"That's Communism!"

In celebratory recognition of our election year, my Fresh Fish is a woman who takes our government seriously.

While working on Monday, a woman in her late forties or early fifties passed by me. I noticed the flair on her jacket proudly displaying her support for McCain and Palin. She was moving quickly and I was surprised that she was aware of me. It seemed to me that she was in a hurry to get to her destination.

In mid-stream of her power walking, she stopped and swiveled her body towards me whilst reaching into her bag. "Would you wear it if I give you one?"

With a smile I replied, "I don't support McCain and Palin."

"Obama is scary," she retorts with what appears to be hurt feelings from my response.

"Why?" I was ready for a good discussion. I had nothing else to do at the moment and was determined to hear good reason for anyone to support these Republican ne'er-do-wells.

"He'll raise our taxes. We don't need all those social programs...."

I wanted to stop her there because I'm a firm believer in our country's social programs. Given the number of homeless vets living with mental and physical illness. Given the number of children who rely on those two free meals at school every day because they'll be hungry throughout the night. Given the number single parents like myself who work ten to twelve hours a day and still fall below the poverty line. I wanted to stop her but wasn't even able to breath before she continued.

"...we don't want those socialist programs in our country. That's communism!"

And then she quickly walked on.

Probably the most intriguing thing about this conversation is that this Republican immediately assumed that because I wasn't voting for McCain, I would be voting for Obama. Funny. Barack has them running scared. And even better, instead of taking advantage of the moment to sway me to her side...the dark side...she takes the low road and spouts out crap about the leading opposing candidate. No beautifully melodic promises of a Utopian future promised by McCain. Oh no. She declares Obama a communist. Priceless.