Political Affirmation

I smiled to myself as I got in my car to go home today.  A haphazard opportunity allowed me opportunity to spend a few minutes in the same room as one of my heroes this afternoon… and getting into my car I was chuffed to think that she saw her name on Kermit’s bumper.

It was a half an hour that called to mind the political thesis that drives my leaning on the spectrum.  Perhaps it is my recent sense of withdrawal upon completing all five seasons of Upstairs, Downstairs.  Maybe it is the times and my increasing sensitivity to class.  Or maybe it is merely blind adoration… but I believe the greatest litmus test to a person seeking leadership is how they… and the people that work for them… treat others – specifically others from whom they have little to gain.

The seed of this philosophy came in my early twenties upon observing the behavior of two opposing gubernatorial candidates at their fundraisers where I was present to prevent rusty fingerprints.  I suppose I owe my upbringing for such deep felt empathy to the left, but seeing how the Democrats treated the hired help versus the disregard of the Republicans, was one of my first independent political understandings.  I continue to seek and find fascination with the exception… but then there are days like today when that fifteen year old philosophy resonates with truth.

There isn’t much to relate… except that today proved that sometimes meeting one’s hero is validating.  Validating… and not just a little inspiring that someone – some woman who is completely down to earth, with a congenial spirit, a moderate sense of humor can really be someone who goes out to do battle with the seemingly overwhelming evils of this world.  And if that woman who laughed and was gracious and articulate can do those great things… then great things are a possibility for any one of us.  And to leave someone's company after a mere half hour thinking that... methinks that is an indication of a leader indeed.