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alterfurz

(2,680 posts)

55. 1960: When JFK's presidential campaign piqued his teen grandson's budding interest in politics...

Thu Apr 20, 2023, 11:58 AM

Apr 2023

...Depression-Era Grandpa Ralph explained to him all he thought the boy, as a future member of the working class, needed to know about the subject [paraphrasing here]: "All politicians will lie and grift, but the dime's worth of difference is that the Republican wants every goddam dollar for himself, while a Democrat will sometimes throw you a dime.”

2023: Same as it ever was, only more so.

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At about age six, I asked my Adlai Stevenson-loving Mom: "What's the difference between [View all] Atticus Apr 2023 OP

Your mom was awesome and explained it so well! nt woodsprite Apr 2023 #1

There's a lot of truth in what you say, but many won't admit to it. Joinfortmill Apr 2023 #2

like it republianmushroom Apr 2023 #3

Neither of my parents were Democrats although my grandmother... NNadir Apr 2023 #4

I wonder what that same conversation sounds like in a Republican family. Maru Kitteh Apr 2023 #5

My father always told me, "The Republicans never did a thing for the common man". patphil Apr 2023 #6

Raised in the WI that unionized first and inaugurated the first Earth Day. LakeArenal Apr 2023 #14

Where in Wisconsin? patphil Apr 2023 #32

Mr Lake is born and bred Green Bay. LakeArenal Apr 2023 #37

Your father was right then, SouthernDem4ever Apr 2023 #52

Good explanation! A somewhat oversimplified version: Democrats we we we. Republicans me me me housecat Apr 2023 #7

May be no coincidence but my Dad and I had that exact convo. Almost word for word, with the same mahina Apr 2023 #8

I wonder what a Republican mom would say nuxvomica Apr 2023 #9

My mother was a Republican because her family had been Abolitionists. raging moderate Apr 2023 #56

Will Rodges said sab390 Apr 2023 #10

Dems have been growing a backbone lately brakester Apr 2023 #23

And think about how much gqp is responsible for your second sentence. niyad Apr 2023 #31

I think we are our own worst enemy sab390 Apr 2023 #44

"Democrats ... can never do what they say they'll do" because since Gingrich the party's priority betsuni Apr 2023 #49

+1 treestar Apr 2023 #54

Asked my grandma when I was about ten Butterflylady Apr 2023 #11

Very succinct! brakester Apr 2023 #29

Dyed. A HERETIC I AM Apr 2023 #53

Adlai Stevenson said BOSSHOG Apr 2023 #12

And also he said, Captain Zero Apr 2023 #28

I'd forgotten that quote. A gem indeed. Hamlette Apr 2023 #39

And so sad that it would still apply today BOSSHOG Apr 2023 #43

omg I asked my 3rd grade teacher and she said, verbatim, "Democrats are the party of the people... CurtEastPoint Apr 2023 #13

my family believes Adlai's loss was the beginning of a downward spiral for the US Hamlette Apr 2023 #15

My mother read this to me after his loss: Atticus Apr 2023 #18

I used to have a "hole in the shoe" pin and wore it for years. Hamlette Apr 2023 #38

Your momma put that so perfectly ... Hope22 Apr 2023 #16

My dad talked about how great Adlai Stevenson was, I can actually remember him saying he was cksmithy Apr 2023 #17

Same here - my dad loved him womanofthehills Apr 2023 #47

Yep. That about nails it. calimary Apr 2023 #19

Authoritarian versus humanitarian GeoWilliam750 Apr 2023 #20

Smart mom! MLAA Apr 2023 #21

Then again, Stevenson lost to an Eisenhower who would be decried as a socialist these days Silent3 Apr 2023 #22

I love this! So true! lucca18 Apr 2023 #24

My parents rarely discussed politics that I can recall FakeNoose Apr 2023 #25

Dude, that is an awesome tale! PJMcK Apr 2023 #26

My dad always said blueinredohio Apr 2023 #27

Yup the "billionaires-are-all-bad" trope fits the definition too. live love laugh Apr 2023 #30

Ah, my mother loved Adelai Stevenson too mchill Apr 2023 #33

About the same age as you my single mother took me to an Eastern Washington Tikki Apr 2023 #34

My mother explained that FDR kept people from starving TNNurse Apr 2023 #35

K and R...Thanks for posting. Great Post. Thanks for all your work for Democratic Underground Stuart G Apr 2023 #36

My parents were also for Stevenson mountain grammy Apr 2023 #40

My kids asked me what a Republican is Seinan Sensei Apr 2023 #41

He was also instrumental during the Cuba Missile Crisis. Xolodno Apr 2023 #42

I have always asked those who are not rich, how could they vote against their own interest liberal N proud Apr 2023 #45

Brings back memories of my Adlai Stevenson supporting mom. nt LAS14 Apr 2023 #46

There is an asterisk to all that. Lucky Luciano Apr 2023 #48

The Civil Rights Act sent my Klan-Daddy to the R side in 1964. czarjak Apr 2023 #50

My mom said almost these exact same words to me when I asked this question on Election Day 1972. LaMouffette Apr 2023 #51

1960: When JFK's presidential campaign piqued his teen grandson's budding interest in politics... alterfurz Apr 2023 #55