03/28/2024
Thoughts While Shaving
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Thoughts While ShavingNFL score: Patriots 25 – Bills 6

As I observe the political ads today and think back over the years, the campaigns get more personal and so much of it, we have no idea who made the purchase, on TV, regional newspapers and slicks that flood our mailboxes.  No doubt, party plays a huge role in tone and content.

Compare when I was a candidate (first time) in the early 70s.  It was local, (county commissioner), had 13 candidates for 3 seats, nearly all were of the same political persuasion.  No TV, no slick ads in the mail, a little local newspaper and a little local radio and a great deal of one- on-one personal contact, lots of BBQ meals and handshakes.  I never consulted with party, not sure I knew who the local political chairman was.  There was no attempt to intervene by party leaders, just one-on-one contact with the voters.  All were elected at-large and served all.   Worked then!

We had meetings in various settings, including churches, and other sites around the county, in addition to the one-on-one campaigning at community stores, and other gathering places throughout the county.  Actually, recall several of us riding together to some events.  Not likely today.

Actually, the campaigning was more fun than serving.  There were some places you stopped at numerous times, some once was enough.

As I reflect, those were some of the best days of my life.  I do not recall ever attacking any candidate and I was seldom attacked.  Did disagree with some, but not personal.  It was issue by issue, at least attempted to keep it on that level.

Happy I ‘flushed my system’ of the desire to continue after 8 years.  Served with good folks and enjoyed.  Did not always agree, but never a “knock down, drag-out battle.”  Vote, move on and deal with the consequences.  Not perfect candidates or system, but not bad.

The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.  George Washington

Economic freedom cannot be sacrificed if political freedom is to be preserved.  Herbert Hoover

The most important political office is that of the private citizen.  Louis D. Brandeis

robert g hester

rgh4612@gmail.com

910-876-2322 

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