The polls open in two days in what has been, to me, one of the most disheartening election cycles in my lifetime. It’s not because “my guy” is down in the polls. It is because a small radical minority in this nation has finally hit on the right formula to capture the passion of enough useful idiots to even make this election close. I use the term “useful idiots” purposefully. In speaking with people who support Obama, many of whom are very close friends and family, I am struck by their blind adoration that is utterly devoid of any ability to acknowledge the truth of what he believes or the factual history of his ascendance though the Chicago political machine. And here I thought that, after having been able to vote for 36 years and making the transition from liberal to conservative to independent, I could intelligently argue either side of any of these labels. I see now that I was behind the curve, because the arguments on the part of the left are now limited to ad hominem attacks, moral equivalence, and blind recitation of talking points (cf. Alan Colmes) – none of which are based on reason but are nonetheless effective with an electorate that has been conditioned, in a spookily Pavlovian way, to truly believe that the present administration is not humanly flawed but rather a manifestation of true evil.

From the beginning of this election cycle, Obama seemed a little too liberal for my tastes, but McCain’s ideas on how to fix many of the big problems of our day, although well intentioned, seemed always to manifest in unintended consequences (campaign finance reform or general immigration amnesty anyone?). So, in keeping with my belief that the privilege to vote carries an equal responsibility to perform due diligence, I set out on my journey of discovery to find out whether I could live with an Obama administration as I did with the Democrats that preceded him. My first impression was that he was a stereotypical liberal with a thin resume. Boy was I wrong – he is neither of those things. Rather, he is a left wing radical with an impressive resume of association with individuals and organizations who believe that the U.S. Constitution was a low ebb in western civilization and that this great nation must be protected, despite itself, against the center-right instincts that have prevailed from its founding. Stanley Kurtz, who I guarantee will see a wider audience for his work over the next few years, lays out a fairly detailed picture of what I am talking about here.

And, in anticipation of the negative commentary that this post will incite, I would encourage at least an intellectual discourse based on the merits of his thesis – failure to do so will merely prove my next point.

Useful Idiots was a term used by the Soviet propaganda machine to describe Soviet sympathizers in the west who were, in fact, held in contempt by their handlers. I have countless friends and family members who, almost without exception, are voting purely on the basis of hope and willful ignorance. Interestingly, this is an affliction of many notable heretofore conservatives as well (Colin Powell, Christopher Buckley, I’m talking to you).

Barack Obama has masterfully hidden from the American electorate what he stands for and who he stands with. That, in and of itself, should disqualify him not only from the presidency, but even a mid-level security clearance. He has been associated with voter fraud (yes, that’s right VOTER FRAUD – are we expected to believe that Acorn’s purpose was merely to distribute cigarettes and money to the disadvantaged?). He and his campaign have actively promoted censorship. His vision is to take this country to the lowest common denominator – how else to ensure that every single citizen is, by his definition, equally advantaged.

Honorable people can disagree. I can even hold a great deal of respect for those with whom I disagree. But I have no respect for useful idiots. Do your due diligence, and if you truly believe in mainstream liberal beliefs, write in Hillary Clinton. If I am wrong in my premises, provide some thoughtful commentary. BUT DON”T BE A USEFUL IDIOT! Remember, they will eventually come for you when you’ve served your purpose.

And finally, if you want to see this great republic stand for another century as one which embodies the visions and aspirations of our founding fathers, get out and vote. It’s important that you do, because those of us who share those beliefs only get one vote. We need each and every one.

P.S Let me also suggest paying attention to the writings of Bill Whittle and Michael Yon.