Today, I learned that the BBC has conducted a poll that indicates that the citizens of 22 countries that were polled favor Barack Obama in the Presidential election.  The mainstream media reported this because they believe, along with most enlightened liberals, that this should show us that Obama is who we need to elect.  The media, most college educated liberals, academics all admire modern Western Europe.  They admire Europeans' supposed sophistication.  They admire their ability to separate their religion from their day to day decision making.  They admire their aversion to war and they admire their commitment to socialist ideals.

Liberals, and most media members are liberal, believe that the United States would be better off if we emulated those above described attitudes.  Peace and fairness are the Holy (if I can use that word) Grails of liberal elitism and those goals require the diluting of religious belief and an increase of governmental control over "selfish" capitalist impulses.

Liberals believe that they know what is best for the masses.  They want (sincerely I believe) to improve the lives of ignorant trailer trash.  Ignorant?  Look at the social programs devised by leftists.  Go back to the beginning of socialism in America.  Social Security was based upon the belief by leftist elites that the average American was too stupid, too oppressed and incapable of planning for his own seniority.  Gun control laws are based upon the belief that we are children who shouldn't be allowed to play with dangerous toys.  The Department of Education was based upon the belief that Washington DC elites knew better than local parents and educators what our children needed.

Leftists do care about us in Red State America, but they think we're trailer trash.  Barack Obama admitted as much when talking to fellow elites in San Francisco.  He believes we're bitter.  He believes that bitterness is due to the fact that we don't have our needs met by an enlightened benevolent government.  He believes that bitterness causes us to "cling" to unsophisticated things like religion, guns and patriotism.  In his eyes, enlightened people don't cling to those things and content happy masses don't need to cling to those things.

I'm one of those "bitter clingers".  I'm part of trailer trash America.  I was born, raised and live in rural East Tennessee.  My Daddy (yes I really called him "Daddy") only had an eighth grade education.  He raised my brother and me on a farm while also working in a factory.  My mother taught Sunday School for decades.  I learned to shoot before I was eight.  My first experience with wine was with the homeade variety.  My first car was a truck.  In fact I even lived in a mobile home for two years.  I'm the folks that the liberal elites want to help and I'm the folks that don't want their help. 

I actually believe in God and believe the Bible is the Word of God.  (Ewww!  Did he really say that?)  I'm a flag waving patriot that believes that the United States is the greatest nation on Earth and has been specially blessed by God.  (He's one of them!)  I don't immediately look to Washington DC when trouble comes.  (Well now, that's just dumb.)  I actually believe that the right to keep and bear arms is just as important as any other right.  (Gun nut!)

The media is shocked that so many people in small town America have identified with Sarah Palin.  The media is less than thrilled that so many people in small town America have been humbled by John McCain's personal story.  They are convinced we must be simpletons.  They don't get it.  Sarah Palin is one of us.  Of course we identify with her.  Senator McCain's story exhibits the patriotism, honor, and self sacrifice we admire.

We aren't Europe.  We don't want to be Europe.  I know that is horrifying to the elites, but it's the truth.  That's the one thing that liberals don't get.  We may be trailer trash, but we are American trailer trash.  And there's more of us than there are of the "enlightened" media and the "enlightened" liberal elites.  And for most of us, Jesus is the only Messiah we need.  Sorry, Barry.

It's no secret, John McCain was not my first choice for President.  He wasn't my second choice and probably wasn't my third or fourth.  Senator McCain alienated me on two issues, campaign finance reform and his willingness to compromise with Democrats regarding the confirmation of originalist judges.  The First Amendment to the Constitution says "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech."  Either the sentence means what it says or it doesn't, and I want judges who believe it means what it says. 

I knew John McCain's story and was thankful for his  service and heroism, but that wasn't enough.  I believe in limited government.  I mean really limited government, and while I was disappointed with President Bush for not fighting for limited government, I didn't and don't believe McCain truly understands the benefits of limited government.

Last night, though, as I listened to Senator McCain's acceptance speech, the contrasts in this election hit me like a sledgehammer.  "Country first".  "Service".  "This Country saved me".  "Stand up".  "Fight".  Those were the key phrases from a powerful speech by a remarkable man.  Hokey?  Perhaps.  Parochial?  Of course.  However, John McCain isn't running for President of the World.  He isn't trying to be the leader of a Gene Roddenberry dream world wide utopia.  He is running for President of what he believes is the greatest country on earth.

Unlike Michelle Obama, John McCain didn't have to wait until 2008 to be proud of his country.  Unlike Michelle Obama, John McCain doesn't believe this is a "downright mean country".  Unlike Barack Obama, John McCain doesn't believe that America isn't what it once was.  John McCain believes, "In America, we change things that need to be changed.  Each generation makes its contribution to our greatness."  That is a stark contrast.

Another stark contrast is the fact that John McCain showed himself as a man of principle who isn't afraid to take on the power.  Leftist Democrats like to use the phrase, "speak truth to power".  A confusing statement that implies that the powerful are lying to you and they must be confronted.  Senator Obama, though, got where is today, by being part of the most corrupt political machine in American history.  He has never challenged the Cook County Democratic party.  He has been a loyal lap dog of that party.  Senator Obama has never stood up to the Daily Kos, Moveon.org left wing kooks who want to see this country ruined. 

John McCain, though, does not owe his allegiance to party or machine.  His allegiance is to the country he fell in love with while in agony in a box in Hanoi.  Even when you disagree with him, you have acknowledge that John McCain is a man of principle who truly does love the United States of America.

Leftists deride those of us who bleed red, white and blue as fascists.  They take our love of country and make fun of it using phrases "my mother drunk or sober", implying that we conservatives are willfully blind to our country's faults.  They are the ones who are willfully blind.  We know the United States, through its citizens and its government, have made mistakes.  We also know, though, that no nation in the history of the earth has used its power for good like the United States.

Another thing the left doesn't understand is that a majority of Americans feel the way we do.  We aren't a nation of "bitter clingers".  We embrace our nation.  We embrace our God.  We embrace our freedoms.  I'm not saying that conservatives make up a majority on every issue.  I'm saying that a large majority of Americans believe this is the greatest country on earth.  Leftist elites, of which Obama is one, are uncomfortable with this belief.  John McCain shares our belief in the greatness of America.

Can you ever picture Barack Obama, the man who has made a career of associating with people who dislike this nation, ever talking about "falling in love with my country"?  No way.

I still don't agree with John McCain on every policy point.  Last night, though, it became obviously clear.  Barack Obama isn't worthy to be mentioned in the same sentence with John McCain.  This election shouldn't even be close.  Only one candidate for President is in love with his country.  Why would we even consider the other one?