My butcher's name is Vinny and he will not watch tonight's debate

[Cyrano]

Vinny is 87 years old and, with the help of his son, runs a small butcher shop.

Like Vito Corleone in "The Godfather," he recalls sailing into New York harbor and seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time. He remembers Franklin Roosevelt and still believes that FDR was sent by God to save America.

I always spend time talking with him whenever I go into his shop, and over the past dozen or so years, I have seen him moved to tears over what has happened to America. He doesn't have a degree in economics, political science, the arts, or the humanities. He never graduated from high school.

But this is a man who understands what America is supposed to be about. He understands that our freedoms have been stolen from us one by one. He understands that the American people have been taken in time and time again by people who care only about themselves. Living in Florida, he is convinced that his 2000 vote was stolen from him.

I asked Vinny why he wasn't going to watch the debate and he told me it was "a puppet show. It was people on strings. It was words being spoken by people you don't see." He also used an Italian phrase which his son translated for me as best he could. "It's an illusion made up to fool people."

If only the vast majority of Americans possessed the wisdom of this man.

[Hydra]

1. Amazing the wisdom we spurn in favor of illusions we want to believe

The fight for freedom is mocked by the people who don't value it.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

11. That is why I love Lala Rawraw so much.

Here is a woman, a Ukranyan immigrant, who schools us every time she writes on the things that are really important about being American. Not "America's Got Talent!" but the real stuff, stuff worth cherishing and protecting.

If I was only 20 years younger...*sigh* ;-)

[Warpy]

2. Vinny is a wise man

but the words the puppets will be speaking will be as stark an illustration of the difference between the two parties as last week's presidential debate was.

The difference is what each party thinks drives our economy. The GOP thinks our economy runs on war. The Democrats think it runs on wages.

You need to vote for what you want more of: WAR or WAGES.

Of course, tonight's fake debate will also be a stark illustration of one party's habit of running wonks while the other runs blithering idiots.

[babylonsister]

3. So Vinny won't vote at all? nt

[Cyrano]

5. He didn't say that. He's always been proud that he always voted.

He only said that he wasn't going to watch the debate.

Vinny is a die-hard Roosevelt Democrat and the only thing that could stop him from voting would be death itself.

[babylonsister]

6. Thanks. I do appreciate Vinny's take, and am glad he votes.

There are people (like many of my out-laws) who don't even bother voting. I find that discouraging.

[BuyingThyme]

4. Thank you.

[MissMarple]

7. He's got that right. I am ambivalent about watching.

I may start out with it, but if it is too much of a sham, I'm bailing.

[FatDave]

8. "an illusion made up to fool people."

I'd love to know what that Italian phrase is. Anybody know? It should be incorporated into English. I guess "ruse" comes close, but it's missing a bit of the "illusion" vibe.

[Gregorian]

9. I have a father like that.

Similar in a number of ways. But he'll be glued to the debate. And so will I.

What I've learned on DU is that this is the only show in town. And it has turned ugly. Or at least it's the ugly part that we have to pay attention to. I used to wonder why people on this forum were watching Fox, or spending time dissecting bills and literature. Because we can't let them get away with it any longer. Someone has to do it.

My dad had a friend who used to tell him to stop watching the news. I asked him if he was a republican. Yes, he was. To ignore is typical republican behavior. And I refuse to do it. I'm paying attention even if it means watching the Repub convention. That was sickening. But I know my enemy.

[hamsterjill]

10. Neat!

I think it's neat that you've built up a friendship with this very wise gentleman!

Vinny gets it, doesn't he???!!

[Naturyl]

12. He knows the score.

Still, I'm going to watch, because like it or not, this is the puppet show we have.