The Political Parties
Introduction to My Take
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It’s difficult to imagine this now, but when I was a young adult and not paying nearly as much attention as I do now, one of the complaints I occasionally heard about our two political parties was, “There’s really not much difference between them.” Indeed, I thought politics was boring, and that impression hadn’t been challenged by my first visit to Congress where, at the age of 12, I sat in the gallery and listened to someone (at that stage of my life, I would have called him “some old guy,” I’m afraid) blithering on about the inordinate number of boxcars sitting idle on the nation’s railroad tracks.
Fast forward many years to the lunchroom of the high school where I was serving as counselor to a mob of 600 teen-agers just a few years ago. I was chatting with a bright young |
colleague when a long-time teacher friend of mine popped in to discuss a recent turn of political events. After the teacher left, the young counselor, said, “Gee, Marj, I can’t imagine ever knowing as much as you guys do about politics—or caring so much either.”
I told her that at her age I wasn’t as interested as I am now and probably didn’t know any more than she does. The most important thing I didn’t know was how much politics and the government politics control affects my own life. Once I realized that, I began to pay more attention. Linked to this page will be my take on the major parties. If you care to comment, please go to the “Your Turn” page under “Readers Write” and send me a message. |
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