Last Year
That's what he said. He's a millennial. Newly married. He's got his career ahead of him. He's a DINK (Dual Income, No Kids). He and his wife want to have good times for another 3-5 years before they have children. We were at a 4th of July party at the couple's house when they told me their plans. It's a good plan. I hope they can make it happen and said so with a light hearted, snarky, quip; said with a chuckle. I was not expecting him to blurt,
"I Hate Politics!"
He ranted a little bit about how divisive they are and how it's all bullshit anyway. I don't remember all he said, but I decided to cool it. I don't think he entirely believed me when I replied, "Sorry, me too. There are better things to talk about." He accepted my peace offering and changed the subject.
Despite all the posting I do here and other places on line, I really don't like politics. Especially when they intrude into our bedrooms. I know, it's a paradox. I can see how people think I like politics, but it's really more pragmatism than liking. Politics is something I monitor, because what happens in Congress, the State House and local Council meetings can f^ck up my life and yours. Too often, we lose.
Later on that evening, I was helping him empty and clean out the coolers when he brought up the subject. "I don't understand what you get out of politics. What can we really do about it? The government does what ever it wants. My vote is meaningless."
That earned him a flat, "Bullshit." I've heard this before and don't buy it. We live in Florida. "In 2000, all we needed was another 500 (more or less) voters to vote for Al Gore and we'd have a very different political situation today. I doubt if we'd have spent what $4 trillion on the Middle East for one thing. Anyway, that's 500 or so out of what was then, 10 million registered voters. My mistake then was that I wasn't as involved in talking about politics then as I am now, but you're right I need to be less snarky at parties."
I wish I could remember what I actually said that set him off earlier, but I remember what he said while we were cleaning up, "Well, it was funny and you weren't mean. I took it the wrong way and over reacted."
"No worries. It's already forgotten" it really is.
This Year
The 4th is here again and we spoke about this year's party and that I needed to bring ice. After making arrangements for the important stuff - the party, he wanted to talk about the Hobby Lobby decision.
He was concerned. "Did you really mean it when you said you hated politics?"
He took me by surprise. I had to think for a minute before I remembered, "I take it you are concerned about either the Hobby Lobby case or the labor union case?"
I could tell he was a little embarrassed talking about birth control, "Well, yeah, Hobby Lobby. What's it mean? Where's it going to stop?"
Too often, this is how political awareness comes to 20 somethings. Something political happens that f^cks up their plans for their life and after the steam clears, we have a baby activist. You have to be gentle with a newbie, "I don't know. I thought my mother and her generation settled this in the Sixties. I don't believe it is as limited as Justice Alito wrote in his prevailing opinion."
He chuckled, "Of course, you read the opinion." Then he paused and thought for a moment, "That's what you meant about hating politics, isn't it?"
"You mean about getting upset when things don't go my way? No one likes that, but I do strive for balance. I can't get angry every time some right winger says or does something stupid, but there are five men on the Supreme Court who have me upset right now."
He continued, "I'm not sure what's going to happen at work. Our owner is Catholic and we both get our insurance from my job. I found out we're self insured, maybe you can explain that to me later ....anyway, it would be just like him to declare a religious objection when all it would do is save him some money."
Five days later and I'm still angry, and he's worried. My friends' children have always used me as a resource for birth control. I'm the only parent in my circle that doesn't moralize about using it. "Well, if that day comes and you need help in finding a cheaper solution, call me. I'll see what I can find for you."
"You're the best. See ya around two. You can tell me how I can get more involved later, ok?"
And, this is where we are today.
Will this last until November?
It depends upon how many "closely held" corporations decide to follow Hobby lobby's folly.