Bush Legacy Tour

FARMINGTON, NM-Even in a conservative place like Farmington, New Mexico we still had a good group of people come out and support the bus. I heard over and over how surprised people were to see this bus in the middle of this extremely conservative area.

Not all of the people that came out to see the bus were there to support it. We had a handful of people say that they support the President and feel that he has done a great job. We even had an elderly man leave comments on a comment card saying, “Best damn pres. we ever had, don’t be in town after dark. We are Bush people here.” He  may have been concerned for our safety navigating the streets of Farmington in such a large vehicle after dark but I think what he was referring to may have been a threat. There is something about a threat left on a comment card that does not elicit the fear intended.  Fortunatley most of the folks that disagreed with our mission in Farmington did so without threats and expressed their disagreements with decency and politeness. They were in the minority, however, of the people who came through. The majority of the people I spoke with were fed up with Bush and his allies in Congress and looked upon the last eight years as being full of disaster.

Ken remarked that, “ ‘Mission Accomplished’ will never have the same meaning and that Bush has been the worst President of my lifetime 1950-present.”

Bonnie was concerned for the future of American families and the future of her grandchildren. “We have seen unprecedented abuse of power-leading to the dismantling of our rights. Bush and his allies are driving millions of the middle class into poverty and are selling out my children’s and grandchildren’s futures to big money corporations.”

Vicki commented that she agreed with the views expressed on the bus and that “…we need change, change, change. We should promote alternative energy, healthcare and prevent the neo-conservative cause.

Several Farmington locals expressed concerns over what the upcoming New Mexico Senate race would bring for their state. Retiring Senator Pete Domenici has been a reliable vote for the conservative cause. There is strong hope that New Mexico can elect someone with progressive ideas that actually looks after the needs of the middle class community in Farmington and beyond. The side of the antique fire-truck the bus was parked next to summed it up best. It said “Farmington Fire Dept.” then “ Community Relations.”  The idea that firefighters are part of the government and are there to serve the community was felt strongly enough to paint it on a fire-truck 60 years ago. Unfortunately the idea that the government is there to serve the community is not one this administration and its allies have adhered to.