Figuring out who I am
You know, lately I have been doing a lot of thinking and trying to figure out who I am. When I say “who I am” I am talking politically. I have been quite politically active since I was about 16 years old, when I was in High School and lived in Louisiana.
When I was 15, I got my first “real job”. I had already been working for years, but doing odd jobs, nothing formal, as I was below the US working age. When I was 15, I got a job at a company called T.G. & Y. Stores. T.G. & Y. was a retailing company that operated a chain of discount stores mostly in the Southeast USA. The headquarters of the company was in Oklahoma City, and it operated around 3,000 to 4,000 stores, as I recall.
As I said, I started working for T.G. & Y. when I was 15. They were opening a new store in the town where I lived, Franklinton, Louisiana. It was a large store, what T.G. & Y. called a “Family Center”. They operated Family Centers, which were the larger discount stores, and they operated Five and Dime stores, which were smaller operations, kind of a “Mom & Pop” store, although it was certainly not operated by any Mom or Pop.
Bob Martin with his niece, Bebe Bayoy
What does all of this have to do with my politics? Well, when I started working for T.G. & Y. I met a man who became my mentor in many parts of my life. His name is James Daniel. Mr. Daniel was the Assistant Manager at the store where I was working. He was also very active in Republican Politics in Louisiana. Those were lonely days for a Republican in Louisiana, as the State was like 99% Democrat!
Mr. Daniel got me started thinking about Politics, and he taught me a lot. Soon, I was doing volunteer work for Dave Treen, who ran, and was elected as the first Republican Governor in Louisiana since Reconstruction (following the US Civil War). All of this was in the late 1970’s. As 1980 approached, I was firmly a Reagan supporter for the Presidency of the United States.
Although all of my life I have been a member of the Republican Party, I would not first describe myself as a Republican, politically, I would term myself as a Conservative. I cared less about Party Politics than Ideology when it came down to it. It so happened that over the years, the Party that matched me ideologically was the Republican Party, so that is where I felt at home.
Other than Reagan, though, Republicans didn’t have that much control in the 80’s. The Senate was Republican for a short time, yet the House had been Democrat since the 50’s or before. But, in the mid 90’s the Republicans started taking hold and even controlled the House, as well as the Senate. There were times when there was Republican control of the House, Senate and the Presidency.
Problem is, though, that the Republicans didn’t change much when they had power.
Being conservative, there were certain things that were important to me. Some social issues were important. However, I personally am more interested in fiscal issues than social issues. I am conservative socially too, but it takes a back seat to fiscal issues.
So, when the Republicans took control of much of the government in the 90’s and into the 21st Century, they really showed that they were less concerned about upholding their ideology, and more concerned about being in power, and the perks that come with it. Now the Democrats control virtually every part of the government of the United States. Frankly, there is not much difference one way or the other.
In 2000, I moved to the Philippines, and have lived here ever since. Being far distanced from US politics, I have come to care a lot less about it. It doesn’t affect me that much now. But, when I think about it, I find it hard to identify who I am, politically. I am still conservative, ideologically. But, I don’t see any Political Party that I can identify with. I certainly am not a Democrat – virtually every policy that they stand for runs counter to my thinking. Much of what the Republican Party says they believe in is what I believe in, but they have shown that when they have power, they do not seem to implement any laws or policies to further the causes that they espouse. Some of my friends have talked about moving to the Libertarian Party. I don’t feel a fit there, though. Yes, on some policies the Libertarians fit my beliefs, but on others they are really counter to my thinking. So, where do I fit?
I mentioned Ronald Reagan earlier in this article. I have to say that I pretty much identify with the things that Reagan espoused to this day. When Reagan was younger, in the 40’s, 50’s and early 60’s, he was a Democrat. He always said that he never left the Democrat Party, but that the Party had left him, which caused him to become a Republican. I feel that the Republicans have left me. Problem is, I don’t see any other Party where I feel that I would fit in!
In the past 2 to 3 years, I have pretty much become apolitical. I have gotten where I don’t even enjoy talking about politics any longer, and it used to be a favorite topic of mine! These days, the discussion of politics is so sour that it can cause friends to feel like enemies. There seems to be no sense of trying to compromise, or listen to others anymore. That’s why I have pretty much gotten to the point where I just don’t care to even talk about it any longer.
I still wonder, though… who am I, in the political sense?
Interesting thoughts. I suspect that I am at a very different place than you politically (based on what you have written above), but I have arrived at that exact same spot. I am neither Democrat nor Republican. I have found that it doesn’t seem to matter which side has the power. It often is about amassing more power.
I think for me, though, I am comfortable not being either. I vote for whom I like regardless of party. In some races, I don’t vote at all because neither truly is a reasonable choice.
Hi Tom – You know, the problem these days is that people with different views are supposed to be mortal enemies! I really hate it the way things have developed like that. I always hear how back in Reagan’s day, he and Tip O’Neal would fight politics like dogs all day long, but when nightfall came, they would sit down for a drink and a friendly discussion. Those days seem to be gone anymore. I really, really hate it!
For me, I don’t care much if a person has different political views than I do, we can still be friends. It just makes me more and more apolitical!
Exactly right. Gone is the day when people can have civilized conversations. Now it is all about calling people “socialists” or “traitors” or whatever. That is all just so silly.
LOL! reminds me of my cousin’s e-mail when someone in the family (who’s not aware of the clan’s unspoken rule) gets all fevered up on the topic: ” Two things we don’t discuss so we don’t get on each other’s nerves: religion & politics…..”
