I live in a small city in a rural area. The residents call it a city. I'm originally from NY- I call it a small town.
But, each of the small cities and towns here have a summer festival, of some sort or the other. Cherry fest, Corn fest, Strawberry fest, etc.
We have a small Democratic presence- and our unique districting situation leaves us kind of disconnected. But the local leaders decided that we would make our presence known at these small town festivals and parades. Saturdays, in the parks.
So on a rainy Saturday afternoon- I put in about 4 hours. You have to dress appropriately for these things. I'm generally reticent about being retired from the Army- it's just the way I'm built. But for this, I put on an Army T-shirt and my retired pin on a jacket. You see, when I don't wear these things- Tea Partiers tend to question my patriotism. I'm not using having been in the Army for anything but letting them know that not all service members active and retired agree with them. This negates a talking point right away.
We were set up in a small tent directly across from the local Republican party. That contingent included my state representative. We were taking shifts.So it was just me, some candy and a big thermos of hot chocolate. There was a continous light rain- just enough to make you a little miserable if you were out there too long.
Sitting drives me crazy so I spent a lot of time standing, talking to folks and giving out candy for kids( and the occasional adult).
I even went over to help the folks at the Republican tent catch some of their signs and things that blew away in a wind gust.
We talked about sports, the Army all kinds of things- but people were afraid to talk about issues. They were perfectly happy to get their registration forms- or to ask about voter ID. But when we started to talk about Medicare, etc. they started looking over their shoulders. People were giving me covert thumbs up signs when they went past. Two people told me I was "brave" to be standing at the Democratic tent.
I even had a few people who know me say they couldn't beleive I was a Democrat! My answer was I'm a veteran- of course I'm a democrat.
But what I didn't understand is the fact that folks were so uncomfortable to be seen at a Democratic tent getting information. So I asked the next person that came up about that.
She was an older lady and she said " You aren't from here, so you don't understand. If you aren't a republican, you'll never get anywhere in this place!"
That turned on a light bulb for me.
The cultural norm here is to be a Republican- even if you are pro-union, pro choice or anti war.Even when you depend on SocialSecurity and Medicare.
Then she smiled and said" It doesn't mean we all vote that way"
That was enough to get me to spend another Saturday, in another park.