I only watched a few minutes of Romney’s speech. Not because I didn’t want to, but I’m currently on a family vacation and was busy playing yatzee with my mom and son (that makes it sound like I’m super old and boring–but it was fun). So I re-watched some this am on C-Span. I am a social liberal and a democrat. But, I think it is important to hear from everyone. I think it is important to be a critical consumer and not just be ruled by my party affiliation, but by the facts/issues.

All of this is to really say, I started to listen to Mitt’s speech with an open-mind. That didn’t last long.

Four years ago, I know that many Americans felt a fresh excitement about the possibilities of a new president. That president was not the choice of our party but Americans always come together after elections. We are a good and generous people who are united by so much more than what divides us.

Really? This begs the question-what America is he talking about? America couldn’t be more divided. Does he not know about the Tea Party? Or the Birthers? I am 41 and pay pretty close attention to the rhetoric from both parties–but the rhetoric from the right had been anything but harmonious. the left isn’t innocent–but for the past 4-years the anti-Obama rhetoric has been atrocious.

When that hard fought election was over, when the yard signs came down and the television commercials finally came off the air, Americans were eager to go back to work, to live our lives the way Americans always have – optimistic and positive and confident in the future.

What America does he refer to? Certainly not the on where members of the military plot against their commander-in-chief. Where the president’s birth is constantly under scrutiny. Where the financial crisis, caused by Wall Street and de-regulation, is blamed on the current President. The rhetoric of the right has been anything but optimistic. The right has been nothing if not negative over the past four years. President Obama was certainly not given the benefit of any tiny bit of support from the right. There are too many examples of this and this isn’t what bothered me the most–it just reinforced that Romney is either out of touch or doesn’t understand what coming together means. Rubio commented on the amount of golf President Obama has played and actually called him a “bad President.” Yep we have totally come together.

That very optimism is uniquely American.

It is what brought us to America. We are a nation of immigrants. We are the children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the ones who wanted a better life, the driven ones, the ones who woke up at night hearing that voice telling them that life in that place called America could be better.

“What brought us to America”–really? Who? Oh yeah–wealthy white people. That’s right it’s the white people. This bothers me, not just as the mother of black children, but as an American who truly believes that ALL people are equal, not just those who look like those who rode on a boat, by choice, to America. What about those brought in the cargo holds of boats? Those who truly build much of America? What about those who aren’t rich?

This really really bothered me. Words mean something. What someone says is so important. I might be accused of reading between the lines or reading too much into these simple words. But I ask that you read these words carefully. These words clearly illustrate who matters to the GOP and it isn’t those who were brought to America in chains. It isn’t those who challenge the patriarchal structure in place. It isn’t those who demand true equality. He also threw the Cubans into this group (he’s hoping Rubio helps get him some of the Hispanic vote)–not the Mexicans. If you brave the oceans between Cuba and America to seek a better life–great, we welcome you. If you sneak across the border–tough shit, you are unwelcome and here to take our jobs and resources.

They came not just in pursuit of the riches of this world but for the richness of this life.

Freedom.

Freedom of religion.

Freedom to speak their mind.

Freedom to build a life.

And yes, freedom to build a business. With their own hands.

This is the essence of the American experience.

Freedom of religion? Yep. Especially, if you area Muslim. I’m sure they feel totally free. Yep. Freedom to build a life. Those with chronic illness like, Erin who the Affordable Care Act has helped, I’m sure feel free knowing Romney and the right want to take that away without hearing (or caring) about their stories, their realities. Freedom to build a life–so many African American child are relegated to failing urban education systems that ensures to keep their unemployment rate in double digits in our urban centers. Yep-Freedom.

So, I ask–What America does Romney and the GOP represent and live in? Because it isn’t in mine.