Tuesday, November 6, 2007

He's a well respected man about town


I love The Kinks.


Today is election day here in the Coastal Empire (that's what they call this region, by the way).


Have you ever tried to explain politics and government to a four-year-old?


Yesterday, on the way to school, I heard her laughing in the back seat.


"What's so funny?"


"Them. They're funny. They're standing on the street holding signs!" She cackled with glee, and pointed to some supporters for one of Guyton's mayoral candidates standing at the crossroads with political signs.


"Why are they doing that, Mommy?"


"Well, tomorrow is election day, and they want people to vote for the guy on the signs to be mayor."


"What's an election?"


"An election is where people get together and pick who they want to be in charge of government."


"What's government?"


"The government is made up of a group of people who we pick to make the laws and make sure everyone follows those laws."


"What's a law?"


"A law is a rule. You know how you have rules in school so that everyone gets along? That's what laws are like. They help everyone get along. And if you don't follow the rules, just like school, you get punished."


"Oh."


I breathed a sigh of relief, hoping we could make it to school without anymore questions about anything. It was almost 8 a.m., I still hadn't showered yet, and I'd overslept the alarm. I really didn't want to talk anymore. No such luck.


"Hey, mommy."


"Yes."


"Is a government like a mommy and daddy?"


"Well, no not exactly. You see, I'll always be your mommy, but a mayor only gets to be mayor for four years, unless everyone votes to have him stay longer."


"Can I vote for a new mommy?"


"Sorry, kiddo, it doesn't work that way. You're stuck with me."


"That's not fair."


Trying to be funny, I say "Yes, well, that's why a family is a benevolent dictatorship, not a democracy or a republic."


"Mom, what's a democracy?"


Thankfully at that moment, we pulled into the school parking lot, and I didn't have to try and discuss civic theory anymore. I would hate to try and explain some of the mayoral candidates for the City of Savannah.


Admittedly, it's been a pretty quiet campaign. All except for Jerry Sammons, who is running on a platform of legalizing marijuana, and who also promises to lead marches in the streets protesting gas prices if elected. He also is apparently a convicted felon who claims that he fought with the Contras in Nicaragua. When asked by a reporter about that claim, and why he would be fighting in the jungle with the Contras, Mr. Sammons' response was:


"Because I'm a patriot."


If I could vote, and lived in Savannah, I might vote for him. Just because it would make the next four years of city politics a hoot. Of course, TFYO might end up asking:


"Mom, what's Nicaragua?"

7 comments:

Dumdad said...

"Can I vote for a new mommy?"

What a wonderful thing to think and say!

But, gulp, if our children get that sort of vote where would that leave us?

Every four years or so we'd have to campaign to keep them.

"Vote Dumdad - no restrictions on computer use, sweets on request and you can go to bed when you want!"

P.S. I love The Kinks.

Jo Beaufoix said...

Hee hee, TFYO is hilarious.
And I love the Kinks too. Ray Davis is a genius.

Mya said...

I don't think I could cope with all those questions at 8am in the morning. Do you think perhaps a career in political punditry awaits TFYO?

Mya x

Susan said...

"benevolent dictatorship"? No wonder the TFYO is a genius! Great post. I am so happy there aren't any elections in our state this fall. We generally do a pretty good job of making ourselves the laughing stock of the nation. I have said to my husband several times in the past few weeks to enjoy this fall, becuse a year from now we are going to be inundated with those dreadful political ads...

Jo Beaufoix said...

Jen, come and pay when you get chance. I have an award for you.

the rotten correspondent said...

As far as your mayoral candidtate goes -

"Mommy, what's indictment?"

or impeachment

fill in the word.

Did he win, by the way?

Unknown said...

"Can I vote for a new Mommy"? Lord, I love that kid!