Politics in action - high school style

It's been a big week politically, hasn't it?  Not sure what went down in your state, but things were 'exciting' here in Illinois.  It only took until today to decide if we'd get a new governor - we did not.  But given our history, the incumbent will likely be imprisoned within 18 months.  Other states managed to not elect a few of the cast of crazies that were running - Christine O'Donnell and Sharron Angle, I'm talking about you - while it looks like a few got in - ahem, Jerry Brown.  It's been a bruising few months of horrific campaign ads.  I'm all kinds of glad that it's over.

While all these shenanigans were unfolding, we had our own campaign raging here in the Den.  The Boy decided to run for Freshman Class Representative at his high school.  When he decided to run, we had to sign off on an agreement that made the Magna Carta look like light bathroom reading and we had to agree to all kinds of campaign rules, including a spend limit of $30.  I'd like to suggest that said limit be imposed on state and federal elections as well.

So, armed with a $30 limit, boundless creativity and a nuclear-powered personality, the Boy was off to run for class rep.  And ran he did.  His campaign slogan - 'Keeping it real everyday.'  His campaign premiums - duct-tape bracelets in his school colors and six t-shirts that his sister, CAL, helped design.  Said shirts were worn and by his friends throughout the campaign week.  I'm totally cool with not getting them back.  Have you hung around freshmen boys?  They either reek of Axe or just plain reek.  He gave three campaign speeches yesterday, all of which he described as totally off the cuff.

Well, it worked.  The Boy came home today, excited to report that he'd been elected!  And so begins his career in leadership, not politics.  He's a natural.  Very excited for him.  And pretty darn proud!