I am Kyle's self-indulgence

Attention John McCain and Sarah Palin:

I've been hearing a lot from you about Real America^TM--the people and communities that you seem to believe represent true American values (as opposed to the millions of people who live in concentrated areas like New York City or San Francisco).

I would like to tell you about where I come from.

I was born and raised in Nebraska, and spent my formative years in a town of less than 25,000 people.

My father grew up on a farm, and some of my relatives still carry on that family tradition.

As I was growing up I spent my summers working for local farmers, ridding their soy bean fields of weeds.

My midwestern parents instilled in me a value for hard work and for helping out those who need it.

I was raised in a Christian church and from about the time I was able to read, I was reading the bible.

I left Nebraska to live in Missouri, in a town of 17,000. It's the largest town for 90 miles. I teach special education in a public school. Most of my students come from rural, low-income, or uneducated families.

My meager teacher's salary supports my wife and two children. We don't have many fancy things, but we are happy.

By any standards you may choose, I think I qualify as a Real American^TM.

I believe in universal health care. I believe that health care is a right, and in a nation as prosperous as ours there is no excuse for any citizen to not have access to adequate health care.

I believe that people who have been blessed with plenty should be called on to help those who have been blessed with little. I don't care if you call this Socialism or class warfare--where I come from people help people who are less fortunate than themselves.

I'm opposed to war for too many reasons to explain here. I think that our soldiers have fought too long for a cause that was unjust to begin with, and it's long past time for them to come home.

I oppose abortion. I also recognize that if the practice is outlawed (which is unlikely even if we continue to elect Republican presidents), abortions will continue to happen. I believe the most effective way to stop abortion is to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

I also believe there are is no Real America^TM. Whether we were born in the Midwest, the East Coast, the West Coast, or in the Panama Canal Zone, so long as we pledge allegiance to the United States we are all equally real Americans, who faithfully carry on the values instilled in us by our parents, regardless of point of origin.

If you claim to represent only a portion of our nation, then you will represent none of it.