Party Labels: We Never Cared

“However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.” George Washington, 1796

George Washington, 1796

When my ancestors came to this country in the 1850s, I doubt whether they laid claim to a political party. The Ginters came from Germany, the Kennedys from Ireland, and the Klovers from Holland. I did learn that great grandfather James Kennedy did become identified as a Jacksonian Democrat. They probably were more concerned about surviving in this new country by whatever means and being supported by their native countrymen.

Braidwood Political Parties

Growing up in Braidwood between 1940 through 1960, I knew that my parents usually voted with the party that supported the unions. Dad’s livelihood depended on his affiliation with the Teamsters Union and later the Operating Engineers. I am sure that they considered the Democrats as representing the working class and the Republicans as more supportive of the wealthier population. But it was a rarity to label a neighbor or friend as a democrat or republican.

Instead, we knew people as belonging to the various churches or by ethnicity.  National ancestry and religion were more pronounced because marriages, many times, generally followed along those lines. Catholics married Catholics, Italians married Italians and so on. My mother-in-law, a Slovenian, married a Croat, both Catholics but it was considered a mixed marriage. Wealthier people married those within their social status.

Nationalities and Ethnicities

My 14 grandkids are now an accumulation of several nationalities.  Their children, my great grandkids, will further dilute any ethnic or religious identity other than being an American. Will they be labeled in other ways?  Will they have nicknames other than those that I gave them?  

Too bad that many of us fall into the trap of categorizing a person’s human qualities first as a democrat, republican, independent, Whig, liberal, or conservative. The majority of the population subscribe to the same principles, ethics, fairness, and morality.  On first appearance, it would be impossible to tell one party loyalist from another. 

Couldn’t we look at political parties the way we do as sports fans? We could joke with each other about how our team (or party) was better or worse.  We could cajole and make outrageous statements, and no one would get upset…too much. And we wouldn’t base our friendship on the fact that we have different views and opinions.

Embrace Diversity

But face it. We must be more tolerant of our differences and disagreements. Our world is comprised of variations and diversity. Not one of us has all the answers, but together we can find solutions to our challenges.  Respect for, and tolerance with, one another is not negotiable. It’s the only way and we need to start now. Get rid of the political labels and replace them with sports labels. (I never understood why Jesse Field liked the White Sox, but he is a great guy. He also tolerated me, a Cub fan.)