In my youth, I grew up as a “Yellow Dog Democrat”. As the name implies, we voted for people only because they ran on the Democrat ticket. We never questioned their ability, character, qualifications, or intentions. The thought that someone else might be a better choice was considered heresy, unthinkable.
We paid more attention to the rhetoric and chants than any ideas or even facts.
“Hoover caused the great depression! Tea Pot Dome! Tea Pot Dome! Tea Pot Dome!” “We can’t afford to have business—as usual! Tea Pot Dome! Tea Pot Dome! Tea Pot Dome!”
“Nixon is a liar and a crook! Watergate! Watergate! Watergate!” “It’s the economy stupid! Halliburton! Halliburton! Halliburton!” “Bush lied, kids died! Halliburton! Halliburton!
Halliburton!” (They chant Halliburton because they can’t pronounce Schlumberger.)
My focus never was about laws or policy or the consequences of what was going on in Washington. It was about the big buck on top of the ridge, or the sexy babe in the café or the promise of a better job somewhere or the muscle car with the Early Distant Warning mufflers, ( or rather the lack of any mufflers).
Looking back, it’s easy to understand the mindset in DC, (“The sequester cost us 170 million jobs!)
