I don't know of a white president who had to put up with this crap

To the editor,

In a recent letter, my friend Steve Earle wrote: "the left is fond of saying is that conservatives and Republicans are all 'racists'. Just when did that happen? I'd like to know? History shows it was just the other way around. Perhaps Scott can weigh in on that question for me." So, I am "weighing in."

Actually, Steve is right. The Democratic Party was long the party of slavery and segregation. The GOP was the party of Lincoln. It IS ironic that the two parties have switched that way. I am sure that part of the reason is as more African-Americans voted in the 60s, the Democratic party realized an opportunity. That the Democratic Party is opportunistic and part of the "problem" I have no doubt. It might surprise Steve that I have voted in almost every election since I was 18 and have rarely voted "for" anyone. I was usually voting AGAINST the other candidate!

Personally, I do not see ALL conservatives as racist or bigoted. Nor do I see as racist people who simply criticize President Obama or his policies. Where I DO see a great deal of direct or indirect racism is in the extremism with which some have attacked the president on imaginary grounds. To criticize him is one thing and I do it all the time.

But to promote "Big Lie" conspiracy theories about his religion, his birthplace, and his loyalty to this country is something else altogether. I would categorize this as racist or as at least discriminatory because I do not know of a white president who has had to put up with this crap. The Right was out to "get" Bill Clinton but at least they found realistic stuff to get him on. When I see anti-Obama rallies where people wear tee shirts that read "put the WHITE back in the White House" or the so-called "funny" Tea Party cartoons that show watermelons on the White House law, why yes, I am going to suspect at least some racism. I cannot help but wonder if at least some of these people are angry white men who are angry simply because a black man could be elected president in this country.

I could say the same thing about conservatives in the anti-immigrant movement. I rarely hear attacks on European immigrants, legal or illegal even though there are many in the U.S.A. People do not usually bash them because they look European! I never hear the "less spending" Tea Party advocating a billion-dollar fence across the Canadian border but only across the Mexican border. Could it be that some of this stuff is at least a BIT anti-Latino? And there are "real" racists in the anti-immigrant movements. What about the Ku Kluxers and white-supremacist militias that volunteer to "guard" the Mexican border? Maybe not all immigrant bashers are in these organizations but the rest do very little to distance themselves from.

Sorry, Steve, that I took so long to respond to your letter but I have been busy. Also, when I get some time, I will explain why I am not sure I see racism and bigotry as the same thing. Have a Merry Christmas (are you surprised that a progressive would wish you a Merry Christmas?)!

E. Scott Cracraft

Gilford