THE KNIFE
Caucus Day February 1,2016 - From a First Timer. What a
day. Exciting, educational, tiring and
social. We started our day out by
traveling to Cedar Rapids to hear Donald Trump. We knew we were going to be
scanned like at the airports; but when we got closer Jason (our son in law)
turned to us and said, does Dad have his pocket knife? Yes, why?
The guy ahead of him was turned back as he wanted to keep his and took
it back to his car. So we asked Dad
(Bill) if he wanted his (which I already knew, it was duller than a kitchen
knife). We (I) panicked and said go put
it in that flower pot over there; Dad said NO, they'll see me. LOL
So a couple of more steps and we were next; emptied pockets, then told
the officers and they took it and Dad said, just throw it away. So, they did. LOL
Huge crowd, standing room
only. We got very good seats. We sat right next to a good couple who were
very social. During our conversation he
mentioned, Minnesota. That perked up my
ears and I said where in Minnesota? Park
Rapids, Fargo Moorhead and Dilworth areas.
Well, drop my jaw and call me Betty!!
Small world. We had a laughing
good time. They now live in Cedar
Rapids; but go back to the area to visit family.
From the time we sat down to
the time they arrived, it was an hour.
Trump was 20 minutes late, they had planned on flying from Waterloo; but
the fog was so bad - they had to drive it.
But everyone was very patient.
First on stage was Sarah Palin, she only spoke for about 5 minutes and
then introduced Donald Trump. We really
enjoyed his speech and he shared many viewpoints with humor as well. We are supporting Donald Trump, if you have
not figured that out by now.
We do not want any longer
the career politicians! We need someone
who has an established record of getting things done with a superior mind and a
clear vision. Someone who knows how to
get things done; bring back our military to where it should be; negotiate deals
for America's benefit and foremost says it like it is and means what he says.
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Later
that day, at 6 pm we went to register at our local caucus. We meet at a middle
school here in Vinton. After registering
we were told to find our classroom #2 and find a seat. There were 6 adults and 2 children in our
own group. At 7 pm the chairman
addressed our own room (the town was divided up by precincts). We stood and Pledged Alliance to the
flag. After which, he opened it up to
the audience to speak up for their candidate.
Several spoke up for Cruz, a few for Rubio and finally Bill spoke up for
Trump. Once he shared, several others
did as well for Trump.
Finally, there
was a paper ballot where we wrote down our choice. Ballots were counted in the open; a head
count was taken to match the ballots.
Trump won in our precinct. One
thing I was astounded at, was the courtesy and respect everyone gave to the
other. Our chairman, at the end,
reminded us all what our goal was in being there and in the end to be united for
our party. There was laughter and good
times by all.
There was one man there in
his 90's, on oxygen and stood up. You
could tell he loved his country and said it would probably be his last time at
a caucus's but wanted to share his thoughts. It was at a time, when the chairperson,
opened the floor for any of us to bring "planks" to be brought up at
the Regional Convention in March; he wanted it brought up about Climate Control
insomuch as the wording to be changed to reflex a broader meaning not just
climate. Others brought up: Term Limits, Abortions eliminated, emanate domain,
and in Iowa to have a law to protect you from bringing harm to anyone entering
your house against your wishes, without being put in jail. If you harm them in your home, you had better
keep them inside before calling the police now. It's called Standing your Ground. Finally, they asked for delegates for the
regional and national conventions. In
all, it took about 2 hours.
It
was an enlightening day. Won't be our
last and Bill won't bring knives to the fight again!
