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As we did literature drops in Lafayette Precinct 2 today, the words to the hymn 'Amazing Grace' reached our ears. Turning the corner onto Wabash Avenue, we saw our al fresco serenader--- Lester H., a 91 year-old former five-term, Republican county sheriff here. We both know Lester well on political and personal levels, or thought we did, at least...
Lester was raking leaves in his front yard, but that wasn't the most noticeable thing about the scene we saw; to our amazement, there were the two "Kerry-Edwards" signs gracing his lawn! Not only were those signs there, but so was an "Obama for US Senate" sign. Tony shouted out a big 'Hi, Sheriff!' as we walked up the sidewalk toward his house, and Lester turned and waved to us, his ever-present briar pipe clutched firmly in his teeth. Needless to say, we were dying with curiousity about the signs, but good manners dictated some small talk first, so we did.
After a few moments, Lester asked us what we were doing, and we told him; this seemed the natural time to ask about the signs in his yard, so I did, and here's what he said:
"Boys, I've been a Republican all my life. I've supported the party in good times and bad, donated money and held office, as you know, but this year I just can't do it. To my way of thinking, my party always stood for doing the right thing, rather than the easy, or popular thing. It stood for not spending more than you took in. It stood for the right of the individual to be as free from government interference as possible. It stood for respecting the rights of the individual."
"Well boys, I don't know how it happened exactly, or even when, but somewhere along the line the wagon went into the ditch. The Republican party today is crippling this nation with debt that even the most tax-happy Democrat never dared dream of. It has supported the most subversive attack on personal liberties in the history of our country. Our President has gotten us into an incredible mess in Iraq, and he won't even admit that that's what it is. Our state party had to go to Maryland to recruit a certifiable lunatic to run for US Senate, which pretty well sums up the state of affairs here in Illinois."
"Boys, I'm still a Republican today, and I'll die a Republican whenever the good Lord decides it's my time, but my party's gone--- it's not just moved a little bit one way or another, it's dead. THAT'S why those signs are there."
He invited us in for coffee, and we accepted. During our conversation at his kitchen table, he told us of several other fairly prominent local Republicans who feel exactly the same way he does. Though the names won't mean anything to you, Tony and I were genuinely shocked when he told us who some of them were.
After we thanked Lester and Mrs. H for the coffee and cookies, we shook hands and left. On the way to the next house, Tony remarked that Lester's choice of a song to sing while raking his leaves seemed especially appropriate. I have to agree, and I can only wonder how many 'Lesters' there are out there across the country.
:D
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