Back in 1964, I was already a liberal in my political outlook. Lyndon Johnson was running for President and his G.O.P. opponent was Barry Goldwater. Goldwater was the first real conservative to have sufficient support to get the Republican nomination after years of relatively moderate Republican candidates such as Wendell Willkie, Thomas Dewey, Dwight Eisenhower and the youthful Richard Nixon. He countered claims that his brand of conservatism was too "extreme" with a rousing speech at the 1964 G.O.P. convention in which he said that "extremism in defense of liberty is no vice."
Anyway, a few friends of mine felt that Goldwater's politics were more suited to the nineteenth than to the twentieth century. We had some bumper stickers made up reading "Goldwater in 1864" and ran an ad for them in the Village Voice. One of us worked in a very junior capacity for the New York Times and got a short article about what we were doing into that paper. We sold about a dozen of them, and the business name we established (and paid taxes on) was "Politicklers." And so, I am resurrecting that name for my political comments posted on this blog.
Keep your poems, articles, stories, theories, whatever, coming and they will appear here! This issue, beside Politickler #4 and a poem I wrote last month, contains an old 2003 short story by Sid Bolotin which was rejected as inappropriate by his community magazine back then. Enjoy!
Jack Lippman
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LOIS IN LOVE
Sid Bolotin
Lois played out the last bridge hand of the afternoon with her usual skill and announced, “Small slam, bid and made. Thanks, girls. Now I have to scoot home to make Jack his favorite supper. He’s coming over tonight for a romantic evening.”
The other card players in the clubhouse of Cascade Lakes were also departing to return to their homes after the usual Tuesday afternoon bridge games, and Lois felt delicious to be part of this retirement scene in Florida. She and her new boyfriend, Jack, had recently moved from up North into this gated, retirement community. She as a single woman from New England, he as a widower from New York whose wife had suddenly died shortly after they had bought their retirement home.
“You know, Adele,” Lois said as she walked to her car arm-in-arm with her new best friend, “I’m so glad that I joined the Singles Club. That’s where I met Jack and fell in love with him. I’ve never been so happy. At 55 I’m one of the younger people here, but this is a wonderfully accepting community in which I can make a new life.”
“I’m delighted for you, Lois. Everyone comments on what a lovely couple you two are. Your pale skin, bright, green eyes, and long, reddish hair compliment his olive, tanned complexion. He’s only slightly balding and a very trim 65. You both play tennis and are physically fit. He was so, so sad before he met you. Now, you two can rebuild your lives together. I know that you told me that you’re all alone because your family died off so unexpectedly.”
After dropping Adele off at her house, Lois drove into her driveway, parked her car, and sat staring through the windshield. “God,” she mused quietly to herself, “I’m so lucky. My whole life has turned around. I feel like I belong, that I’m finally in the right place. It’s taken me so many years. The decision that I made five years ago was the right one, after all. No one knows me here, and I’ve made a brand new start. Jack loves me, and I certainly love him. He doesn’t probe with lots of questions, so my earlier life can remain a closed book. Like me, he’s just happy that we’ve found each other.”
Five years earlier in the therapist’s office the loud wailing bounced off the soundproofed walls: “I can’t live like this any more, Dr.Myers. My mental anguish gives me no peace. I’m in turmoil all the time. I can’t take it anymore. I’m ready to commit suicide rather than continue this way. Talk-therapy and spiritual counseling have done nothing. I’m stuck with who I am.”
“Well,” Dr. Meyers said, “maybe it is time for you to take the final step. That probably would be best for you. With my continued support you should be able to cope. And, hopefully you’ll flourish. We’ve talked about this for a long time. You’ve certainly exhausted all other possible avenues. It’s worth a shot in my opinion. But the final choice has to be yours.”
“ I know that, Dr. Meyers. You’ve been great this past year, and I believe that I’m physically and mentally ready. I know that my surgeon, Dr. Zarren has spoken to you, and he’s in agreement.”
“What name will you settle on for the new you, Larry?”
