Not My Manifesto

My political biography (if you will)

I suppose I have to credit my 9th grade teacher. She required, as part of an Election Unit in 1988, that we work on a campaign of our choice. I can’t remember why I ‘liked the democrats best’ as a 14 year-old. I can’t remember disliking republicans (yet!). I chose to work on the SB Woo campaign for the US Senate. Looking back, it’s pretty funny; I know now that and understand why Woo had no chance. He was running against Bill Roth who was quite the entrenched incumbent. I remember my friend and I coming back from a lit. drop (handing out literature and stuffing it in doors) in the late afternoon and asking the campaign manager (as you do when you’re still a kid) if it was okay if we went to get lunch.
“You haven’t eaten?!?!” He exclaimed.
“uhm nooo,” we replied.
At which point he pulled out a twenty and told us there was a Roy Rogers around the corner.

We “dropped” soooo much lit. and we stapled so many yard signs. Going through old boxes I still find SB Woo for Senate pins.
We called people to tell them that Senator Ted Kennedy would be at a rally for Mr. Woo; and a sweet older lady said “Oh, dear, I’m sorry, {whispers} I haven’t voted for a democrat in years.”

We called people to “get out the vote” on election night. The best best best part of the whole experience (well, besides becoming a political junky) was that we (the kids who worked for the democrats) shocked the kids who worked for the other side because we were invited (cheerfully!) to the “victory” party. Even though our guy lost we had a blast. Probably most importantly, as High School Freshmen we felt like valued members of the team.

From that point on--I have been a fascinated political junky.

But wait! As I write this the flash comes to me…of sitting in a hotel room with the rest of my family in bed. I’ve got the t.v. turned away from the beds and the volume way way down and I’m watching the Democratic National Convention. I know that I watched both of them that summer (1988) but I can’t remember which was which.

I watch the State of the Union if I can (even if I end up talking to (okay arguing with) the t.v.). I watch debates ad nauseam (even the Republican ones for as long as I can).

There are basically two main reasons I will not vote for a Republican:
1. Government Shutdown 1995-6 ~ argue with me all you want. My perception at the time was that the Republicans were ultimately responsible for this fiasco. I had worked for the Feds the summers during my summer vacations all through College and had a lot of friends who were adversely affected by the Government shutdown which ultimately ended up costing more because people were paid back when they went back to work. On top of that it was the Republicans who were referring to “lazy government employees”. While I don’t deny that there are plenty of lazy people working in the government the vast majority of federal employees are trying to do their job to the best of their abilities. AND seriously… legislators calling people lazy??? {eyebrow raised high}

2. Calling “me” un-American. I admit that my loathing for Republicans was probably cooling down until the Village Idiot* moved into la Casa Blanca. I also had been saving my ire to direct at him. Then September 11 happened. {Moment of Silence} God Rest Them. I was as stunned as everyone else. Time passed and finally the Poo started rolling down hill and we ended up in a pre-emptive war. I know a lot of people say, “I told you so.” But I was against the war** from the start. What sickened me the most were the people who just blithely followed the Commander in Chief without question. What hurt me the most was that “they” (pundits and politicians and ignorami on the street) had the audacity (ha!) to call me unpatriotic for questioning the series of events.

Well bite me you jerks! I was right. And look where we are. {sigh} it makes me sad and mad to think about this. I wish I had been wrong.

Okay….my comfy bed is calling to me and I need some sleep. Next, I think we’ll talk about how my faith affects my political outlook. Slainte!

*I refer to the person not the office. I have the utmost respect for the Office. The current occupant deserves public flogging and if not…..impeachment…and since that won’t happen…maybe censure??

**Let’s get this straight right now. I distinguish between “the war” and “the soldiers”. God bless them and keep them. I admire the people who volunteer to serve so much and I care for each one, and my heart hurts whenever I hear of another death.