Chapter 30
Getting It Straight About Politics
Poolside the next morning, just about everybody had something to say. The weather warmer. The vista tremendous behind us – a mountainside; not so great the other way – just the side of The Arlington.
The women on the bus reported that Hot Springs is filled with great places to eat. “New Orleans style cooking – beignets, the whole bit,” Sally said.
The men on the bus had been to the Quapaw Bathhouse, but Steve said it was disappointing, “. . . like going to a sanatorium, lots of old people, lots of ailments, everybody in white robes, nothing to look at, nothing worth paying $25 an hour for.”
Sunshine and Peaches said it was a nice camp ground in the Quachita Forest not far out of town, but were hoping to crash in Huck’s room tonight. “And yeah,” Sunshine added, “Austin and Tex – those guys we met at the RV park – well, they’re on Facebook. They’ve got a photo of the Land Yacht saying it’ll be a kick moving you guys to the right.”
Steve had the most to say, “Rumpkins and Trumpeters – two wings of the same plane. We’ve been on the road ten weeks; met a ton of people – some, I think, we were too quick to label right-wingers, or worse, racists, just ‘cuz they latched on to Trump. Those cowboys in Montana, those Texas dudes at the RV park, even Big Sam right here, all they want is for the friggin’ plane to fly straight – looking-out for ordinary Americans.
“Where’s the political party that blends moderate right-wing conservatism on business matters, good paying jobs for all, and letting folks lead their own private lives without government interference? And now’s the perfect time to find common cause fighting terrorism. In my humble opinion, it takes two wings to fly an airplane. If they want to call their wing the right wing, that’s fine. As long as we’re flying in the direction of democracy, of the people, by the people, for the people, one equally weighted vote per person, we should welcome them as co-pilots.”
“Wow, Patty said, say that again for the movie, start with ‘Here’s what we want to trumpet.’
“Okay,” Steve said, rising like a lawyer, “Here’s what we want to trumpet:
-the idea that immigrants are an asset, not a liability;
-that freedom of speech is also for those whose ideas we loathe;
-that America’s power needs to be used to protect democracies from dictators;
-that we are richer by freely trading goods abroad;
-that nothing is more sacred than democracy and the rule of law;
-that patriotism is criticizing a country we love while loving the country we criticize.”
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Pool side, there was no report from Sally and Jack – presumably they were sleeping late.
“Okay, how’s this for a plan . . .” Skip finally spoke, “. . . no plan. Just keep doin’ what we’re doin’. Get back on the road, lookin’ to meet people, bloggin’ what we’re up to . . .
. . . “and by the way, talked with Susie yesterday, Eloise is having a victory party and the cowboys – who Steve just better referred to as ‘Trumpet-ers’ – will likely be there. Let’s skype again, and Steve, get into that airplane with them.”
Huck brought the conversation back to the present, said he saw a flyer for something called Valley of the Vapors Music Festival, “It’s free, right here on the street in front of the bath houses, starts tonight.”
Then, everybody relaxed and enjoyed their last day at The Arlington. Everybody, that is, except Skip and Rocky who took off by themselves somewhere.