DC

I just returned from Washington DC where I attended the gathering at the National Mall sponsored by Glenn Beck. I need not comment on the crowed as you likely saw that on the news. By my count there were more women there than men and all age groups were covered with those in the 40’s most common. There were very few people of color, I would estimate less than one percent. The conversation was mostly about government run amok. More than half had religious leanings in their reasons for being there.

When everyone left I looked around and the place was clean with the only mess surrounding garbage cans that were overflowing. Everyone was civil and expressed their disappointment in the government in articulate ways describing specific thoughts. Much of what I heard was repeats of what Beck has said on his show. A large number feel that Obama is a socialist but when I questioned them they were not sure what is meant by socialist. I think what they mean is that he has socialist tendencies as exhibited by the take over of GM and his cry of the liberals to spread the wealth. Most of the attendees were further left from where I sit but most were well informed citizens. That was the thing that caught my attention, the knowledge that these people have. They obviously pay attention to what is going on and they don’t like what they see. If I had to describe in a nutshell their complaints it would be that the elected officials are not listening. They see the leadership as people who have their priorities mixed up. They see politicians whose first concern is getting re elected, second Party loyalty and third Country. What they want is to reverse these priorities and using the old real estate adage as a metaphor they want Country, Country, Country. That is what I also want so while I differ from them on the importance of many Issues I agree with the major premise of lets get our priorities straight.

I can tell you this that went a huge crowd begins to yell, USA, USA, USA it sounds like thunder and certainly gets your attention.