Uncle Larry

My wife and I have always considered ourselves Republicrats. Registered Independents who vote in every election. We supported the Republicans conservative fiscal management and the Democrats more liberal social agenda.

My father was a small-town businessman and politician. He served several terms as city council president and a term as President of the Nebraska Association of Business and Industry. He was a life-long active Republican. My uncle Larry was the business agent for the Kansas City / St. Joseph sheet metal workers union and a staunch and stubborn Democrat. They had very different upbringings, valued different things, and lived different lifestyles. The only thing they really had in common was that they married sisters. As far back as I can remember whenever they were together, which was quite often, they talked politics. It was spirited, lively conversation that always seemed to me, through the eyes of youth, to never solve a thing.  It could go on for hours and span over summer days of fishing together in Minnesota or winter visits to my grandmothers. I paid little attention to what was being said, and I can’t really remember much of the content.

Believe me when I say Uncle Larry was a tough cookie and dad could verbally put anyone I ever knew right in their place, especially a snarky teen boy like me. Mom might yell a little, but dad would give me these talks, many of which I remember fifty years later. So, dad and uncle Larry were both well equipped to beat the other up, in one way or another, yet they never did. They did not name call, bully or threaten. They worked together to put the boat in the water, clean the fish, and help look after grandma. Then they resumed their political discussions. 

Now some probably never read past the first sentence and thought “republicrat” what an idiot. Perhaps those readers are younger and all they have known is this country divided, loud angry voices and hostility between neighbors, friends and even family. Maybe they consume all their news from one source and trust that it is true. It isn’t.

For the first time in my life, I chose to join a political party. And my choice may alienate some of my friends and neighbors. But when I look for leadership of our nation, I start at the top. I am very disappointed in Donald Trump. I believe my dad, or my uncle would have been better suited for the job. It seems in this era we must choose sides. I chose.

Sorry Dad. 

Bill Owen

Harlan, Iowa