While the Bush crowd trumpets its 51% share of the vote as a mandate and struts about thanking the "values voters" for their help, I.... While the Bush crowd trumpets its 51% share of the vote as a mandate and struts about thanking the "values voters" for their help, I wonder what it is in the neofeudalist cabal that half the electorate found so appealing. Whatever, it was, it couldn't have been the "values" of lying, cheating, and naked aggression that really turned the tide. While I covered some of the reasons for the neocons' attractiveness to Middle America a few weeks ago ("The Appeal of Fascism"), the matter hasn't left my thoughts, and a few more musings came to mind this afternoon while I sat at my corner coffeehouse….

• Bush told them that they were right and that others were wrong
  
• Bush told them that they were strong and that others were weak
  
• Bush told them that they were beloved of God and that others were anathema
  
• Bush told them that they were rightful masters and that others were destined to serve
  

And so they voted for him, and went home to their suburbs and trailers and felt good.

And the next day they drove off again, alone as always, to serve another day.