Republican or Democrat, liberal or libertarian, gay or straight, lactose tolerant or intolerant, an overwhelming consensus has it that Mainers don't hate gays, tea-bagger usurpations were soundly rejected in upstate New York, Republican victories in two governorships and at least one mayoralty are a sign of things to come, and on and on with every last story arc the chattering class can dream up, test out among themselves, borrow and spew. (If there were a Bulwer/Lytton for non-fiction, I would hope the savvy reader would toss yours truly a bone.)

I shudder to think what the "news" on Limbaugh's take on all this will be. So far I've seen Pat Buchanan feverishly slice the air two-handed, David Gregory suck it in and smile the practiced smile of his shaving mirror, the smarmy Morning Joe weave his subversion with the transparent finesse of a runaway locomotive (not even pretending to a David Brooks wannabe), listened as every participant from the camps of the two major parties in those staged one on ones spun, gyrated, wheedled, coaxed and sweet talked their way with every last rehearsed bon mot they could remember until my coffee finally kicked in and I had the good sense to use the clicker and watch the DVR of last night's Daily Show.  They had a sketch in which their fake roundtable pegged every last thing I had observed this morning after what can only be called "Stupor Tuesday." The turnout tells the sorry tale: old and white.

Then it was time to get about the business of hauling some firewood. Yes, there is life beyond these 485 pixels. Upon my return, the off-midterm election had thankfully been kicked down the playlist but I'm left with a profound disappointment which I'm still wrestling with. First of all, doesn't putting gay marriage up for a vote deny a human right? Shall we vote now on inter-racial unions? How about whether the Klan may rally? How about if Buddhists should cease and desist? I find no difference.

I would say if it isn't hate, then Mainers have a peculiar sensibility toward gays which no amount of jibber jabber can explain.

Some of those races which Michael Steele and Tim Kaine could bend your ear about for days, and no doubt will, had some of the sorriest candidates imaginable - on both sides.

Whether or not because of that lack of sizzle, the pressing business of the day-to-day, the complacency which last year's accomplishment might have brought on, or even baseball fever run amuck, the revelers of a year ago, the believers in change and hope, the finally listened-to young adults, so-called minorities or otherwise outside-the-mainstream Americans dropped the ball.

And that, kiddies, is how we wind up in Iraq, how banks get the right not to fail, how mortgages turn upside down and health care becomes like a K-Mart layaway for so many. Because the feel good stuff comes around every so often but the sausage is made fresh daily.

So when my blessedly former congressperson, Stevan Pearce, challenges newcomer Harry Teague in his first re-election, he stands a chance of winning because of some Republican top down claptrap he'll have practiced well and which will work on the only people who evidently care in an off-year national election, whatever the hell "off year" truly means. Old and white is what I learned from Stupor Tuesday.

But I will not let my registration lapse. If purged I will protest no end and re-register. If spoken for by propagandists of any stripe I will shout epithets to those would-be powerful.

Because it's not enough to have a "magic number" in the houses of Congress, as Joe Lieberman's sorry accounting so clearly demonstrates. The monarchy of our founding history is walking among us in the form of oligarchy, purchasing the support of blue dogs and all manner of scoundrels and we're too lazy to think about issues, go to the polls in an off-off year, and fashion an American posterity to be proud of because it comports with the framers' ideas.

I say "we" because that's the way citizens should look at things.

Sixty-five years ago, Franklin Roosevelt delivered a radio address which viewers of Bill Moyers have seen in all its black & white glory. It's compelling viewing as the president actually tracks written language with his finger, less stagecraft, more statesmanship. It makes for such a good read I have resisted the temptation to offer it up as a YouTube link. Yes, it makes 700 words into 1,000, savvy reader. Track along with your virtual finger and see if you too wouldn't want to offer these Stupor Tuesday non-voters a reason to atone come the next election and the one after that. Sure, we're busy, but too busy?

"In our day certain economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. A second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all regardless of station, or race, or creed. Among these are: The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines throughout the nation. The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation. The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living. The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom, freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad.

"The right of every family to a decent home. The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health. The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident and unemployment. The right to a good education. All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward in the implementation of these rights to new goals of human happiness and well-being. For unless there is security here at home there cannot be lasting peace in the world."