Question is – what are they going to do for our country?
To the editor:
What with the goings on and machinations of political figures such as Maxine Waters and Charles Rangel, it reminded me of a bit of my own political involvement some years ago when I was young and all wound up with my involvement in expecting to make a better world for all our citizenry. I had occasion to be in on a political screening meeting for a person who wanted to be a U.S. Congressman and who was looking for our endorsement.
As he presented his case, he looked across the table at me and was telling me what he could do for me if we all endorsed his candidacy. I looked him straight in the eye and stated “Hey Angello, all you’re telling me is what you will do for Joe Curran, bus driver? If you are supported by us and elected to office what the hell are you going to do for our country, that’s what I’d like to hear. That’s the reason I got myself involved in this whole damn political game.”
All my compatriots at that meeting were stunned and needless to say they no longer wanted my participation in another such event, and I do believe that such was the case. I was called by a very prominent office holder at that time “Joe is our Archie Bunker, don’t mind him.” I had a few choice words with that gentleman over that remark and set him straight. “I am no Archie Bunker, and don’t you ever forget it.” Whatever, the screenee went on to become a U.S. Congressman. I went back to driving my bus and life carried on.
I wonder if someone such as myself had barked at Waters and Rangel early in their political career if it might have made any difference in their demeanor. I’ll never know. But what the hell-“I tried.”
Joe Curran
Cape Coral