I have written on HH before about my great aunt who lost her re-election bid for township trustee last fall in the wake of the national anti-Obama uprising. A whole lot of good conservative Democrats were voted out of office. My aunt was the most fiscally conservative elected official I have ever known. Despite that, and her years of experience, she's looking for something else to do now.
One problem....who would hire a 90 year old? My great aunt first started working as a deputy assessor for the township in which she was born and lived her entire life in 1962. In 1970 she was elected trustee and had won every election since that time. That 40 years, plus another 8-that's almost 50 years of service to the people of North Township. She was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2001.
A friend of mine "from the other side of the aisle" suggested we do something to honor her so we planned a small reception with a few surprises for her. And then she ended up in the hospital and we had to reschedule the reception. We finally were able to hold it a few weeks ago and to her surprise Congressman Donnelly was able to come and speak on the virtues my aunt has demonstrated as a servant of the public for the 40 years. And then he read a letter from President Obama commending her on a job well done. At that she wiped tears from her eyes-and I have to say I did too. I think maybe most stirring was the presentation of a flag and salute by officers of the American Legion.
That's our family with blue dog Democrat Congressman DonnellyI don't care about political affiliation. I call things as I see them. I think I have a very keen insight on political maneuvering, jockeying, issues of integrity and duplicity. I am probably most critical of my own Republican party because I see tremendous results of power corrupting and whole communities, whole citizenry, suffering because party is treated more important than the public. Actions based on heady, untested, principles are being crammed down our throats with little thought to their ramifications, maybe true on both sides of the aisle. We are at a desperate loss of true public servitude in our country and I don't believe it will ever come back.
6 comments:
What a great story. Service like your great aunt provided was once a hallmark of our nation. It is sad it is increasingly being lost.
One of the things I admire about you is how you have your convictions but do not take sides for sides' sake. Sidesmanship is ruining things.
Clearly your aunt was a princess among public servants.
this is your "other side of the aisle" friend.....don't give up I have a feeling good people on both sides of the aisle will ultimately prevail....perhaps just short of revolution but they will prevail
Thanks for the comments.
Anon-"short of a revolution", could be-but who has ever heard of a revolution based on common sense?
Just before the "crazies" foment a revolution, calmer heads from the middle will prevail.....We may be witnessing the beginnings of it right now?!
That Obama was moved to write somethng --says a lot for him -- but also her!
That was the promise I saw in him as president--that he wanted to above this whole cut-throat business and just get on with the real work. Unfortunately I think he and I have learned a lot in this adventure...
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