Pages

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Sundays in My City: Politicking

'Tis the season for local politicking here in Southern Maryland. Usually, this doesn't mean much more to me than the occasional sign on the roadside, but this year, I have a vested interest.

The owner of my local liquor store is in the running. It's personal now.

When Paul and I first moved into our present home, we didn't have many friends. My parents came to visit, and the only person who knew us by name was Steve, the owner of the liquor store minutes from our home.

Let that sink in for a minute.

We had no church, few friends from either of our respective jobs, and no connections from our high school or college days. We just had Steve and his cooler of Yuengling.

I imagine my parents were thrilled by this development.

We have since made many connections in our little county, but we continue to enjoy chit-chatting with Steve when we pick up our adult beverages.

He asks about our family, calls me "dear," and always gives the kids lollipops.

Yes, I take the kids to the liquor store. Please stop judging me.

Thus, when Steve's name started popping up on lawn signs, bumper stickers, and roadside banners, I knew that he would get my vote.

This, my friends  is exactly what is wrong with American politics. I know nothing about Steve's platform, his political philosophy, or his views on really anything. That is, besides the his thoughts on the best Pinot under $12.00.

And yet, I like him. I like his family. I like the fact that he owns a small business in this era of Wal-Mart. I like that he puts up flags for Memorial Day and a big, ugly Santa sleigh on his roof each Christmas.

I like that there are always fresh flowers in the planters, and that his daughter sells watermelon from her garden on the porch of his store. Shoot, I like that his store has a porch.

Besides, honestly---he couldn't be any worse than our present batch of commissioners. One woman, who has been reelected since the beginning of time, walks around town pulling two humongous pigs on their own  leashes. I once saw her eating a pulled pork sandwich in a local restaurant, her pigs sitting quietly by her heels.

That's just messed up.

But here's the kicker. This woman--I'll call her Pig Lady---has campaign signs all over the county that say, "She knows that a million dollars is still alot of money."

"A lot," Madame Commissioner Pig Lady, is TWO WORDS. Not one. Perhaps when you are busy slashing local school budgets and horrifying your porky pets, you could take the time to proofread your own campaign signs.

Sorry. She may be a perfectly nice lady, but this issue makes me stabby.

Now, if my friend Steve is elected, that will mean that TWO of our five county commissioners will be owners of liquor stores.

It's perfect, really. We will never, ever, become a dry county.

That's something I can get behind.

There are serious elections in my fine state this November---there will be an epic rematch between Bob Ehrlich and Martin O'Malley for the governorship. Somebody will attempt, and fail, to unseat Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. There will be big money, and even bigger consequences to these elections.

But yet, I think I will have a greater thrill when I put a check-mark next to Steve's name this fall. After all, I like him. He's one of us. The politics is indeed personal.

Any politicking going around your parts?

Thanks to Unknown Mami for hosting Sundays in My City.

Unknown Mami

21 comments:

Beth Zimmerman said...

That was fun to read and I loved the story about the pig lady!

Unknown said...

Pig Lady and Steve- what competition! LOL Incorrect spelling grammar also makes me stabby!

Tracie said...

I live in a dry county. I think you have your priorities in order.

Coby said...

Oh how I miss you! Alot!

urban muser said...

thanks for sharing this. funny about the pig lady eating the pork sandwich! the guy from the liquor store would get my vote too.

Jenny said...

Great post as always. Alot of serious stuff underneath alot of banter.

Sorry.

I'm evil.

Grimmgirl said...

I'm not much into the local politics in the dry county I share with Tracie (above), but I am totally with you on "alot"! Our local Taco Bell recently advertised, "Manager's Wanted," on all four windows in big bright letters. What did they want: his wife, his shoes, his car, his dog?

Macey said...

I HATE politics. Or, actually, POLITICIANS is what I hate.
Two words that should never go together: CAREER and POLITICIAN.
Also. I liked this post alot though. lol

michelle said...

I'll say it again. You're a very funny lady.

Have a great Sunday

xoxoxo

cheatymoon said...

Politics generally make me stabby, but with the teaching gig comes the responsibility to pay attention to what's going on at the local level.

The typos that make me stabbiest are my own. Ack.

Great post.

mimbles said...

I'm giggling at the vivid mental image I now have of pig lady in the restaurant :-)

We have a federal election coming up in a couple of weeks here in Australia. I find the whole thing totally depressing. I'm terrified I'll be casting my vote for The Greens in a futile act of protest and then watching in horror as the electorate hands the reigns to the uber-conservative Liberal party and a man completely devoid of any redeeming features. If Tony Abbott becomes Prime Minister I want to leave the country :-(

One Photo said...

Interesting candidates in your neck of the woods :-)
I have to say that although yes, you do not know Steve's political platform or his views, you do know much about the man himself, his family, his likability, friendliness and kindness. So absolutely he is the candidate to vote for and I hope he gets a lot of votes and the pig lady gets notalot :-)

shortmama said...

Always, always stand behind the person that sells you your alcohol!

Claudya Martinez said...

I misread the first sentence and thought you were telling me it was "potlicking" season and I thought, "Man those folks in Maryland need to find something more entertaining to do."

Steve sounds like a nice guy and his signs aren't misspelled which is a plus in my book.

Anonymous said...

This. Is a fantastic post. And I fully agree with you: Yay adult beverages! Nay to dry counties! Yay to NICE PEOPLE. Go, Steve, go!
ps - thanks so much for visiting my little site the other day.

Erin said...

You know I never notice any of those signs....but I am sure tomorrow on the way to work I will notice ALL of them!

Lothiriel said...

I live in one of the top DUI cities in the country!

I took Emma to a liquor store once (my first time, actually) with my husband. I didn't know that was something to be judged for! LOL

Sonya said...

You seriously write the BEST stories..I can see everyone in my mind as I read..you need to write a book.

Joanna Jenkins said...

What a great story.

As for politics in Los Angeles and California. Oy! You don't want to know.

Happy SMIC
jj

Unknown said...

Hooray! You bring your kids to buy wine, too? I thought I was the only one....I always feel so badly that my kids know exactly what a bottle of wine is vs. a bottle of beer, etc. Oh well.

And a lot being two words would get me all up in arms, too. I think I'd be voting for your liquor store guy, too!

Melani said...

Yes, I take my kids to the liquor store by our house all the time, so I won't judge you!

Steve would get my vote, too!

I am not a big one on politics as a rule, I heard an earful from my neighbors one time and since then, well let's say I am gunshy and keep my mouth shut when it comes to politics!