| In need of a swift butt kicking to get yourself off the sofa and involved in this election cycle? Take a car trip more than 5 miles outside the Austin city limits and your needs will be met.
Took the family on a road trip last week down 71 to I-10 then on to Houston and was struck by the volume of Tea Party Slogans and signs supporting Republican candidates - and not just in fields usually exclusively reserved for pro-life billboards, etc. Plenty of homeowners and a high number of consumer oriented businesses are proudly displaying them. The Red and White of congressional challenger Donna Campbell (oops - sorry, "Doctor" Donna Campbell) - trying to upset incumbent Lloyd Doggett - is all over the place. Also, lots of homegrown pearls of wisdom preaching the gospel of self reliance and evil of government dependence have popped up out front of repair shops and gas stations.
Know that really cool classic car lot next to 71 near Columbus? I always wanted to visit and check out the cars but that won't ever happen after seeing their front fence plastered with Campbell signs and regurgitated Tea Party talking points.
For business owners to proudly display that stuff means they certainly aren't worried about scaring off potential customers...In fact, they may be getting negative feedback if they choose NOT to go along with the crowd.
Like many, I have been guilty of laughing at the ridiculous idiocy of the Tea Party crowd. I keep thinking there's no way the rational, intelligent people out there are going to let a bunch of paranoid whack jobs take over our government...but guess what guys - the paranoid whack jobs out there are going to vote. Their families will vote. Their friends will vote. Their church groups will vote. The guy that changes their oil will vote...
The anger out there (whether it be racist, economic, homophobic, Fox news inspired, etc.) is deep and real - especially in rural parts of this state. |
