The Local Candidate
On a slow market day in an election year I am behind my stall at the local Farmers' Market doing what I do on a slow day, watching people. My stall neighbour you must know is a local personality very much engaged in local boards and organisations. Everybody knows him and he knows everybody.
Down the row of stalls comes the local candidate of political party XYZ. Well let's not name her but her part stands for social policies and workers' rights etc. She is decorated with one of those rosette ribbons showing her party colors. It always reminds me of the first prize in an A & P show for the best breeding bull. Her entourage is swarming around her, all smiling people. She is in the middle of it all obviously enjoying the attention. Of course they know each others well.
The smiles are reaching critical point, the happiness is strong, too strong, on almost artificial levels.
They stop at my neighbors shop, "Oh how are you? I see you are already on the campaign trail. That's early" "Ahh yes thank you all's well. We start early this year." "What do you think of Policy A, don't you think that's a great idea?" "Oh yes that was a marvellous idea, the opposition can't keep up with this" "Blah blah blah..." and so it goes on in a volume which ensures everybody sees and hears them but it isn't too obtrusive. Well polished, properly designed.
"Ahh I'm better on my way. I got work to do, voters to win, you know. I am not here for pleasure".
And the armada moves on, the mothership in their middle the little barges sailing around her like happy butterflies bathing in the sun of so much local celebrity. And they sail straight past me on their way to meet their next mate. And I want to cry out "What about me? I am a voter!"I feel a deep sadness inside of me. I feel neglected like a puppy. I feel like I might be cute but they now I will grow up and become a bit nuisance later on. Better not get too attached.
Down the row of stalls comes the local candidate of political party XYZ. Well let's not name her but her part stands for social policies and workers' rights etc. She is decorated with one of those rosette ribbons showing her party colors. It always reminds me of the first prize in an A & P show for the best breeding bull. Her entourage is swarming around her, all smiling people. She is in the middle of it all obviously enjoying the attention. Of course they know each others well.
The smiles are reaching critical point, the happiness is strong, too strong, on almost artificial levels.
They stop at my neighbors shop, "Oh how are you? I see you are already on the campaign trail. That's early" "Ahh yes thank you all's well. We start early this year." "What do you think of Policy A, don't you think that's a great idea?" "Oh yes that was a marvellous idea, the opposition can't keep up with this" "Blah blah blah..." and so it goes on in a volume which ensures everybody sees and hears them but it isn't too obtrusive. Well polished, properly designed.
"Ahh I'm better on my way. I got work to do, voters to win, you know. I am not here for pleasure".
And the armada moves on, the mothership in their middle the little barges sailing around her like happy butterflies bathing in the sun of so much local celebrity. And they sail straight past me on their way to meet their next mate. And I want to cry out "What about me? I am a voter!"I feel a deep sadness inside of me. I feel neglected like a puppy. I feel like I might be cute but they now I will grow up and become a bit nuisance later on. Better not get too attached.
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