Yellow balloons of all sizes, tied securely to ribbons of various lengths, bobbed haphazardly upward from the front of the cash register at the back entrance to the Sears store in Presque Isle. Each balloon was decorated with the face of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the presidential candidate for the year 1960. The opposing candidate, Richard Nixon, had no bouncy balloons or posters on display.
The lovely associate attending to the cash register handed me a balloon, and I accepted it gladly. “Don’t let go,” she warned. “If you hold on tight, the balloon will not get away, but if you are careless and let it slip through your fingers, it will be gone forever.”
I remember asking my mother if Kennedy would be the one she chose, and her only reply was that he sure was a good looking young man, but he probably wouldn’t win even if she did vote for him. Nearly three years later I watched my mother fall to her knees in front of our black and white TV, her shoulders shaking as she wept while watching the CBS news special report, informing a wounded America that its beloved young president, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, had been assassinated.
I have always avoided incorporating basic political views into my writing. For one thing, I do not feel that I possess the knowledge or the finesse to risk the chance of finding myself facing the possibility of a debate with one (or many) more qualified to go into battle. In other words, I wouldn’t have a leg to stand on! It would cause great frustration for my opponent and pathetic embarrassment for yours truly. Having said all of this, however, I am finding it impossible to remain silent in regard to the presidential candidates of present day.
In my opinion, the office of President of the United States of America may be the most powerful and influential position on the face of the earth. This man or woman will go down in the history books as a main character in the story of the world. With this distinction come dignity, pride, intelligence, diplomacy, bravery, and compassion.
The man or woman who so proudly leads this beautiful land must show respect for his or her fellow countrymen, countrywomen, themselves, and the world. There is no place for viciousness, sarcasm, hateful rivalry, tasteless remarks, and anger. The person who is placed in the role of Commander in Chief must hold to a higher standard. This position is not a conquest or a brief stint for one who has “done it all.”
And while the thought of someone obsessed with power and fame filling the presidential slot is devastating, the fact that we are even entertaining the possibility of electing such a candidate is tragic. Just imagine a Reagan, Kennedy, Eisenhower or even a Lincoln sitting in the audience during a Democratic or Republican debate. I do believe our forefathers are more than likely rolling around in their graves at this very moment; asking themselves how the presidential race became nothing more than a joust of name calling, lewd remarks, and damaging falsehoods.
There are some things in this world that are sacred and demand integrity, and the race for the Oval Office, or for that matter any office of leadership, is one of those things. We are all cognizant to the truth that not all of the men we have placed in the White House throughout history have been of perfect character or without fault.
I was 5 years old on the day I carried my bright yellow balloon out of the store with my mom holding my hand. We drove home gingerly; so careful not to jostle the car and cause the balloon to burst. Of course, the balloon eventually deflated and became nothing more than a tiny mound of rubber, still clinging to the black ribbon; the face of JFK unrecognizable.
Just as I hung on to that balloon, I have clung to those moments. Even now, when I think of an election year, I recall that feeling of celebration, anticipation, and hope.
I cannot help but wonder the impact the 2016 election will have on these young and impressionable minds; these future citizens and leaders. Let us hope the speeches riddled with words that need to be “bleeped out,” delivered by red-faced angry men and women, become nothing more than unpleasant, short-lived memories. And let us pray there are still Dr. Martin Luther Kings, Reagans, JFKs, Roosevelts, Eisenhowers, and yes, even Lincolns, somewhere out there ready to step forward and rescue our nation.
Belinda Wilcox Ouellette lives in Connor with her husband, Dale, and their Goldendoodle, Barney Rubble. You may contact Belinda online at dbwouellette@maine.rr.com.
