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I’m recovering from a political event in Branson. I often find myself drained after these types of engagements.

My mind drifts back to my childhood - I’m five years old and Ronald Reagan’s debate with Jimmy Carter is fresh in my mind. Somehow my mind seems neither young nor impaired by lack of understanding. It’s clear to me.

My father meets me at the bottom of the stairs of our Los Angeles suburbian home. We’d just moved from the inner city and it’s early in the morning. He looks me in the eye and says, “You’re the man of the house - remember who you are - take care of my mother.” I know exactly what he’s talking about - I ask, “Dad are you a spy?”

“If I was I couldn’t tell you”" responds pops before walking out the door in a three-piece-suit to catch his flight…..
I know everything about where he’s going - the democratic mecca in a world surrounded by Soviet control - Berlin. I’ve watched James Bond.
In the den there is a library which I find conforting. I discover the “Republic of Plato” and can out-debate my parents in a couple of years. I’m too ignorrant to understand that I couldn’t possibly understand the complexity of the material. Too dumb to play stupid - Socrates corrupted yet another youth.

I’ve learned the art of political debate - there’s no going back.

It’s nearly 30 years later and I’m recovering from a political event. I don’t always enjoy these. In fact, it’s often hostile territory I’m walking into. Ironically, I’m not  skeptical at all nor am I a conspiracy theorist. Government bribery, when I see it - shocks me - irritates me - compels me.  This is the great danger we face today - professional lobbyist and government policies that enable wholesale politicking. It irks me when I see it and I know soon I’ll have to report it.
I’m a believer. I believe in democracy and that citizen participation in the democratic process can change our nation. I only get angry because I believe.

I know who I am and I understand what our nation could be -even as ai walk through the valley of death - political campaign season.