The perks of being a senior citizen

I had a birthday this year… the first perk I noticed was a reduced price of a Perkin’s breakfast. The discount didn’t make the food any more enjoyable to know that I was just an older customer, but a nice “perk” all the same.

This past weekend I shopped out of town and found the coolest purse. When I went to pay for it the lady at the check out counter asked if I was a “senior citizen- 55 or older”. And, because I could honestly say I was, now when I look at my purse I have a visual reminder that I am getting on in years.

What does writing about these two perks have to do with politics? For me- a lot.

For a variety of reasons, I now have the opportunity to focus in on politics, to be grass roots, to work for candidates, to pay attention to what is going on so that I was informed and ready for the caucus and now for Election Day.

One important thing that I have noticed and am taking to heart is that I do not have much influence in the presidential race. The every day back and forth between the candidates, their supporters, the media, the slip ups, the promises- all of it can just go on and on without any chance for me to make much of a difference. I stick up for Sarah Palin at every opportunity, but I am kidding myself if I think that my meager attempt to point out media biases against Palin has an impact. Typing out good things Sarah does makes me feel better.

What matters to me, and I hope to lots of other voters, are the elections on the local and state level. We need to support and elect the best candidates to represent us.

My new understanding about local politics is helped along by the Iowa Brigade and the research we do about candidates and focusing on ones that reflect our views. We want to be a voice for conservatives and for family values. I am thankful that I have found a place where being a senior citizen really is a perk.