I just got back from a week of vacation in the Dominican Republic.  Aside from consuming my weight in Presidente beer (and that is a LOT of beer), lolling on the beach, and catching up on my reading; I also took the opportunity to feel out the locals on their take of our election.

The overwhelming sentiment was "what's the difference?"

It was pointed out to me over & over again that there was no difference between Kerry & Bush, and that it simply did not matter who wins on November 2nd.  I would retort with the usual arguments and even got most of them to recognize that Clinton was the one who provided them with much needed funds during the previous rounds of hurricanes -- something Bush has refused to do.  They agreed, smiled, and still said "no difference."

I drank some more.

I started to think about it.  When >90% of the population is below the poverty line and the odds of advancement are little to nil, I can see how this election might seem like so much in-fighting and not like the referendum on democracy and liberty that we see it as.  Bush gets elected - they remain poor.  Kerry gets elected - they remain poor.

I drank another Presidente.

And then it hit me.  These people had something in common with many of the lower and lower middle class folks here in the USA who proudly display their magnetic ribbons on the back of their cars and plan on voting for Bush.  For them there is "no difference" on issues such as income, advancement opportunity, education, etc.  So they are going to vote for the guy (in these uncertain times) who makes them feel a little safer and waves the flag a little higher.

Time for some extra viejo Brugal Rum.

How had we failed?  We know the Democrats have done some wonderful and substantive things for many of the people who plan to vote Bush - why??  Well, for starters, the Right has managed to push the "welfare state" frame and convinced people that the very programs that have helped them have hurt the country.  They have made "liberal" a dirty word.  They have marginalized us.  All the while they have waved the flag and played on the noble and wonderful patriotism of the people who serve them.

How can we turn this around?  November 2nd is NOT the prize.  It is not the end of the fight.  If we win and Kerry becomes President, we need to set our sights on the Senate, the House, the Governorships, and the local governments.  Just as importantly, we need to toot our own horn - A LOT.  Not just in election years.  We need to get talking heads on the TV and radio who spend less time discussing "pros and cons" and more time pointing out what we have done right.

John Kerry WILL win on Tuesday (and I believe it will be decisive) -- but then it will be time to sober up, straighten up, and get going.

As Bruce Springsteen says, "the country that is in our hearts is waiting."