Around 1933, NYC Mayor Fiorello La Guardia declared, “There is no Democratic or Republican way to clean the streets.”
As a native New Yorker and the child of Reagan Democrats—my father, a Democrat, voted for Reagan in 1980—I carry the legacy of my family’s history. My family has witnessed both the splendor and decline of New York City from 1900 to today.
What insights can a native New Yorker, raised by Reagan Democrats, provide? I have engaged in politics at various levels since I was six. I humorously mark my formal entry into politics during the 1976 presidential campaign when my father enlisted my support for Jimmy Carter. The Bronx Democrat Club paid me a penny for every flyer I distributed promoting Carter for President. I also wrote a book report on Carter’s journey from humble beginnings to the highest office in the land.
The irony lies in each penny I received serving as a reminder to trust God, as this message was imprinted on the now soon-to-be non-existent currency.
This embodies the main principle of our Founding Fathers.
I identify as an American above any political label. You might consider me a naïve child of “liberal” parents, but I encountered political ideas without indoctrination. I learned to appreciate the core principles envisioned by our Founding Fathers and came to value the essence of living in a Republic. While my father and I disagreed on specifics, he instilled in me the crucial responsibility of choosing a candidate wisely, whether for dogcatcher or President.
We were fortunate not to have been founded as a dictatorship or monarchy. I cherished the ability to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and to observe a moment of silence in a New York City classroom. We must now pass down the important virtue of allegiance to God and country through example. Its not about what political party you support.
My grandfather was a World War I veteran who worked for Mayor LaGuardia, instilled this in me. I vividly remember his stories about the Great Depression and the Holocaust, along with the old 78 RPM records of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats.
Growing up in 1970s NYC shaped my experience amidst bankruptcy and corruption. My father was deeply involved with the Bronx Democrat Club and served as a NYC referee/judge while managing to avoid corruption himself.
Many older New Yorkers will remember Bronx Borough President Stanley Simon, who ultimately served ten years in federal prison.
Mr. Simon’s story serves as a cautionary tale for New Yorkers of any political affiliation; his corruption led to his downfall. Urban blight eroded integrity and values. For present-day NYC, perhaps history must repeat itself, or perhaps we can return to the principles envisioned by our Founding Fathers. I choose to hold onto hope inspired by them, keeping a penny in my pocket to remind me to trust God first.
