Out from The Wild - Political Ambiguity

I didn't have a camera when this story took place, but I still have my tent (pictured).  I'm sure my Mom remembers when I showed up at a wedding and camped out in the park across the street from the hotel where everyone else was staying.  On another note, I was amazed going through our pictures on how many of them there were with Laura holding our dog Sam.
 

It was late October in Northern Colorado and I was squatting in my tent up Poudre Canyon, near Ft Collins Colorado.   The nights were getting colder and I wasn’t sleeping well.  One part of me wanted to go to sleep, but another part of me was afraid of what might happen if I did.  I knew that I had to move indoors or head south if I wanted to continue waking up in the morning.

These days my wrinkled, bifocaled eyes see things a little better.  I actually had more options than moving indoors or heading south.  The options were actually all indoors, but ones I hadn’t considered.  I could’ve shown up at the door of family or friends (don’t be surprised when it happens next summer J ) I could’ve also gone home, but I didn’t want to even consider it.  I just couldn’t bear to show my Dad that I couldn’t make it on my own.   Today, I understand better why he was so hard on all of us (except Carol who turned out fine anyway).  His purpose for demanding high standards was to best prepare us for a tough world.

I remember standing at the front door of Columbine Products in the early morning darkness. I was shuffling my duct-taped tennis shoes back and forth to keep warm as the owner, Mr. Charles “Charley” Warren, arrived to start his day.    Charley was the second shrewdest businessman I’ve ever encountered.   He never wasted anything, never missed an opportunity, and would fight to the death over a penny.  I don’t think a week ever passed where I didn’t hear him complain about government regulation, particularly OSHA and the minimum wage.  For all his complaining, I’m convinced he was following the letter of the law and sincerely cared about the safety of his employees.  If it wasn’t for his honesty and compassion, I’m certain he could’ve easily been the shrewdest.
 

At the time, I didn’t care much for Charley and I don’t think he thought much of me.   For the previous few weeks, I’d been gathering pine cones and selling them to his factory to make Christmas wreaths.   Our negotiations didn’t have a friendly tone and it’s difficult to present a positive personal image when you’re living outdoors.  Since Charley already had all the pine cones needed for the season, I was there looking for a job.

Before he even opened the factory door, Charley told me that he’d try me out for two weeks and keep me employed through the middle of December if I worked out.  He told me to show up at the same time the next day in work boots and even offered to advance me the cost.  I politely declined his offer.  I had a few dollars put away.  Regardless, I’d have gone hungry before taking his money.

At the time, I held political beliefs that’d make Ron Paul look like a liberal.  I was certain that laziness and/or stupidity were the only reasons people fail in life.  I’d never applied for financial assistance to help out with school or made an unemployment claim when I was laid off numerous times from construction jobs.  I was strongly against “welfare” and I included both of these programs in my definition.  In retrospect, I know I wasn’t lazy.  However, stubbornness can easily approach the boundary of stupidity.

I wasn’t worried about keeping the job.  From an early age, I’d been trained very well to quickly do what I was told, to do what needed done without being told, and to always accomplish the job exactly the way the boss wanted  it done, regardless of whether I agreed.

That day, I purchased a pair of steel-toed boots from the Salvation Army and put a sizeable portion of my remaining cash down on a place to live.  I got a very good deal sharing an apartment with two mental patients.  I’ll eventually get around to sharing that experience, but today I’ll repress my natural inclination to chase rabbits and get back to the story.

Whenever lunch or break time rolled around, Charlie always invited me over to his workbench.  After the first few days, I caught on to what he was doing.  Almost all of our planning and coordination took place while I was off the clock or otherwise not productive.  The first week he hired another warehouse man (all the factory workers were women) and fired him the first day when he caught him smoking in the pine-bough-filled warehouse.  After that, he decided to work me more hours instead of hiring someone else.  The overtime hours actually approached a reasonable wage and being the only trained warehouseman gave me a greater sense of job security.  Even after the Christmas rush, Charlie kept me on part time until Memorial Day when the factory shut down for several months.  I’d made enough money to pay for a few night classes, cover my rent, and even had a little left over for a social life.  After I learned to see past Charley’s crusty exterior, we became good friends.

Just like those who are quick to judge those going through hard times, there are others who are just as quick to judge those in business.  Low paying jobs involving hard work are a magnet for criticism.  While Charley could only pay the minimum wage, he was liked and trusted by those he worked with.  Half his employees had been with him for 20 years or longer.  There were also a number of mothers and daughters working together.  While it wasn’t enough to make a living, I’m certain the seasonal work he provided paid for many Christmas presents and summer vacations.

Fresh out of World War II, Charley started a marginally viable business and kept it going for thirty five years.  Just as the Civil War was a defining event regarding America’s unity and individual equality, the sacrifices of Charley’s generation are responsible for the freedom and prosperity we share today.  World War II also defined Charley.  My first task of the day was to raise the American flag and the last was to take it down.   He was always there watching.   He deserved a portion of the American Dream.

Eventually, the years of hard labor took their toll and Charley had to retire.   His life’s work left him with little more (financially) than what he’d started out with.  He wasn’t able to sell the business. Everyone who looked at it couldn’t make the numbers work.  The man who took over did his best, but the business went under and a lot of good people lost their jobs.  The line between success and failure is often fine.

America’s success has led many to believe (previously myself) that common sense, hard work and a little luck are the only keys to a successful life.   They are, if you live in a society where widespread opportunity exists.  I’m positive a short visit to Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, or any country ending in “stan” would convince you that where, when, and the family you’re born into plays a much greater role.  Our individual success is predicated on the success of the society we live in.  John F. Kennedy used the phrase, “A rising tide raises all boats” many times to illustrate the individual benefits of societal progress.   America needs President Kennedy's vision.  On 21 Jul 1969, my Dad called me in from outside to watch Neil Armstrong take man's first step on the moon. I was ten years old and my Dad told me I'd always remember what we witnessed that day.  Sadly, it's been a long time since America last left footprints on the moon

I think many still believe that America’s freedom and prosperity is eternal.  Ronald Reagan said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."  I've seen several of President Reagan's movies and he wasn't much of an actor.  In real life, I saw a man of true conviction and unquestionable sincerity.  If I was fooled, please don't tell me.  I'd break my heart.

From my tiny perch thousands of miles away in Korea, I see political division, selfish greed, and lack of vision eroding America’s economic foundation. A falling tide lowers all boats and a luxury yacht is of little use stranded on the rocks.  In just a few months we'll have a say in our future.  Without regards to political philosophy, I'd vote for anyone remotely possessing the leadership of President Kennedy or President Reagan.  Choose wisely, the line between success and failure is often fine.