Road Rage of the Political Kind

Today driving home for work another driver flipped me the bird. Actually, to tell it accurately, he beeped twice (like from an Aamco commercial) and then raised his right hand towards his interior dome light and gave me the bird. I was cruising along at 65, the speed of traffic, in the 2nd lane, and he passed me in the fast lane and did the obscene gesture.

Now what did I do to cause this? I certainly hadn’t cut anyone off because I had been following behind a line of cars for at least 5 miles. Perhaps it was the fact that I have both a McCain and Yes-on-8 bumper sticker on my car. Perhaps this guy was displeased with my choice of decoration.

The driver was a white male, probably in his 30’s, and must have been fairly tall, because there wasn’t much headroom left. He was driving a light blue late model BMW coupe and after gesturing, floored it at to at least 80. Perhaps he was concerned I’d chase after him in my humble 4-cylinder.

I’ve been trying to come to some conclusions about what this event meant if any.

Is this guy wealthy because he drives a new BMW? Perhaps, but it could have been borrowed, or he’s just made a decision to spend all his money on his car.

Is he for Obama? I don’t know, he could be for Nadir for that matter.

Is he gay? Perhaps, but he didn’t give me a limp-wristed finger.

Is he a law breaker? Yes, he floored it to 80 MPH

Is he full of rage? YES, this was a pre-meditated move far different from flipping someone the bird who causes you road rage from being cut-off. He may do it to every McCain or Yes-on-8 bumper stickered car he sees.

Was this a move to intimidate me? YES, as a big man, he’s probably use to intimidating people. After all, it’s not a kind, considerate man who generally starts flipping people the bird at a moment's notice. It takes the right personality.

I first put a McCain sticker on my car about a month ago, within the first 5 days I was cut-off on the freeway onramp by a young black girl in a new compact car that was behind me at the approach signal and deliberately went around me to cut me off. Oh, and she had an Obama sticker on the bumper.

I’ve been very conscious of having those stickers on my car and have been very careful to drive as courteously as possible. I wouldn’t ordinarily cut people off anyway, but now I go out of my way to be a good example of a considerate driver so that I don’t reflect poorly on the candidate I’m supporting.

Yesterday I went to the Dodgers/Phillies game with my brother who drove us in his unmarked rental car. After the game (with 56,000 in attendance) we were cut-off by 2 inconsiderate drivers butting in front of us to get out of the jammed parking lot. Wow, they saved 20 whole seconds! They both had Obama stickers on their cars.

Dennis Prager often suggests this bet and so far no takers: A person carrying a sign with a Republican slogan in a Democratic stronghold area will receive far more insults than a Democrat with his sign in a Republican stronghold. I guess everyone knows it to be true.

McCain supporters and Republicans have got to be ever vigilant to renew their convictions. Don’t let the bullies get you down; they make lots of noise and obscenities to dissuade you – far more noise than our side ever would. We can shut them up with our votes.

Will I remove my bumper stickers? No, I won't be bullied.