I just read this post by Dave Winer, and I’m just slack-jawed by this statement:

A white-haired woman in the seat in front turned around and passed back a political cartoon which seemed to say Bush was the right choice. I said I don’t understand, does this mean you’re voting for Bush? She just wanted us to know there are “other points of view.” I handed it back and said I know, half the people are voting for Bush. Then I turned to my Canadian friends and said “But I have no respect for them.”

Seriously, if you vote for Bush and he wins, we’re going to blame you for what happens in the next four years.

This is why the system is broken. People driven by hatred for a candidate are unable to accept that anyone can, in good conscience, support that candidate. They think that Bush supporters are mindless idiots, not worthy of respect. They don’t allow any room that we might have thoughtful reasons for supporting Bush and his policies, even if they don’t agree with us.

Look, I didn’t like Bill Clinton or Al Gore. But I didn’t jump on the bandwagon that thought they weren’t deserving of respect. I disagreed with many of their policies, but I understand why a large number of people supported them. In much the same way, I think there are many Americans who look back at Reagan, and while they disagreed with his policies for years, respected the man, and are now allowing history to be the judge of his decisions.

I don’t care if you disagree with Bush. That’s your right, and it actually makes our democracy stronger. I’m glad that nearly 50% of the population will be disappointed on Nov. 3. That means that the discussion and debate will continue, forcing whoever sits in the Oval Office to pay attention to the American public.

But I find it reprehensible that there are those like Winer who hold Bush supporters in such contempt that they can’t even fathom the idea that a sane human being would be able to support the president. That’s not how a democracy operates. That’s not how we move forward and make this country better.

The difference between me and Winer is that I have respect for Sen. Kerry and his supporters, even thought I vehemently disagree with his positions. I respect his service to the country in both the military and the Senate. I respect his desire to make America better for all Americans.

I even respect Dave Winer and hope that he’s able to overcome his disdain for Bush supporters.