roadside politics

sunrise:  7:09

I feel my spirits lift with the morning mist.  So nice to have a clear sky heralding the return of direct sunlight into our corner of the world.

I had to drive J into town early this morning.  The early sunlight extracted a glorious glow in the yellow leafed maples along the roadside, quite beautiful in spite of the crowds of political signs bristling around the base of every tree and along the boundary of every lawn. 

In front of the Bangor Auditorium, the giant statue of Paul Bunyan, lit by the morning sun, gazed over hundreds of picket signs at his feet.  I had the feeling that if he were able, he would take the mighty axe from his shoulder and sweep them all away.  Something about a hard working lumberman of the old, frontier days juxtaposed with today's politics - petty, attacking, negative, manipulative, anything but straightforward and sensible - felt utterly incongruous.

I wish I were excited about a candidate for governor of Maine, but I am not.  And nationally, it feels as though there is more anger, spite and ferocious competition than thoughtful problem solving in any of the current political realm.  People care more about winning, about ousting their opponents, than about mending fences or creating cohesion in their communities.

A lot of people talk about not voting at all in their disgust and disillusionment.  I think we must vote.  It is essential that we never take that privilege for granted.  But it can be hard to find something to feel excited about at the polls.

 I'm looking forward to November 3rd.