Intelligent Republicans or otherwise conservative voters are re-registering as Independents, announcing they will not vote Republican, or out and out saying they will vote for Kerry as the better of two bad (in their view) choices.

Here's who I think are the people still voting for George W. Bush.

People who don't understand finances beyond their own checkbook. People who don't care about any community beyond their own church. People who are not exposed to any culture beyond what they find on TV. People who do not think for themselves. People who have no curiosity, no desire to learn, nothing to reach for, no hope of anything better.

They want a leader who will tell them everything is all right, and will only get better. They want a President who tells them that they don't need to understand the details, because he's taking care of it. When he says, "I'm here to tell you that this country is on the right track," they feel comforted because they don't have to decide for themselves.

Hand them a dollar while you take two away from their schools/firemen/towns and they think they got a good deal. Newcomers, outsiders, people who are _different_ are viewed with suspicion. They do not value diversity, questioning, or intelligence. Instead they value tradition, obedience, and loyalty. And while those are good things, sure, they are not enough to sustain a vibrant, growing, Democratic society.

Do you know some of these people? Get them a vacation to India. Or Brazil. Give their children books for birthdays. Show them pictures of your last trip. Tell them a funny story about your black/white/latino friend. Get them to see that the world is larger than they think, but closer, too.

If you can, ask them why they believe what they do.

Thanks.