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I was down at the Flat Rock General Store on Monday past with Slim (the store owner), Hatch, Truth, Estelle, S.R.,
J.R., Harley, Ms. Ida, the widow Cora, and Farlow Wedge discussing current events, like ... the new preacher’s Sunday sermon and who it was meant for, the Friday night football games, my daddy C.C.’s good country breakfasts, the crops, harvest time, whose chickens went out next, the bad hurricanes that they were experiencing down in Florida and the possibility that one called Ivan was headed toward Alabama.
All of a sudden Farlow exclaimed loudly, “I’m gonna run. Did ya’ll see the conventions in Boston and New York, New York? They don’t represent us farmers and other working class people, so I’m just gonna run!!!” Everybody started at once trying to explain several points as to why it was too late for Farlow to have a 2004 presidential spot. Then we yielded to Ms. Ida who retired from over at the Normal College to present our case – that that was the purpose for both the Boston and New York conventions, the Democrats and Republicans had selected their candidates and that Farlow was too late. He was not on the ballots in any state, he was conservative but had he ever declared Republican or Democrat, he needed an election committee, a platform and that he would need a war chest to run, much less get elected, to a national office like the President of the United States, and that he would have to be supported by special interest and lobbyist groups.
Farlow responded with several positive remarks about his political announcement right from the steps of the Flat Rock Community House, being elected as a write-in candidate, maybe even as a Bush/Wedge, a Kerry/Wedge,
Nader/Wedge or you could see him almost say it – a Clinton/Wedge – but he never spoke it. But before this he would have to see which party best fit his platform.
The Economy ... in his eyes seemed strong, maybe not with the best high paying jobs, but with construction, service and maybe others. This was based on the fact that he picked up his grandson at school; and even with almost $2.00 per gallon gas, what kid didn’t drive a car to school was picked up by a parent, grandparent or guardian. There was hardly no kids on the buses headed home.
The War ... Good must always prevail over evil and the war was necessary to prevent more attacks on our United States homeland. We should honor and support our troops that protect us, keep us free and keep Old Glory flying high.
Same Sex Marriage ... Just read and study your Bible and act accordingly.
Agriculture/Farming/Conservation and Government Payments ... With less than two percent by population involved in agricultural production and one hundred percent involved in consumption, agriculture is important to support. However, if it is so simple, those opposed to government payments should simply grow their own food, fiber, etc.
Speaking Options ... Only one – English. Do away with all the others on the telephone, in packaging and all other places. Most everyone can speak English as good as him. Giving all those other options is like having the letters marked on the typewriter – it discourages you from trying or learning.
Jobs ... He was concerned that many factory jobs had been gone for a while, like the sewing jobs that the folks around Flat Rock had been involved in during the past. He offered one concern that was voiced by collared workers (blue/white) and others, about the individual foreigners taking jobs from U.S. citizens. Farlow knows for a fact that without these workers the chicken plant, gin, sawmill, landscapers, some construction crews and many farms could not function. He also offered a solution called a three-day/two-day solution for all concerned collared workers. Work your collared job for three days, then work on the farm, in the chicken plant, sawmill or do landscaping for the other two days. That would possibly help ease any concern about foreigners.
The Common Everyday Person ... In reality, Farlow pointed out that politically he would probably not fit, but as for the number of voters across the United States, he might possibly match up with the largest portion of them common everyday hard-working family people; and, after all, it is that person’s single individual vote that could possibly open lots of political eyes. Finally, Farlow pointed out that he was not a military veteran and that there were records to prove such.
Just as quickly as the Flat Rock General Store topic had turned to politics, it quickly turned to Auburn and Alabama football and then on to the weather again.
There are numerous rural and urban convention sites around the United States. Be sure to select a platform and express your opinion by always casting your one single individual vote. This is your freedom and what makes a democracy strong!!!
Have a good convention, stay safe and VOTE!!! |
