Bundling

In colonial America, what seems strange to the oldest of us must seem weird and mystical to the youngest of us.

Early colonial homes, conservation of space, quilts, beds were often shared. This was known as Bundling. I'm sure they were feather beds. A partition down the middle of the bed “supposedly” limiting intimacy. I am told this took place during “courting”. There were no vehicles, for one reason or another, a male courting a female could not return home at night. Often it was a matter of age, visitors. Perhaps this is where the many stories about traveling salesmen originated.

I still remember the partition down the middle of our country church. The females sat on the left side of the church and the males on the right side. A wooden separation barrier ran down the pews. “Young fellas” on the right might sneak a wink at the girls on the left. The only place my married ancestors sat together was at the side of the pulpit (The amen corner) I am not sure how old my ancestors couples were, before they were allowed to sit together.

In the early southern, rural churches, just as in the early, southern movie theatres, a balcony at the rear where the blacks sat. The only time, in my old country church that the married couples, both black and white, sat together, was at a funeral. It seems that at this time of sadness, barriers were taken down.

We are not sure about the Bundling techniques of the bedroom, anymore than we are informed about the Bundling techniques of the smoke-filled rooms of the political camps.

There have been many great mysteries of mind in my life. I have never understood how certain people obtained political significance... how they actually found enough people to vote for them to gain office. Some of the least competent less intelligent people I have known actually were elected.

In colonial America, even George Washington just stood for office. They were asked by their fellow citizens to stand for office. It was simply a matter of paying a filing fee. Political expenses such as advertising were almost unknown, certainly no more than posters, flyers, billboards. I well remember the first political advertisements on radio. We thought these people had lost their minds begging voters to vote for them and, then, big time organizations. Politicians actually going into the communities to meet and greet people, give speeches.

I well remember, this veteran asked to introduce politicians to civic groups, veterans groups.

In a politician's resume, his flyer, early newspaper ads, an always smiling photograph of the candidate, a list of his/her community involvement. It was very necessary for them to have a church membership, served his/her country as a veteran, member of civic clubs, social clubs (Elk, Moose, Masons, etc). and, always must be a family person. Of course, in the big cities, unions and organized labor played a tremendous part. Among the democrats, machine politics such as Tammany Hall in New York, Daley in Chicago, Pendergast in St. Louis, etc. Corruption in politics keeping campaign workers in line, getting out the vote, promises of future jobs, importance of ethnic minorities, giving blacks “walking around money” for their vote has become a matter of American duplicity. Absorption of the tremendous money involved is attributed to the state-controlled media. In my lifetime, a local politician, even US Representative or Senator could run a respectable political campaign with just a few thousand dollars. Now, if you cannot raise millions, you are out of the game.

Joseph Kennedy, rich from bootlegging, womanizer, embarrassment to America at the court of Saint James, father of JFK and RFK, so deceitful, that Eleanor Roosevelt would not even attend the inauguration of JFK because she refused to sit on the platform with his father. Joseph Kennedy said there are 3 rules for success in politics Rule #1 money, Rule #2 money, Rule #3 more money. Obama bought the last presidency just as Clinton bought his presidency... the cost about $1Billion.

Federal, state, even local elections depend almost completely on money. Locally, I supported a man who I never expected to win with my vote and some money. Now, I find he does not have a job, is messed up with a strange woman, his fellow politicians asking him to resign. This shows what can happen when you do not investigate, incompetence can win.

Representative Ron Paul is the only candidate running for president, either party, worthy of the job. His legal advisor, Bruce Fein said it all. “He is the only candidate in the field who understands and practices the constitutional principles and philosophy of the Founding Fathers that made this nation a government of the people, by the people, for the people. He is the only candidate who knows that limited government and war are antonyms, not synonyms. He is the only candidate who repudiates aimless, endless wars at extravagant expense. And Dr. Paul is the only candidate that recognizes that the glory of a Republic is liberty, not domination.”

Bruce Fein is the last person I would have thought Paul would have picked as his adviser. But, then, Paul recognizes talent, temperament, trials. Such legal expertise is usually not found in the head of one person... national, international, all aspects of government. Now I understand that his brilliant mind has been used and abused so that he can well serve Paul.

Pity, an embarrassment, that North Carolina's first incompetent woman governor does not have such an adviser.

I still remember those model “A” Fords, drivers being paid a few dollars for work, bringing in registered voters from the hinterlands and swamps of the county. Whites being given a plate of Barbecue, blacks a candy bar and a Pepsi, for letting someone mark their ballot a certain way. Politics is a dirty, grimy, grisly business. Perhaps, the last fledglings of Bundling.