Who Are "We"?

As we consider this year who our next president will be, I think it's important to ask the question, "Who are we?". The question was posed this morning on my morning politics tv show, and I found it quite compelling.

When Mitt Romney says "We" who is he talking about?  Let's see who thinks he/she is not included in Romey's We: he is way behind in polling right now among women, Hispanic, and Black voters.  His choice of Paul Ryan as VP candidate is certainly not going to help him with the female vote.  Don't get me started on that guy.  So, who does see himself as a Romney We? White men. Rich white men.  Christian white men.  Possibly elderly men (although Ryan's budget might not help Romney get the elderly out in mass to vote for him).

There is an overwhelming feeling of fear and hostility within Romney's We.  We'd love to increase military spending, and no matter how much we say a military is used for peacekeeping, a military is used as aggression.  We want to cut spending for entitlements because We don't need them (only lazy people need them).  We don't like the government regulating anything (besides women's reproductive organs).  We fear that the government will impede our ability to practice our religious beliefs (even though We really don't go to church much or care to follow the teachings of Jesus anyway if it means being charitable to the poor).

Although I don't like to generalize Republican voters, it's hard when these are the candidates the party puts forward.  I know so many Republicans who think outlawing birth control and in vitro is crazy talk.  But, you see, it ISN'T crazy talk anymore.  I know Republicans who chuckle at the idea that a rape victim wouldn't be able to get a morning after pill, but it's possible under a Romney/Ryan administration.  Many Republicans have and love their gay friends.  Many Republicans don't care who has sex with who or how many birth control pills they need to do it.  I feel bad for them because they will vote for the Republican ticket no matter who's on it, just as most of us would do for our party.  I feel bad because each vote they cast includes them in a We they may not want to be.

So, when you cast your vote this year you have to ask yourself, "who are we?"  I think it will make your choice easier.