Papa was a Democrat, Momma was a Republican and in all their years of
marriage I don't think they realized they simply canceled each other out at
the polls.
Naturally, when I came of age the pressure was on, so I took the only
reasonable course of action. I became an Independent. Mind you, I don't
really know what an Independent is, I just know it kept the bombs from
dropping on my bedroom.
When I asked the difference, Momma said Democrats like to spend money and
Republicans like to save. Papa just said the Democrats were right and that's
all I needed to know.
Being an Independent has its advantages. I may not make much of a
difference, but I think I see things a little clearer than those committed to
one side or the other. Then again, no one can see clearly in a dust storm.
I sort of like Presidents. Some are funny, some are boring but all are
interesting characters -- especially for cartoonists. I like their wives
too, usually. They all wear hats for the inauguration, then misplace them
later. They love children, they love not having to cook for at least four
years and they usually write books nobody I know ever buys.
I like conservative talk show hosts, though I'd never admit it to friends in
Seattle. I like watching "spin misters" on TV even when I can't figure out
quite how their brains work, and alas, I tend to like politics.
Now the years have taken Momma and Papa and I'm still an Independent. Momma
was wrong about the difference between the two sides -- taxes keep going up
no matter who's in office. Papa was amiss too, although I never had the
nerve to tell him so. The Democrats just aren't always right.
I do laugh, however when they say "right or left." I envision a crowded
auditorium with people leaning to the right, then leaning to the left --
stand up, sit down, fight, fight, fight!
Ah politics ... who knows what that is anyway?
Marti Talbott is the Author of:
A Shattered City - Earthquake in Seattle
www.carsonbooks.com
