Wrapped in Neiman Marcus and Saks

I had been admiring Sarah Palin's clothing and now I know why. My question is: if not for the media, would she have considered this $150,000 in Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, and Barneys clothing income? Already reporters have exposed that the perks of public office up in Alaska--her house, her travel with her kids, her daily stipend--haven't been considered as income.

This entitlement, this belief that public office is a way of getting rich, combined with the Republican belief that elections are all about crushing the enemy, are the bi-products of this age of Republican rule. Remember Tom DeLay? He destroyed compromise in the House of Representatives. However, in a democracy, the opposition should not be considered the enemy if bi-partisan compromise is necessary in order to keep the government doing its job: to protect, to preserve, to regulate against our less admirable qualities.

Thomas Franks in his latest book: The Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Rule, informed us that Karl Rove intended to create one-party rule and to create new wealth from lobbying and privitization of government services. We see the impact of "no opposition." It's dangerous. It's wrong, no matter who is in power.

After this election, we must explore ways to communicate among ourselves once again, so that we can return civility to our nation. Civil engagement requires civility. Perhaps an economic depression, where we are all concerned about the basics--housing, food, fuel, jobs, education--will be the way to push aside the animousity surrounding abortion and gay marriage--returning these to private and personal decisions without government interference-- so that we can join our hands and help our neighbors survive this mess.