When entering Augusta County politics, back in 1995, it was not my intention to go against the grain of the people’s longstanding beliefs. And I don’t think I ever did. My votes were always for keeping our taxes low while working to improve our communities through investments in schools, libraries, parks, water systems, industrial development, and rural roads.
How could I not? My formative years had me at Deerfield Elementary, the last year of Churchville High and the first four years of Buffalo Gap High School. I bailed hay, put sheep on their bottoms for shearing, picked rocks, painted roofs and chicken houses.
I was the ‘60s equivalent of today’s gathering of migrants at 7-Elevens in urban areas hoping to be chosen for work by a laborer-needing employer. Only it was Hooton’s Grocery in rural Deerfield, and as a small, skinny kid, I was chosen only when I was the only one left.
I attended the Baptist church, and from my junior year at Gap until joining the Navy at 18, I worked at WABH radio in Deerfield. During the school year, I was the only person at the station from sunrise to sunset on weekends. It was a Christian/country station where half the day was evangelists preaching the word. I heard the Word and was better for it.
I was, and am, a red-letter Christian. Which for me includes being a good steward of my responsibilities and a caring person for my neighbor.
After initially being a staunch Republican, I felt its tribal sense of “us against them” was not my learning. I associated more with ‘60s Catholic Priests fighting for peace and black Baptist preachers marching for civil rights. I was forced to think about the cost and purpose of forgiveness from Victor Hugo’s portrayal of a bishop, choosing to give silver candlesticks to Jean Valjean rather than choosing to punish him for theft.
In its truest form, Christianity is not for the weak.
Democrats, as with all associations including churches, were and are imperfect. But like the Sunday School song, “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world”, I believe the Democrats care about everyone: white, black, red, brown, gay, straight, trans, urban, rural, Muslim, Buddhist, sick, healthy, primitive Baptist and procedural Episcopalians. No exceptions.
Of course, the New Testament notes our responsibilities in taking care to ensure we are good stewards in our owner’s absence. And, in particular, to remember to those “much is given, much is expected”. No where in the Bible does it suggest: “to the victor belongs the spoils.” Barbarism is the opposite of Christianity.
So, this is who I am. And though being a Democrat has cost me politically, and socially, I am my father’s son, and cannot pretend to be something I know is contrary to my guiding “red letters.”
I worked very hard for 22 years to be a good steward of Augusta residents’ resources and aspirations. Yes, I was the skunk at the Republicans’ dinner party, but still the power of persistence and hard facts yielded a period of successful bipartisanship.
Our government operates best when there is “iron sharpening iron” not iron never meeting resistance. The last time the federal government had a balanced budget (1997), Democrat Bill Clinton was president, and Republican Newt Gingrich led the House.
With just Republicans in charge of Augusta County, we have had an unconscionable growth in taxes without purpose. “Taxation without representation” fueled a revolution. “Taxation without justification” leaves all of us without enough to fuel our trucks.
All of this is being written with hope of you putting aside your dislike for my allegiance and that of one other “dumocrat.” This one time, and no one needs to know, I am asking you to trust in me, by joining me in voting for Beth Macy. Who has learned politics by investigating political abuses, not by schmoozing the party bosses.
This is instead of Ben Cline, a career politician who has morphed into a party-line pet rock.
I have tried to be flexible and appreciative when a Republican was helpful. During my time on the Board, I endorsed State Sen. Emmett Hanger, wrote a column in support. I appreciated Del. Steve Landes for his willingness to help, particularly on sponsoring “Rural Rustic Roads” legislation. But Cline was always inattentive whether in a group meeting with all local state representatives or singly when going to Richmond.
It sticks in my mind, when in Richmond to gain some legislative support, Cline’s priority, and multiple requests, was for a free evening dinner at Augusta taxpayers’ expense. This while keeping the state’s per diem.
President Trump can have a better final two years when needing to yield a bit to find common ground with people who have different priorities. This rather than the pandering adoration of groveling conservative backsliders.
Clinton and all of us were better for it, and so can we and Trump.
Elect Beth Macy (or at least give her 40 percent).
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