What working folks really think

There's something about the Bush & Co. administration that has stirred my revolutionary spirit, has given me great courage lately to be outspoken and honest with people I meet — in the grocery line, on the phone, in the ordinary course of business.

Sort of "what the hell, nothing left to lose," I find myself "outing" my fury, sharing with total strangers my opinion about the sorry state of affairs in America and — amazing! — have found kindred souls. After fighting my way through the robotic voices of credit card company "service centers" until finally there's a real person on the line, I tell the listener that I'll won't be able to pay the bill, make the contribution, buy whatever they're selling, until we have a new administration.

I say, for example, "well, you can thank Mr. Bush for that!" And here's the delight: Without exception, agreement! The anonymous person on the other end of the line says, "you know THAT's right!"

Just got off the line with someone who took my 1040 tax payment. She and I commiserated for a welcome few minutes; I don't remember how we got there, but I told her about Senator Frist's scheme to accuse Democrats of being "against people of faith," and said I wondered whether Americans would be so stupid as to fall for it, or whether the Republicans THOUGHT that Americans were that stupid. She said she thought Americans weren't that stupid — and I came away believing in Americans again.

Try it!