A tale of two campaign invitations

[MissB]

I heard a blurb on the local news on Monday night about the two presidential candidates. They are crossing paths this Friday in my city. The news anchor noted that Sen. John Kerry would be at a large public park on the waterfront. The Bush campaign’s events would be closed to the public.

On Tuesday while reading the local news online, I noticed a link to free tickets to the Kerry event. I clicked on the link, and within a minute had a paper ticket from my printer. The venue opens in the morning. If one is familiar with my city, one would recognize that many thousands of people can fit in that venue. It is a lovely bowl-shaped part of a large park that sits on the edge of the river in downtown. Other than spending some time sitting in a park on a sunny Friday morning, this event won’t make a dent in my pocket.

I live in a nice neighborhood. I prefer to be fairly vague about the location of the neighborhood. Let’s just say that there aren’t any financially disadvantaged people in my neighborhood. Not a one. I can say this with confidence – I could provide the damning statistic if I had to, but out of preference for anonymity I won’t.

My house is a humble one – rather unique in this neighborhood. I didn’t invest in this home to rub shoulders with the rich and locally well-known residents of my city. I bought it because I was unwilling to sacrifice my children to the other school system in the city. I bought it because it was a safe real estate investment. This neighborhood will always be sought-after.

Every now and then, I get the odd piece of mail in my mailbox. An invite to a function at a local country club (to which I am not a member). An invite to a garden party. Monthly it seems, I receive a glossy circular of all the high-end homes in the area that are for sale.

Yesterday, I opened my mail and found an invite to a party, addressed to my husband and myself. Even before I opened up the invite, the red and blue color and the words on the cover hinted that it was a political event. I was certain it was an invite to a Kerry event. I am, after all, a lifelong Democrat.

Imagine my surprise to see that it was an invite to a Bush event. Several well-known state and US Senate/Congressional members of the Republican Party are chairing the event. President Bush isn’t going to be there, but his wife is listed as the special guest. The location is a private home within my neighborhood.

I have here, in front of me, two invitations. The cost of attending the Bush function is up to $15,000. The cost for the Kerry event is free. Tell me – which is the “party of the people” and which is the “party of the have and have mores”?

[Jo March]

1. Thanks for sharing that

See, this is what people need to read and understand. * and his kind are after the money. If you don't have it, please don't bother to show up. Don't call us and we won't call you.

I cannot afford $15000. I make decent money but that is ridiculous. So, I will never be able to see my so-called president speak. Is that democracy? Who does * work for, anyway?!

I hope that the Kerry rally goes well. Post pictures if you can.

[swag]

2. Hi, missb. Kerry will kick Bush's ass in Portland!