He & his siblings are on opposite side of the poles on these issues– he, being a Mormon & politically, right-off-center.
Well Bob – I first saw you (on your web site) when I was “dredging” the net for up to date info on Samal Island. My wife and I bought a plot of land near Catagman a few years ago and although she was there last year I haven’t been for about three years. She told me there was a lot of development happening on the neighbouring (yes, I can spell but no, I’m Scottish and we spell differently!) plots. My in-laws stay on the plot just now and they also keep us up to date with what is happening.
Anyway the reason I am replying to this e mail is because I was never interested in politics until Bush won just after I moved to the States in 2008 (Texas even). He seemed like a nice cowboy but I didn’t have any idea how much influence he would have on the world after 9/11. Since then I have been practically glued to the TV watching politics through the Iraq war, Bush’s second term and then Obama’s election.
When I saw your website earlier I thought I would one day in the near future end up meeting you on Samal as I intend building a home and spending at least a partial retirement there. I wondered what sort of guy you were and when I saw the political heading today I started to read the article.
Coming from the South I wasn’t surprised to see that you were a Republican. Reading on it was interesting to note that you weren’t too impressed with them and that you were becoming apolitical. I can’t imagine ever being that but I am certainly losing interest in politics and by the time I get to Samal I am sure I will be “cured” – in fact I see Samal as a way of getting away from all things political. Of course it is impossible to get away from politics as the Philippines has it’s own but things are a bit simpler there. By the time I get there Manny Pacquiao will be president ( I hope not as I would hate him to spoil his image).
So, looking forward to talking with you – online initially and on Samal sometime in the near future.
Hi Sandy – Nice to meet you, thanks for leaving your comment… don’t worry, I am used to the spelling of UK English!
Actually, I don’t “come from the south” – I lived in the South for about 10 years from when I was 15 years old until 25.
I am still going through the process of figuring out who I am politically. I am unsure. I would say that I lean Republican, but am not a strong Republican like I used to be.
Yeah, when you are over here, let’s get together, and get to know each other! Would be nice to meet you in person!
This is an interesting article and really interesting when I read a line like this:
“I certainly am not a Democrat – virtually every policy that they stand for runs counter to my thinking.”
It is beyond belief that any American can say that they do not relate to anything with the Democratic party. That comment is truly hard to believe.
Let me tell you a little about myself so I can let you know where I am coming from. I am 46. I was a Republican from the age of about 10 to 41. I was a DIEHARD Republican before I even knew what they were totally about.
Over the years I defended the Republican party as staunchly as anyone possibly could. When I was in the Marine Corps I became even “more” of a Republican, if that was possible. But over the years, as I got older and gained a lot more common sense, it became readily apparent to me that the party I loved was about three things….THEMSELVES, THEIR MONEY, and THIER FRIENDS MONEY. In that order.
The Republican party, and I know all of their talking points, could care less about the average person unless the average person can make them some money. Republicans are all about doing what is best for themselves and most could care less about other Americans.
Republicans think they have the moral high ground which is absolutely absurd. Republicans are just as corrupt, and probably more so, than any other political party.
Republicans think they are more religious…which is absolutely ridiculous. Republicans think they are better business people….which is comical. Many of the business people I know personally are Republican and they haven’t a real clue.
Studies have shown Republicans cheat just as much as Democrats. Republicans have plenty of abortions. Republicans LOVE taxes when they benefit from them or can serve their business.
The difference between the Republicans and the Democrats is that one party is for themselves, business, and their rich buddies. While the other is much more for the average person.
Now think about it. Who do you think is for the average people? Who do YOU think is for themselves, their rich buddies, and their businesses. The Republicans will lie and distort about almost anything to get more money for themselves.
Let’s look at health care. Almost EVERY single person in American KNOWS we have a health care issue. The Republicans have said it needs to be fixed but what have they done for the last 70 years. NOTHING! Absolutely NOTHING.
They had their chance and did nothing. I want a party that represents a majority of Americans. Not a party that does EVERYTHING they can to make themselves, their buddies, and their businesses better at the expense of everyone else.
When I got old enough to vote I voted for Reagans second term, I voted for George Bush, Sr., I voted for Bob Dole, and I voted for the worse president America has EVER had….Lil Geogie Bush, Jr.. I finally woke up about two years into that con mans second term and realized the party that I loved was no longer a party that I could support.
Do you think for ONE millisecond that ANY Republican wants Obama to succeed? Of course not! Even if Obama gets the economy turned around, even if the health care bill ends up being good for America, and even if the budget deficit and what we owe other countries is brought under control the Republican party will not be happy.
I used to be a Ditto Head (loved Rush Limbaugh), I used to listen to Fox News all the time. I used to actually listen to the close to insane Bill O’Reily. My God was I delusional. Those people could care less about YOU. Figure it out. None of those guys want Obama to succeed at ANYTHING, even if it makes our country better. What they want is a country run by people that help THEM make more money while pulling the wool over everyones eyes about everything else.
Hi Todd – Well, I would still (sort of) consider myself a Republican and I want Obama to succeed, so you are incorrect when you say there is no Republican who wants him to succeed. I want somebody to get the US back on track. I don’t care if it is a democrat, republican or whoever. Both sides have had their opportunity, but nobody has done it, or seemingly even tried to do it.
No, I don’t see any democrat policies that I am in agreement with at all. I mean their core values. I don’t believe in the things that they espouse. I believe in most of what the republicans espouse, but the problem is that when they are in power, they do not govern in the way they say they will.