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The Politics of Snow Shoveling

Feb 26, 2008
7 comments

We have snow again here in Chicago, several inches, as part of a record-setting winter. And that event (and going out to dig out from it) reminds me of a story about snow shoveling and plowing I have been thinking about throughout this winter season.

First, Democrats on the whole are good winter neighbors. They go out and shovel driveways and sidewalks, not only for their own convenience, but to benefit others: so that children can walk to school, for example. If there is an aged or ill neighbor, they might shovel his or her sidewalk too.

Independents are more narrow-minded: they take care of their own. They shovel the spaces they need just for themselves--but that is it.

But Republicans are by far the worst! They shovel the snow off their own personal private (three-car) driveway, vigorously. (Or more likely hire Halliburton to do it). But they put their snow onto common rights of way (like the street) or onto their neighbor's driveway.

Having them nearby makes things worse for you. You don't want to live next to a Republican in the winter.

If these things aren't true, at least those are my own personal political stereotypes.

But the way this political season is going is challenging my opinions. In particular, Hillary Clinton seems to me to be campaigning more like a Republican with each passing day, desperately taking tactics from Karl Rove and other "dirty politics" experts. She wants (or she and Bill want) so much to regain a grip on the reins of power that she is indifferent to the effect on the Democratic party, and most particularly, its newest generation of supporters. Not to mention the nation at large.

I am pretty disgusted! And wish she would just resign, retire, give it up. Her campaign is spoiling not only her own image, but really the image of what it means to be a Democrat. And it is reinforcing the most cynical, negative stereotypes of what American politics and politicians are all about.

It is time for her to step aside. Well past time. Her desperate claims and charges are insulting and embarrassing. We have had so much poisoning of the public spirit in recent years. It is tragic that she is adding to that unfortunate legacy.

Anyhow, that is just about how I am feeling on this snowy Chicago morning.