Code Neon Blue!

Lamar was privileged to host Mark Udall for an IdeaRaiser/Town Hall yesterday. I just wrote a serious-news style piece for the Local Buzz, so before I move on to my blog-analysis post, I’m going to kick back with one that’s just for self-indulgent fun.

Ladies and gentlemen, Mike and Mark!

My son Mike got an early start in being exposed to politicians when he attended the kick-off of Gail Schoettler’s horseback ride across Colorado to promote her running for Governor. We used to have a picture of Gail posing with Mike and his Bert doll, but it got ruined in a water-heater flood.

Mike started taking an actual interest in politics about the same time I got interested again, because of all my praise for the guy he thought was named Power Dean. Even though he is sometimes shy about talking to strangers, and gets a little bored if an event drags on too long, he likes to attend political meetings.

I had explained the purpose of Saturday’s meeting to him by saying Congressman Udall wanted to hear about things that had people worried, like needing more money for schools, and more chances to be able to go to the doctor when they were sick.

Then I asked him what he thought was a problem that needed attention. I should have guessed — we need more trains. But he didn’t say it JUST because he’s a major railfan. We’ve talked about how trucks are used more than trains to move goods because trucks are cheaper to operate. Fuel is getting more and more expensive, though, so he thinks maybe trains will go back to being the best deal. Also, we should have light rail going between all the towns in the United States.

I told him he could say all that at the meeting if he wanted to, but if he didn’t feel like it, that was okay too. He made me promise to help him. Sure enough, the hope of getting more future train action helped him overcome his usual bashfulness and he spoke right out when it was his turn.

Later on, several other people brought the topic of trains or light rail back up when they talked, and he was delighted. “They like my ideas!” he whispered to me with a big grin.

You can’t buy good feelings like that with any amount of money.