Populist Molly Ivins was an inspirational, influential and entertaining thinker, speaker and writer. One little quote from her book Bushwhacked had a profound effect on my entire perception of reality in America. It changed, no, rather it crystalized and made very clear what is going on politically and socially in our country. The quote is as follows from page 125: “The political spectrum in America isn’t from left to right. It’s from top to bottom.”
Truer words have hardly ever been put together that so deftly and accurately sum up both the reality of a situation and its most commonly perceived misconception. Ms. Ivins was skilled at calling a spade a spade – and a criminal a criminal in the case of George W. Bush, Tom Delay and other corrupt Republicans and fellow Texans.
In 2004, I saw her speak in Berkeley. About that same time, I read one of her books written with Lou Dubose titled Bushwhacked. A year or so before that, however, I read an article written by Ms. Ivins called “Call Me A Bush-Hater.” This was my very first introduction to her and her honest, impassioned style. I loved it!
In this article she writes, speaking of George W. Bush, “His entire first eight months was tax cuts for the rich, tax cuts for the rich, tax cuts for the rich, and he lied and said the tax cuts would help average Americans.” She sums up the article with a thoughtful, compassionate analysis that really struck a chord with me and that I’m sure resonates with even more Americans today:
“It is not necessary to hate George W. Bush to think he’s a bad president. Grownups can do that, you know. You can decide someone’s policies are a miserable failure without lying awake at night consumed with hatred.
Poor Bush is in way over his head, and the country is in bad shape because of his stupid economic policies.
If that makes me a Bush-hater, then sign me up.”
We will miss you and your humor, your insight and your firebrand style. This country is much worse off with out you, but your words and actions will live on in our hearts and in our nation’s history. Thank you for pouring your life’s energy and passion into tyring to make this country a better place by pointing out so many problems that others were too busy or lazy or distracted or misinformed to realize on their own. Know that the fight you were such an integral part of will go on. We will make this country a better place for all in no small part due to your heroic efforts. Thank you.
please also see this tribute to Ms. Ivins: http://www.alternet.org/story/47508/
Posted by tekstone 
