Meeting the Tea Party

I was doing some yard work the other day when this gentleman walked up my driveway. I greeted him with a smile thinking he was the Domino's Pizza man and was lost. He was wearing a bright blue shirt, red hat and black pants, carrying a very large red clip board which I mistook for a pizza. It was 85 degrees outside and I felt sorry for the lost deliveryman who introduced himself as a candidate for the State House of Representatives.

Before I continue let me describe our yard. We still have our Obama signs, two peace flags, and our vehicles are plastered with anything that smacks of being liberal. We also have the current crop of Democratic candidates' bumper stickers. We do not hide our politics or beliefs.

Mr. Candidate introduced himself and I thought it best to tell him that I knew our present representative, the incumbent and his opponent plus I really like the job he was doing. This did nothing to stop Mr. Candidate. He starts by telling me. He will lower my taxes. I replied that I am more concerned about investing in our future right now than lower taxes. He replied that he will cut waste in government.

I asked him which waste he would cut and he told me that he believed in "servant leadership." Now I knew a little about that, and had even taken a Dale Carnegie course years back so I told I had read Robert Greenleaf's book. I then asked him how he would translate the philosophy into the legislative procedure since he will be one of many legislators. His reply was that he believed in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I had the feeling he wanted to change the subject.

Our conversation continued and it became clear that his life, liberty and pursuit of happiness was a personal responsibility. I could come up with no examples of a situation in which he thought the government should intervene other than gay marriage, abortion and building roads. Then there was one more when a fire engine raced by he thought that would be another situation. He opposes unemployment compensation, job training, immigration reform, healthcare, public transportation, and the list goes on.

Most of Mr. Candidates answers were one line clichés and when asked a direct question or challenged, he would say government is too big. Although he also told me the Clinton's are corrupt, G.W. Bush did not grow the size of government, Reagan did not have deficits, and the current recession was the fault of too much regulation on industry.

He took down my name and promised to get back to me with my questions he could not answer. He also promised to check out my statement that Reagan ran up a deficit and would get back to me. He gave me his literature, a small card with tiny print and an imposing picture.

The literature piece covered the big three, he was going to lower taxes, improve schools, and create jobs. He quotes Lincoln's Gettysburg speech, the part about inalienable rights, and life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. I wonder if he knows Lincoln suspended habeas corpus and instituted a draft? Then there is the kicker. He promises to bring fiscal responsibility back so private industry can once again thrive in our state.

That evening I went to the family homeless shelter where we often volunteer. When I arrived there were eight or nine little girls under the age of ten waiting for me in a line. They each wanted to give me a hug and check under my cap to see if any hair started to grow on my bald head. I played with them for a while and made sure they all got a good meal from the volunteers who had donated the evening's supper. I wonder just which one of these little girls Mr. Candidate feels is responsible for her homelessness? Which one does he want to deny healthcare too? Which one does he not want to educate? Which one should not have clothing, food, or shelter?

Mr. Candidate, Servant Leadership has an important proponent which you do not understand, since I think you have not read Robert Greenleaf's books or essays. The servant leader must first respect those he leads. He must truly care for those he is leading. Robert Greenleaf said that caring for persons is histhesis, that this is the rock upon which a good society is built. Mr. Candidate, I wait for you to get back to me, if ever but my bet is that you will not. My bet is that you have learned nothing more than a few clichés and feel that makes you qualified to serve. Mr. Candidate I invite you to come with me to the family homeless shelter to learn about serving.