Inside a Democratic mind
Welcome to the “Blue” part of our new feature Red vs. Blue: Face Off Between Frenemies. As Byron mentioned in his first post, this is a journey for both us, and we’re glad you’ve decided to come along.
Before we dive in to take on the issues of the hour, Byron and I wanted to share a bit about ourselves, so you’ll know where we’re coming from. Byron’s already told you his background and how it has shaped his political philosophy. Now, here’s mine.
Profile of Robert LaFollette in The Home Herald, April 15, 1908
As far back as I can remember, my parents have been politically active. But politics in my family didn’t start with their generation. I grew up on stories my maternal grandfather would tell about his father’s cousin – Robert M. LaFollette. Nicknamed “Fighting Bob,” LaFollette had a long career in politics, serving as district attorney, U.S. Representative, Governor, and U.S. Senator from Wisconsin. He was a Republican who ran for his party’s presidential nomination in 1908, losing in the GOP’s first presidential preference primary to eventual president William Howard Taft (as well as a few others in a crowded field).
He soon came to believe Republicans represented corporate interests over the people, and left the party. He went on to become a member of the Progressive Party, and even served as its standard-bearer during the 1924 presidential election. He lost (Calvin Coolidge won a second term), but he did carry Wisconsin and pulled 17 percent of the national popular vote.
He may not have been president, but LaFollette made a mark on this country. His major battles were over the right for women to vote, the direct election of U. S. Senators, direct primaries, initiatives, referendums, and ecological preservation of federally owned land, most of which became law within 10 years after his death in 1925.
His wife, Belle, was his equal partner in every way, and at a time when women were seen and not heard. He started a newsletter in 1909 that became The Progressive, a magazine still published today and known for its writings on politics, culture, and progressivism.
So, is it any wonder that I was the girl in grade school who begged her parents to stay up into the wee hours, waiting for the final tally in the 1976 Presidential Election? Hey, Ford scared me after he unequivocally declared that Eastern Europe was not under Soviet domination. Even then, it was important to me that a president be smarter than a 5th grader.
My Democratic roots run deep. Not even the venerable conservative institution that is Texas A&M University could shake my belief system that everyone deserves a chance to make their lives better. But some people need more of a helping hand than others. When done right, government can be a perfect vehicle for leveling the playing field, and giving everyone opportunities to reach their goals. (But there are definitely times when government can screw it up, and I’ll talk about those, too.)
I know that life is “dog eat dog.” I just don’t believe our government should be.
Now, Byron plans on ending his posts with a quote from his favorite political geniuses. I promise we won’t be too matchy matchy with dueling political passages, but I have to share with you my favorite quote of today.
“Health should be a right for everyone. [...T]he health care reform bill was highly debated by a lot of people. And I guess I’m glad that a bill was passed,” – Barbara Bush, W’s daughter, on Fox News.
Category: Red vs. Blue
Applause! Bravo! Thank you for sharing your convictions with clarity and substance. (Of course, I happen to share your political views so that may be part of my bias.)
Yikes, a jump from Democrat to Progressive is a far enough jump…but from Republican to Progressive?? Something is very weird about that.
Of course, I don’t hide my opinion on my site in regards to things politically and I appreciate civil debate. I have been meaning to research and compare the modern day progressive with the progressive politics of the early 20th Century….It would seem to me that both versions at least consider the Constitution an “evolving” document that was meant to be drastically changed (and that does not mean that I argue for slavery or women’s rights to be suppressed, obviously those changes were necessary). I find it very disturbing that 20% of our country wants us to have a government modeled more after governments that have obviously failed in comparison.
I don’t think that any party would disagree with you on your point that “everyone deserves a chance to make their lives better.”, I absolutely agree with you and that is where the line “All men are created equal”. An emphasis on the word “created”, as carefully written by Jefferson and co-editors, to push the idea that we are all born into the world equally and have the right to shape our lives the way we want. It is a shame that it is read as just “All men are equal”, giving it a completely different meaning that would imply that people have an entitlement from the government to a equal lifestyle as their neighbor.
To be honest, I think that this exact line is the foundation for the separation between party beliefs and how we interpret it.
Very interesting family history though! You have quite the story behind you!