We have been subjected to the insulting fear-mongering by the Republicans led by George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Karl Rove. They have scared people into voting on the issues of national security, gay marriage, gun control and abortion, while whipping the economic rug out from under the poor and working people in this country. John McCain, while better than Bush in some ways, has followed down the Karl Rove path, playing to voters' fears rather than their dreams, trying to divide and conquer.
As a liberal, I dream of a nation that values families by providing free health care, longer maternity/paternity leave, and longer paid vacations for workers. Rather than putting magnets on our cars that say 'Support the Troops, how about we provide better benefits for our veterans - including mental health care and family benefits? I dream of a nation where whatever your cultural, religious or racial background, you are treated with basic human dignity and worth.
As Michelle said, we need to stop worrying about the way things are, and start talking about the way things could be.
