Year Ahead

This will be a fascinating year ahead as we prepare to immerse ourselves in the presidential primaries. It’s bringing into sharp focus the stranglehold the two political parties have on our republic and this most important of political contests. There are some very interesting candidates trying to gain footholds, Tom Steyer, Pete Buttigieg, and Andrew Wang amongst them. They seem to be fighting a losing battle though against the entrenched party faithful. I thought at least the democrats would have learned after Hillary hijacked the last nomination from Bernie Sanders but they seem to be lining up with the career politicians versus some guys (like the ones I noted above) who have clear leadership credentials.

This could all end with a choice between the Twitterer in Chief and an avowed Socialist in Sanders. A friend recently shared an interesting article about the political process in which the primaries are identified as the problem in a polarized America. The people most likely to vote in primaries are the most ardent adherents of the far ends of the spectrums, radical liberals for democrats and staunch conservatives for Republicans. At the end of the primaries, for the general elections, when most people come out to vote, we’re left with only choices from the two ends of the spectrum. If we are left with the choice of Sanders or Trump that could be a good thing. Maybe, just maybe (and I’ve always been an optimist) the burgeoning center will finally assert itself and it can serve as a death knell for the existing power of the current political parties. It will certainly signal they have lost credibility with the majority of Americans.

First Draft of the Route

I’m continuing my planning for my cross country trek later this year. I mapped out the roads I want to take in hitting all 48 of the lower states. It was a fascinating process in trying to find state routes that went in the direction I wanted. I avoided areas that I know too well from my Army days, either having lived there or spent a lot of time visiting. That was toughest in my home state of New Hampshire which I know almost too well. I was also reminded of how big those western states are. I’m sure the itinerary will evolve right up to the departure date but I getting genuinely excited about the prospect.

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – inbound granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; PanaGals – female relatives/friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Deckzilla Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with demeanor issues