Cabarrus Cheap Seats

In the couple of years that I’ve been doing this - I’ve noticed a pattern. This blog is written for people who are interested in local news and politics; and the people who I interact with usually marry people who consider that stuff trivia (they use other words, but “trivia” is the nicest I’ve heard)

Nearly everyone I know whose into this stuff from elected officials, to party operatives, to reporters have spouses that really don’t care about politics. That’s not bad at all really - an interest in politics generally has little to do with civic-mindedness but is a sign of some yet undefined personality disorder. It most cases the spouse is generally a convivial, genuinely wonderful person that the politico lucked into marrying. That is especially true in my case.

So, for today’s Friday Five I’m going to reflect on five things you should appreciate about your apolitical spouse.

5. You won’t have conversations like the one in the video. It’s one thing to blast someone about their differences on jail project while typing away at your keyboard putting them in some contrived political bin. It’s entirely different when you have a joint checking account with them. Chew on that.

4. You might learn something. There is life beyond motions, continuances, amendments, and ordinances. There are more fun things to do than involve yourself in the latest intrigue at Troutman’s BBQ. Seriously, even though the fare on Channel 22 might be entertaining to you - Just For Laughs is much funnier…in an intentional sort of way.

3. You’ll understand the voters better. Most voters vote once every four years in November. They might, at most, read the candidate profiles in the paper or on TV. So, they have to distill away all of the minutiae, and they are left with the highlights.

While there are many cherished half-truths and lies that are considered common political sense: the highlights are often spot on. For example, the 1992 Republican Nominee for the US House of Representatives NC8 District visited my 8th Grade class - his name was Coy Privette. A rather prescient classmate of mine said, “That guy is full of crap. I don’t trust him and I don’t see how anyone else could.” Of course, she wasn’t as politically astute as I was. I gave the guy a chance and worked on his campaign. 13 years later - I would start a blog that frustrated his political machine and two years after that - I would be publishing calls for his resignation. You see - it took me 15 years to come to the same conclusion that she came to before Algebra.

2. You’ll get to meet your kids, family, and the rest of your mutual friends. They’re great, really.

1. You’ll remember what’s important. All political organizations have some sort of order of succession. All chairs have vice-chairs, most offices are term-limited, and there are elections. The point is that all political factions are temporary, every office has its replacement, and you’re not all that special to the process.

Politically, there’s always some cooler than you. That’s not the case with your family. I’ll always been my son’s daddy for as long as I live. My term will expire on the Parks and Recreation Commission, I’ll probably be ousted from my position as treasurer of the Republican Men’s Club, and the people in our party will decide to have someone on the Executive Board that won’t freak out; but I’ll still be a father, husband, son, uncle, and friend to plenty of people.

See y’all Monday.

Disclaimer: Contrary to the title - I only think my wife is hot. The title was a cheap way to get your attention - if you’re reading this: it worked.