He grabs your hand enthusiastically and looks you in the eye and says in the most convincing tone possible, “nice to meet you Doctor.”
So it was at the Lincoln Day dinner given by the Republican Party of Jefferson County, (Louisville) KY. Staci and I were invited guests of the May’s, friends whom we would support anytime, anywhere. Shellie May just happens to be the recently appointed chairwoman of the republican party. Wow, who knew this humble mom, nurse and tireless supporter of children was so powerful and influential. The friendly sweatshirt wearing nurse who bandages bike racers after they stumble, stands on the stage commanding a room of charcoal suited millionaires, congressmen and Senators.
After months of writing words on the internet, I have strived mightily to avoid controversy, except, of course, the berating of poor health choices and silliness in medical decision making. How can a doctor who barely knows his party affiliation and remains unsure on the right religious symbols to espouse, write words on a first exposure to the political arena without any dissension?
As invited guests of the chairwoman, we nervously sit in the front section with a pastor of one of America’s largest Christian churches, Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell’s right hand man, and congressmen. We watch as one candidate after another thumps the podium for their allotted three minutes. Can they tell I watch Jim Lehrer and not Fox news?
One especially over weight and red faced candidate screams from the podium, “this country does not need a turn to the left or a turn to the right, we need a U-Turn to GOD!” “Amens” are muttered from more than few. I watch and listen with this incredible sense of discovery. Like the rural boy who walks into Yankee Stadium for the first time and his mouth stands agape with awe, I stand educated in life. These four hundred strong republican power brokers are serious and they really mean business. Certainty is palpable in this room.
Religion is difficult for this observer of science. Morality, compassion, peace and tolerance seem not to require symbols, but yet, Republicans seem so sure of the right symbols. And, it is easy to squirm when orator after orator bash homosexuality while the phenotypically gay waiters serve the tables.
In the practice of medicine and in life itself, discovery is one of the major creators of happiness and fulfillment. After observing an evening of Republican revelry, this apolitical, unsure of the answers and Lehrer-watching doctor stands educated and enlightened on the political process.
One who shares the same world wonders how they are so certain of all the answers?
JMM
4 replies on “A doctor discovers the political process…”
They're politicians, John! It's the nature of the beast, republican OR democrat. All the same.
And for what it's worth, the rotund candidate (that's putting it mildly) who called for the U-Turn was and will remain a fringe candidate. Most Kentuckians will never hear his name and fewer will remember it. But it's a big tent and everybody is welcome in the primary season. On the other hand, the front runner (or at least the candidate with the momentum) in that same Senate race is a small, thin and very cerebral man whose politics are libertarian rather than doctrinare or theocratic. If he wins you won't hear much bashing of anybody from him, except for the people of either party determined to spend us into oblivion or servitude.
VBM
VBM,
One can only hope for less doctrine, less theocracy and more cerebral leaders.
It also seems that those who covet power the most are least well suited for leadership.
To fulfill my life experience, it would be an interesting contrast to experience the democratic version of the Lincoln dinner.
JMM
An entertaining read!
If you compare the institutions of religion and politics, you will realize that they play the same game. Generalizations, vague promises, and supreme moral authority targeted to the masses. Unfortunately, the politician who refutes lock-step and avoids corruption finds as many people at his rally as the Sunday service of a priest who knows that his religion doesn't have all of the answers.