What seems new and disgusting to me in this past election is that the supporters of the man-who-didn’t-win (avoiding the term “loser,” since I don’t think it fairly describes Kerry) turned on him after he put in a strong effort in a tough, close race.

Additionally, I have seen whining turn to second-guessing turned to dismissal of and contempt for just over the half of the voters in this country pulling for “the other guy,” as if their being more politically active and ultimately successful was some sort of character flaw, like gluttony or deceit.

I mistook your quote for that kind of backbiting, and am wrong. It still exists, albeit elsewhere, and it still pisses me off. I guess that’s my point. I envision an ideal about this country, being filled with reasonable people I can argue with without scorching the earth they stand on. I see that ideal disintegrating and failing, and I hate it.