Give Thanks For: The Good Old Days

As Thanksgiving approaches it is difficult to think of much to be thankful for in the world of politics. The dismal situation with our deadlocked Congress and almost comical antics of the recently-ended Texas Legislative Session make even the seasoned political observer shake their head in disgust. I suppose if one wanted to dwell on the negative, then I am thankful I am not a Republican.

What I am thankful for, though, is the fact that I am old enough to have worked in the Democratic Party during its heyday in Texas, the days when all the mud-slinging and political rhetoric took place during the party primary election. Once that was over the winners went to work for those who elected them, not for those who contributed most.

I spent sixteen years in county government during the final years of Democratic dominance. Those days you could walk into a legislator's office not knowing or caring if they were Democrat or Republican; they were just legislators, ready to listen to a voter.

Today many are thankful for a two-party system in Texas but are frustrated at the partisan bickering and the prevalence of money in pay-to-play politics. They cannot or will not see the mean spirited attitude the Republican Party has brought to Texas.

Those good old days may be gone; but they are not forgotten by this Democrat and I am thankful to have been a part of them.