“Lois, I’ll be Lois. That was my mother’s name; so I’ll be Lois after my sex-change operation.”
*** *** ***
Delray Beach at Eleven P.M.
It is evening and the moon has risen
Making the ocean shimmer in its light.
Beach bound lovers camped on wooden chaises
Which by day are cushioned, but not at night
Watch the ever moving sky above them
Change from light to darkness as cloud banks pass
And they get splinters, and they get splinters.
JL
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Politickler #4
In regard to Walter Isaacson’s book, “Steve Jobs,” appearing in bookstores this morning, I have read that Isaacson discusses Jobs’ relationship with Barack Obama. Jobs felt Obama was headed for a one-term presidency. None the less, according to Isaacson, he still offered to help the President get re-elected. In addition, he urged Obama to adopt a more pro-business stance, decrease regulations and improve education by exerting pressure on teachers’ unions. It strikes me as odd that Jobs would make these rightward leaning conservative suggestions to a Democratic President he was willing to support rather than turn to the Republican Party which traditionally backs these kinds of things.
Although I haven’t read Isaacson’s book yet, it occurs to me that Jobs perhaps recognized the terminal state to which pandering to the far right wing has brought the Republican Party. At least, in meeting with Barack Obama, he had man with a decent head on his shoulders to talk to. Can you imagine Steve Jobs sitting down and having a serious discussion with some of the present leaders in the race for the G.O.P. nomination? Perhaps Romney or Huntsman, but certainly none of the others! I cannot. I suppose that is why he chose to offer his support to Barack Obama. The Republican Party in the United States has ceased to be a serious party. The fact that it is possible that the G.O.P. may elect a President and control both Houses of Congress in 2012 may be because the American electorate is no longer a serious electorate either. But that will change.
In urging the President to become more pro-business, Jobs possibly recognized that while the Democratic Party is not the party of the very, very wealthy, it certainly is comfortable with the business community and the denizens of Wall Street. They give money to it. After all, it was the Democrats who bailed out the banks, brokerage houses and auto makers. Does this sound like the Socialists some in the G.O.P. seem to think they are?
Despite my prediction of the ultimate disappearance of the G.O.P., we will still continue to have a two party system in this country, but the Democratic Party will become the party of the establishment, generally pro-business and no longer beholden to the remnants of the labor movement. Those we call Republicans today will become a minor party, espousing Ayn Rand Tea Party type ideas, and wandering in the wilderness seeking to find a place on the political landscape. Traditional establishment Republicans, like George Romney, will have long since become Democrats.
The “other” party will rise from the left and be based on what remains of the labor union movement, the young radicals who are attempting to “occupy” Wall Street and everyday Americans who are feeling the pain of our economic downturn in many ways and, recognizing what the Democrats will have become, will look beyond that party directly to the Federal Government to give them a “hand” in solving their problems. All that has to occur for this to come to pass is the arrival of legitimate and honest leadership to take the helm of what is now a rag-tag collection of angry people. Seeking and accepting this “hand” will not make them socialists. This new party may adopt an old and respectable name, one that another new party used 152 years ago when the Democratic Party also failed to successfully deal with problems which were, like today, tearing America apart. They may very well call themselves Republicans.
Unbelievable? I thought enough of these ideas to write them down. Give it some thought.
***
And one more idea. Most of us agree America faces problems today. Some people blame the government for these problems, seeing over-regulation, high taxes and too many “entitlement” programs as the cause of them. They join a Tea Party group.
Other people blame the economic system, particularly banks, Wall Street and corporations, for causing our problems. They show up at an “Occupy Wall Street” rally.
Right now, Americans are “choosing up sides.” But since many of us actually approve of necessary government regulation, taxing those who can afford it, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and at the same time recognize and approve of the necessity for Wall Street, the banks and our corporate business structure to operate as the heart and soul of our free enterprise system, perhaps Pogo was right when he said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Which side are you on? Both, maybe?
JL
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JL
JL
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