Shoe leather politics---look out world

The doorbell rang  again, interrupting my writing. 
At the door was a tall, slender young woman, with a clipboard, a smile, and a Bernie Sanders button. My grumbling faded.
She, Madison Rubino,  is a Spanish language education major at the University of Central Oklahoma, a student of one of my colleagues.
I learn that she's one of perhaps 30 people out canvassing Edmond, trying to get a feel for who might be casting votes for him in the Democratic primary. 
"Are you feeling the Bern?" she pleasantly asks,
She's soft spoken, not pushy, and I'm frank about my doubts, but tell her I know people who are voting for Bernie, and not to be discouraged if I'm cynical. I thank her for what she's doing. 
Yes, she's up-to-date on socialism, labels and the odds, but still quietly optimistic. I also learn that she's a member of the Bernie Sanders club, "Bronchos for Bernie," on campus, putting up that booth in the Nigh Center every week--it's the only club on campus specifically supporting one candidate.
I learn from Susan that step-daughter Alexx Harms, and probably others I know, are spending this Saturday canvassing parts of Oklahoma City.
Volunteers. Young people excited about a candidate. Spending shoe leather, not just words. I haven't seen anything like this since Eugene McCarthy and Bobby Kennedy 50 years ago.
Instead of  the anger and insults  and hate and fear from organized supporters of  other candidates this year, there's optimism, dedication, hope. 
Young Americans. That's how elections are won. Shoe leather. Bernie has become a "movement," not a candidate. Beware establishment, as Hillary has already learned.
Us old farts have griped for years about our "apathetic" youth, talking about "when I was their age, we were out there..." etc.  Well, these folks ain't apathetic. 
I don't care if you agree with Sanders' politics or not. If he helps involve our young people, it gives me hope. Thanks,  Miss Rubino.

A "Red" state's flags and impact on America

Among the readers of this blog are citizens of another of the real "red" states, Vietnam, a country with a long history of invasion, colonization, and war, again deeply involved in American history and now culture.
For my generation, Vietnam went from someplace we'd never heard of to a years-long nightmare for the country and thousands of servicemen and families. That country has had a huge influence on America.
Vietnam first gained independence from China in 938 and flourished until the mid-1800s when the French occupied and colonized by the French. Today's flag, with the yellow star on the communist red background, was first used in 1940 in a communist uprising against the French, and later in 1941 against the Japanese in WWII. Ho Chí Minh declared Vietnam independent in 1945 and it became the flag of North Vietnam in 1954 after the French were defeated and the country divided.

The flag of South Vietnam

That's when the yellow flag with three red stripes--for the country's tree main divisions, became the flag of South Vietnam, the one that adorns U.S. veterans'  combat medals today. Fearing Communism and the so-called "domino theory," the US was drawn into the country's conflict less than five years later, to repeat the French mistakes. Those were the years, in the mid- 1960s to the early 1970s,  I lived in fear of the mailbox bringing a draft notice. I wouldn't have run, and came close to serving. Ironically, my final deferment is now a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

With the capture of Saigon, the American retreat,  the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 and the reunification of the country, the red flag now flies,  the red background of the communist part honoring the Paris commune of 1871, symbolizing blood and revolution with the yellow star representing the unity of workers, peasants, intellectuals, youths and soldiers in building socialism.After the war the country languished but initiated free-market reforms beginning in 1986 to become a robust Socialist country, with a burgeoning American tourist trade.

Some American notes on the effects of Vietnam:

• The war divided America politically as much as Vietnam was divided. 
• Thousands of Americans who fought and died in that war are named individually on the stunning Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. 
• The war is still with us. Sen. John McCain, and newly appointed Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel are both survivors and veterans. Servicemen still hate Jane Fonda, "Hanoi Jane."
• Among the healthiest, hardest working, most vibrant and growing populations in America are the Vietnamese. You have to look no further than the "Asian District" of Oklahoma City around Classen and 23rd to see.
• Conclusion: fresh blood  and diversity revitalizes and energizes America. But the costs to both countries has been huge.  

"French" Indochina in 1913--including what is now Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia 

 

Bumper sticker ignorance

I saw it on the back of mammoth $70,000 Cadillac SUV this morning:

"No Socialism Allowed--This is Oklahoma."

I couldn't help but wonder what country the driver was from, considering that this county "allows" all politics, unless I've misread the Constitution.

But the driver was typical white, middle-aged Republican Edmondite probably living in a gated community to keep free thought out, or at least riff-raff like me.

I'm wondering what part of "socialism" he and his ilk want banned from Oklahoma?

How about public schools...the ultimate socialist statement in this country? Even the great conservative Senator Bob Taft from Ohio, who lost the nomination to Ike, said that public schools were socialist and necessary. I'm sure driver pays umpteen thousand dollars a semester to send his children  to lily-white private "Christian" schools were students all conform and opposing ideas are squelched--(obviously following Christ's example). Yes, let's get rid of the public schools and just let the common folks stay ignorant since they can't afford what he pays for tuition.

How about Social Security? It was the start of real socialism in this country, giving hope to millions of hard-working folks who didn't know how to spell retirement, much less plan for it. The driver's probably so well off that he has a million dollars in retirement portfolios, and he'd never draw social security and nobody in his ancestry ever has. Yes, let's do away with social security and just let all those blue hairs and old geezers starve to death.

And Medicare and Medicaid? Obviously socialized medicine for those folks who can't afford big corporate insurance policies and high priced medicines to keep them alive. Let'm die. They're just a drain on the economy anyway.

How about all those "entitlements"? Sure whatever they are, like the county health department and free immunizations for poor people. If people can't take care of themselves like the driver does with his oil depletion allowances and business tax credits and deductions for everything from toilet paper on up, why should he help pay for them?

Then there's the bank and auto  bailout funds...oops, that was started by George Bush wasn't it?

Ok, health care reform? Why should anyone help others stay healthy? Hey, the driver's healthy, has the best of preventative health care and his big Oklahoma corporation pays for it. If others can't afford it, let them just get sick and spread it through all the public schools, before we close them. A good epidemic will ....

Come to think of it, let's get rid of all socialism in government.  We pay taxes and it does stuff for everybody. Like the paved streets the driver's riding on, waiting at the government stoplight, while police cars patrol the speed limit, and fire trucks help protect his home. He turned on the tap this morning and brushed his teeth with government-funded water, and air conditioned his house with government electricity. He makes a lot more than I do, but I helped pay for it. That's socialistic, in my book.

Shouldn't be allowed in Oklahoma.

It tells you something else when the other bumper sticker on his car is for Mary Fallin ...a candidate with the same kind of deep thinking. Now she's opposed to big government and the liberals, but then spends my tax dollars sending out junk mail telling me so, and promising to "take care of the seniors."

Sounds like socialism to me.