This not an original thought with me, nor is it new. It was written by someone a few years ago to describe the cultural divide in this country, but in some ways it’s even more applicable given the tumult of the past several days.

The author (I wish I could remember who) wrote that the political divide in this country is no longer simply political or even ideological. The gap is so wide and so profound that it is now two totally separate and competing versions of reality. Those on one side of the spectrum see and perceive the world around them through a radically different lens than those on the other side.

It strikes me now that the same principle applies to anyone who supports or would even consider supporting John McCain. What version of reality are they in touch with? Are they hallucinating? Delusional? Developmentally disabled? How can anyone observing McCain’s erratic, flailing, irrational behavior not be scared to death at the prospect of him sitting in the Oval Office under the pressure of a major crises? How can anyone who watched whatever was boiling just under the surface of his bizarre demeanor at the debate not be worried sick?

He appoints a clueless goober to be the person who will be a heartbeat away from the presidency. Do people recoil in horror at the prospect? No. It helps “shore up his base.” Palin still attracts enthusiastic crowds and has her staunch defenders. What planet are they on?

The answer is that they are on a very different planet; the planet of their reality, where John McCain is not an unstable, impulsive, reckless gambler and someone with a well-documented temper; he’s a hero who will lead or country to “victory” in Iraq and vanquish terrorism once and for all. Sarah Palin believes that dinosaurs and humans coexisted on earth just 6,000 years ago. That assertion is every bit as moronic as believing that the Moon is made of green cheese. And yet there are millions upon millions of people out there who think she’s a spunky hockey mom who would make a great president.

If McCain manages to win, all of us will inhabit that same planet one way or another. As the old horror movie promo said, Be afraid. Be very afraid