What’s the earliest election you remember?
I grew up in a political household, bathed in discussions about elections, and can remember my parents talking about somebody called Ike “Skeleton.” Who of course, really was Ike Skelton, who ran for Missouri Senate in 1971 and later on was a long serving member of Congress. During Easter lunch Aunt Jane said the earliest political candidate she recalls was Al Smith, governor of New York who ran as a Democrat for President. He didn’t stand much of a chance as he was Catholic. Herbert Hoover was elected. My grandparents and great-grandparents drove from Warsaw to Sedalia (no Highway 65 back then) to see and hear candidate Smith talk from a Mo-Pac train headed west from New York. “Pops” my great-grandfather issued strong warnings to everyone going to Sedalia to keep a firm grip on wallets and purses, as there would be pickpockets in the large crowd. Guess whose wallet was stolen…yep.
Pops attended several national party conventions as well as area activities. One of them was held east of Missouri 5 in a pasture near Bunceton. This was in the early 30’s and was a fine rally and a great outdoor dinner. However, it rained and nearly all the cars became stuck in the mud and teams of horses were still hauling them out the next day. The Bunceton rally and picnic was a favorite story in west Missouri party circles for a number of years. I imagine that most people who were there have gone on to that next place, where there probably aren’t any cars to get stuck, you just drift along on a big cloud to where you want to go.
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Speaking of politics, abortion is supposed to be a “swing issue” in this year’s Presidential Election. Remember the last go around when The Donald really put his foot in it? He told a reporter that if it were illegal, the woman should be punished. He changed his statement later, but managed to offend just about everyone on both sides. Someday, probably not in my lifetime, the abortion issue will be a moot point. After all, we need a license or a permit to do just about anything, whether it’s catching a fish or driving a car. But there is nothing required to have a child. I bet the feds will figure out there’s more tax money to be collected by requiring another permit. Having a child without one will most likely garner a fine. Far-fetched, who knows? What do you think?
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Hang in there Old Buddy and we’ll see what happens next. “I shudder to think” as the old saying goes. Whatever it is though, it’s bound to be interesting. Meanwhile everything is copacetic and I wish the same for you.
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Til Next Week:
J.M.W.
