Good for you, my father in law, sister in law and half (a little exaggerated) my wifes family were front and center at each of the debates and Bush's first and second term.
Thank you, Coach.
Several years ago I started getting involved politically. I have lobbied at both the federal and state level on issues pertaining to education and education funding. I have met and talked with scores of politicians in the last couple of decades. What I have discovered is that most are very accommodating and will listen to what you have to say because that's their job.
Over the years, I have participated in a multitude of candidate endorsements. As is often the case with those of us in education and the labor movement, we are somewhat short on funds for campaign contributions unlike the big corporations and the likes of, say, the Koch brothers, so we canvass and phone bank like crazy to support candidates who are on board with our issues and concerns. I guess you could say, in effect, we are among the 99%.
Attending events, such as being in the front row when President Obama came to Portland in 2010 to speak at Governor Kitzhauber's campaign event at the Memorial Colosseum and going to election night parties is a way to reward those of us who volunteer our time in support of the political process.
On another note Coach, both my son and son-in-law are career military. My son-in-law has been deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. My son is retired now and works in a contracted government position doing work similar to what he did before he retired from the military. He travels frequently to African countries and cities which are sometimes rather unsafe places for Americans, particularly those working for the U.S. government. My uncle and cousin were in the diplomatic corps and were deployed to some less then friendly countries in the course of their careers. I tell you because of your and my exchange in another tread.
