When we bought our house, we were focused on getting our sons into a school district with great schools. And that meant paying 20% more for a house versus neighbor school districts. It was a stretch for us (and still is), but worth it for our kids education. That investment paid off, but I wonder if it will for the parents and their kids following us.
Every parent in America wants their kids to have more, and to achieve more, than the generation before. That is part of the American dream. We also teach them fairness. On the soccer field, when they are 6 years old, when they are playing sports, or competing in band festivals, scholarly events and all other competitive events, we teach them fairness as a core principle. We also emphasize it in sharing toys and turns and other things with their siblings. Fairness is even taught in household chores, allowing for the abilities of each child by their age, their relative maturity and, in our case, their disabilities (er, read that more politically as their "differences"). This is, I think, a core American Value. We don't have royalty, we don't have "upstairs:downstairs" perspectives. American is an egalitarian country where any person, who works hard enough, can move up the economic ladder.
So, as a Dad sitting here in the suburban wonderland, I wonder if the system is like described by either political party at their national Conventions. The land of the free, the home of the brave, a melting pot, where every child can grow to be the apple of their parents eye or even president, governor, congress member, or business owner. Or, is the game rigged? Despite my political perspective, this isn't an easy issue to diagnose. My suspicion, is that it is rigged. But with all my heart, I hope it isn't.
The challenge for all of us. Tea Party, Republican Moderate, Moderate Democrat or Liberal on the far left, is that I am no longer sure that any of us have the control our country's forefathers set in motion. Money seems to matter much more than ideas, principles or character. I personally like President Obama, but I would also look at a Republican candidate that was true to and consistent in beliefs. Next election, we could see a democrat who moves around to meet the desires of their base (Etch a Sketch) the same way that I think Gov. Romney does. Like Bernstein ( a la Woodruff and Bernstein of Watergate fame) said. "Follow the money". And in all political perspectives (left - right), there are larger money interests favoring a direction that might not be the best thing for our country. I can give a large gift (of my family's resources) to either campaign and not move the election the way a Union or a Oil interest can move things.
And at the very local suburban level, I wonder where the money is moving things. The local Wawa closing I mentioned last time in this blog was a ultimately a political decision. For the financial health of our Township, I believe it was a bad choice to not let them expand their store to a more profitable format, especially given the loss of a gas station on that same intersection. Now we have another empty business store front on a key intersection in our township instead of a tax revenue bonus for our kids, our safety, our community.
Tip O'Neill (not my favorite politician by a long shot) did say something very true, all politics are local. What happens in the bosom of suburbia is small and seemingly unimportant versus a presidential campaign. I think that's an incorrect assumption. Its more about TV and other media revenue investments. Its about the money. Follow the money and you can find an awful twist on the suburban America (Politicians often call us the "middle class") dream.
So - I try to vote in every election, even the small local ones. Do I pick left or right? Not at all the point. I pick. And try to stay informed - for the school board, Township Supervisors, County officials. And the State government and the Federal Offices. Its ALL important.
If you are in the bosom of suburbia, don't be more complacent than those on the far left and right. Because that's where the money is. They will win while we are staying home watching the TV. And that is us, giving away our future. And that would be a terrible tragedy.
Be involved, be concerned. Follow your values. Then who ever wins, will be those chose by our community and by those funding the election.
