Politics, witches, and Bourbon
This is the last column I will write before Election Day. It seems I should write something about politics, probably the presidential election. After all, every ad that can be bought lists the faults of one candidate or the other. I get texts and emails that are filled with disinformation that was sent from who knows where. No matter how hard you try, it is almost impossible to escape politics right now.
In all my years of owning a newspaper I cannot recall endorsing a presidential candidate. The reasons are simple. If you own a small-town newspaper you rely on everyone to make it a commercial success. You need advertising and support from every Democrat, Republican and Independent in town.
This is the first election in a dozen years that I have not owned the Donalsonville News. I am free to say what I want and have firmly made up my mind on who I will vote for. At this point, however, I do not think anything I write in an article will make any difference. This election is tight as a tick, and words amongst my few thousand readers will not make any difference at this point.
On the other hand, I could write about how Halloween has become one of our most popular holidays. Over $12 Billion will be spent on this spooky holiday, including $2 Billion on adult costumes and $1.2 Billion for children’s costumes. The costume chosen most often is that of a witch. Americans will also spend $700 Million this year for costumes for their pets. I guess the economy is not quite so bad after all.
I could write about our wonderful time spent in Kentucky this week and the fact that Auburn finally won an SEC game. The weather was great, and the leaves were amazing. We visited Churchill Downs, won (barely) at the Keeneland Racetrack, visited a world-class horse farm, and tasted some bourbons at the distilleries that make Kentucky famous.
I could write about the election and poll workers that are serving in thousands of locations around this country. This year, they are doing so at some personal risk, the result of lingering misinformation spread around the country. In my time in politics, I never met a finer group of people, dedicated to just doing their job, thankless though it may be.
I could write about the increasing lack of respect and decorum shown to opponents by political candidates. I think back to my two-vote win over my worthy opponent for Mayor of Donalsonville, Twynette Reynolds, not so many years ago. After the recount gave me one more vote, she stood in front of the television cameras and reporters and shook my hand and congratulated me on my win. She supported me every day after that, as far as I know. Our leaders could certainly learn something about Twynette’s poise and grace after a heartbreaking election loss.
I could write about the things I was brought up to believe are important. Character. Truth. Honesty. Respect. Honor. Hard work. My parents and grandparents expected this. Demanded this. Nurtured this. Taught this by their own examples.
Along the way, we have drifted away from those things we were taught were fundamental to being Americans. I listen to those that make a public excuse or apology for why they are voting for their candidate of choice. My head drops and shakes. How did we come to this?
Thomas Paine once said that our reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us. George W. Bush spoke the following words. “The future success of our nation depends on our ability to understand the difference between right and wrong and to have the strength of character to make the right choices.”
When I vote in this my 14th election, I will not waver. The lessons I was taught about justice and truth and dignity as a child remain intact. My grandfather and father would be proud of me, I believe. I am certain they would have accepted the result of the upcoming election, no matter who wins. We can agree to disagree. Forget any nonsense about rigged elections.
May the best man or woman win. If the winner is not your choice, then pause for a minute and think of all those things that you studied along the way. One man, one vote. Winner takes all. The peaceful transfer of power is a cornerstone of American democracy.
I will not tell you who to vote for, but I will tell you I do not have to make any excuses for my candidate. I will vote as I always have, for the candidate I believe possesses the character and moral compass to lead our nation during difficult times. After that, I will pray for the new President, whoever that may be.
Dan Ponder can be reached at [email protected]