Political Wilderness

I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat. Will Rogers

This post is a long and personal political  ramble intended for the few relatives who read my blog. Anyone else may be bored to tears. You have been warned.

See where Tom Perez was elected head of the DNC. He promptly appointed Keith Ellison Deputy Chair. Yawn.

I’m of that disappearing demographic, a Blue Dog Democrat. Raised in Republican household, I was always around politics. My father was, for a time, the county chairman as was an uncle (in a different county).

The path to becoming a Democrat started with having an autistic child. Moving to Washington State put us in conflict with the school system. My wife became heavily involved in handicapped issues and the original draft of the Washington Education For All Act was written on our dining room table. She then worked for three years to get it passed. Should add she never got credit, not that she sought it.

I was a delegate to the county conventions as a Republican but became angry by the prevailing attitude of, “I got mine, fuck you, and I will get yours if I can”.

Found I had much more in common with the Democrats. Became for a time a precinct committeeman.

The Republicans had lukewarm chicken ala king at the Holiday Inn. The Democrats partied at a longshoreman’s bar.  After my marriage ended, found the Democrat functions were a great resource  for my romantic life.

Fast forward to moving to Colorado in 1997, starting to attend Democrat Party functions, and becoming active. OK, then came Obama. I didn’t vote for him. Prior to that election, the last Republican I voted for was Gerald Ford. I disliked Obama as being  part of the Chicago machine. Listening to him, thought he was all hat and no cattle. Didn’t take a stand as a Senator. Voted, “Present”. What kind of gutless position is that?

 Now he is elected. With his first cabinet nominee, Eric Holder for AG, I knew we were fucked. I knew of Holder’s work for the Clintons as Assistant AG and the pardons for dollars at the end of Slick Willie’s second term.

My main reason for voting for Romney, who I disliked, was the way he took control and salvaged the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. He was a proven problem solver and not a ‘community organizer’, whatever the hell that is.

Two years into Obama’s first term, the (P)regressives were firmly in control locally. Sure, all were welcome in the ‘big tent’ if they sat in the back, kept their mouths shut, and their wallets open. The lead up to the midterms was the last time I attended any Democrat function.

In the past my favorite explanation of the difference between a Republican and a Democrat was a pie. The Republicans are terrible concerned as to how the pie is divided. The Democrats are more concerned there is a pie to begin with. Now I would add the (P)regressives want all the pie and then they will distribute the pie as they see fit.

Last election I was for, “Anybody but Shillary”. Like many people I didn’t take Trump seriously. Like many people, I was dead wrong. I did vote for him.

I’m beginning to become a Trump fanboy. Imagine, a man who keeps his campaign promises, who isn’t compromising to make nice with the swamp, and has done more to change the collective mood in four weeks than anyone else in my memory. After eight years of smugness, the feeling of energy, opportunity and freedom is exhilarating.

 The mean side of me can’t help enjoying the angst of the (P)regressives.

In reflection, I’ve concluded President Trump would make a fine 1980’s era Democrat. Wasn’t he, then?

I’m still not willing to go over to the dark side. Jeb!, McCain, Lindsey Graham, et al make me want to barf.

At age 72, I will probably wander the political wilderness till I die.

What I can do is use this modern digital samizdat to keep bitching and agitating, and that is what I will do.