Democrat's Soul

Politics. The word alone evokes a vast array of emotions. In the context of our lives, politics conjures up imagery, memories, opinions, and heated debates, and the word 'politics''”in and of itself'”can't help but be extremely personal. For many, making a party affiliation (no matter the party) can be one of the most defining and memorable moments of one's life. Your own political beliefs are a testament to your character, igniting your passions, strengthening your convictions, and exemplifying what you hold most dear and true in your heart. In Democrat's Soul, we set out on a journey to explore the personal significance that being a Democrat has on one's own history, development, ideologies, relationships, and so much more. Democrat's Soul is not only an exploration, but a commemoration of the nostalgia and pride each party member has for its founders, its fighters, and its future. And what you'll find throughout these pages encapsulates good old Democrat zeal with compelling first-person stories from fellow Democrats, wit and wisdom from some of your favorite leaders, historical tidbits, and photos that illustrate the pivotal moments in Democrat history. Along the way, you'll laugh at clever cartoons, reminisce while reading excerpts from inspiring Democrat speeches, and test your political knowledge with trivia and must-know facts. All in all, this political pick-me-up will entertain, educate, inspire, and give you a tried-and-true view of everything blue. He was honest. He cared about the community. He had good ideas. Tony was my neighbor, and he was running for town council. It was 1975. I was in high school, Richard Nixon had just resigned, and the Vietnam War was coming to a close. America was changing, and my neighbor Tony was going to help make things better. Tony was in his early thirties. He lived in the split-level ranch next door with his wife and their two small children. One of my sisters babysat for the kids. I raked their yard. Tony was excited about becoming a member of the town council. He was running against a longtime incumbent, and he wasn't supposed to have a chance. Everyone but Tony knew that he couldn't win. I remember the night Tony announced his candidacy to my parents. We sat on my parents' back porch as Tony pleaded his case. 'This town needs change,' he told them. 'We need to be represented.' And he was right. We lived in a small, new development in rural northeastern Connecticut. The development and its residents were markedly different from the farms and Yankee farmers surrounding it. The needs of the commuting suburbanites were very different from those of the more entrenched farmers. The suburbanites required more services from the town, and the political landscape was changing. 'Do I have your vote?' Tony finally asked my mom and dad. Without hesitation, my father answered him: 'We don't vote.' Tony was flabbergasted. 'Never?' he asked. 'You've never voted?' They hadn't, and my dad made it clear that they weren't about to start now. Tony looked to my mother for help. She shook her head. Over and over, Tony asked my parents why they didn't vote, and the answer was always the same: it didn't matter. They didn't believe their votes would make a difference. Tony spent the next half-hour trying to convince my parents to register to vote. He talked about civic duty, about responsibility to the community, and about making the town better for their children. Tony talked until my parents were out of polite patience. Finally, Tony made a personal appeal. 'Will you do it for me? Will you do it just to help your neighbor?' They politely refused. Tony finally gave up. Tony ran a great grassroots campaign. He walked door to door and talked to everyone who would listen. He was honest, he cared about the community, and he had good ideas. With each passing day, Tony closed the gap on the longtimeHCI Staff is the author of 'Democrat's Soul', published 2008 under ISBN 9780757306754 and ISBN 0757306756.