San Francisco Values Are Good for Our Nation

 This is the first post on my new theme, "San Francisco Values are Good for our Nation."  

 Frankly, I'm tired of people bashing San Francisco. Have you ever noticed that those who have negative things to say about our city are usually people who have never been to San Francisco or even to California. 

 This scenario reminds me of when I lived in Rhode Island. When someone learned I was from California, they would proceed to tell me all about my state and usually have negative things to say about it. 

 Of course, when I asked if they had ever visited California, well you can guess the answer. 

 What is it about California that causes such a strong reaction? I'd like to say jealousy as we really do live in a wonderful place. Of course, if I ever hear another no-nothing say things like, "It never snows in California," I'm going to buy them a subscription to the U.S. Geological Survey. Hey, Dummy, ever hear of the San Bernardino Mountains, or maybe the Sierras? 

 Ok--I'm off topic but I do feel better.

  The buzz these days is that "San Francisco Values" are the three dirtiest words in politics. The term dates back at least to 1996, when California Conservative Rep. Frank Riggs attacked his Democratic rival Michela Alioto over her "San Francisco Values."  More than a dozen years later, the phrase was exhumed by the former Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich and radio-TV talk show host, Bill O'Reilly to attack any left-leaning politician, particularly House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.  

 Ideological differences between the political parties are morphing to such an extent that they have become embedded in American society itself. One is either "progressive," the new term for a liberal or a Democrat. If one is a Conservative most likely, they will be called a Republican or Right Wing. Then there are the Independents who paint themselves as the new intellectual elite too chicken to take a stand. In addition, let us not forget about the Tea Bagger wacko's  too disjointed to organize. 

 It is a shame the United States never reached the Nirvana of the “post partisanship” era of politics. A time when the humdrum business of party and governance would rise above present day extremes of party polarization. Think of it as a Kennedyesque vision of leadership; the inspiration that moves people beyond narrow self-interest (“Ask not what…”). 

 Today's version of post partisanship is akin to political segregation. The voting public has adopted identities so preposterous that attempts to clarify them are as absurd as trying to educate the Tea Baggers in the facts of American history. News Flash: The Boston Tea Party was not about raising income taxes on American citizens, which happen to be lower now than in decades.
 
nfortunately, there is an abundance of political ignorance all the way around. It seems the rule today is, "don't confuse me with the facts. I'll stick with my personal bias and assumptions, thank you."