Blame it on Papa

On this Father's Day I'm here to tell you it's all my father's fault:  He gave me my passion for politics.  Especially progressive-liberal politics.  He was a proud Democrat—in South Carolina, yet—when switching to the GOP seemed the cool and shrewd thing to do.  

 

My father ran for the South Carolina House of Representatives in the early 1950's where he served one term before running successfully for the Senate.   He was defeated once, he'd say, "for health reasons.  The voters got sick of me." But he was urged to run the next time and won.  In fact he was second in seniority when he retired.  If not for the one defeat, it's likely he'd have led the Senate for a number of years.

 

Thanks to Papa,  I was an activist at age six, meeting mill shifts with him, handing out cards and talking with voters at the polls on election days.  We'd go door to door, leaving his unsophisticated fliers in screen doors when people weren't home.  Some of those summer days were hotter than dogs' breath, too.   And there was no a/c when we got home at the end of those long days.

 

My father once said he was a Democrat "because I care about people."  And he did. He cared about all people—whatever their race, gender or economic circumstances.  He was a self-proclaimed "country lawyer" with his one-man practice.  He also was said to be one of the best attorneys to walk into any courtroom in the State.  I'm grateful for my political passion and only wish I'd inherited his gift for public speaking.  Just haven't broken through that particular fear.    But I got some of his optimism and all of his sense of humor.

 

Papa's sense of humor and disarming attitude endeared him to Democrats and a good number of Republicans as well.  One Republican governor said that my dad was the only Democrat he'd trust enough to take hunting.  (A funny thing, since Papa was no hunter, had no affinity for firearms at all.  The few times he gave in to insistent friends and went hunting, he'd shoot the gun in the air, hoping not to kill anything.)

 

I'm grateful for my love-hate relationship with politics.  Some days I vow to stay the hell out of an issue or campaign—and before I know what hit me,  I'm signing a petition, writing my congressional delegation,  making calls, writing a check I have no business writing, or giving unsolicited advice.  Can't seem to help it.  Maybe I should look into starting a 12-step program. 

 

  I've been told that when people mature (grow older) they become more conservative.  I've been assured that would happen to me in time.  Ha!  No chance.   In fact, I find myself more of a Liberal now than ever and proud to be in that demographic.  You see,  I care about people, too.  And there are too many politicians and public servants today who don't seem to care.  Those of us who do need to stay involved, don't you think?

 

Father's Day prompted this post, and I'm repeating some things I've said here in the past; also, some things I talk about in Dancing on Mars.  I posted something about Father's Day on Facebook this morning, too.  I'll share that post here, for Lucy visitors who don't visit Facebook.  And before I do, let me say "Thank you, Papa" for showing me that I'm a Democrat, down to the marrow of my bones. 

Facebook Post:

To all the fathers out there: You might have no idea how important you are, how important you will be forever, to your children. No matter how old they are. So, I just want to assure you it's true. Pay attention to the little things because the little things are probably big things. Know that, of all the roles you play in this life, none is more critical, more significant than that of "father." And of course you don't always know best. But that's okay as long as you DO your best. Feel the love today, accept the tokens of appreciation and affection. Your children will love you, whether you're in this world or gone from it. Always. And when you're gone, they will miss you. I guarantee it. I miss my Papa and think of him every day.  Happy Father's Day, y'all.