I got an uncomplimentary note from a person who insinuated that I ought to frivolously go dancing with my missus rather than be commenting on the serious business of the SNPJ. The writer also adds that I ought to untangle myself from my mixed up world and see what is happening to our society meaning SNPJ. I'm well aware that most people look on dancing as silly, but I can't help pointing out its virtues. When one is dancing, one can't help smiling and feeling good, and we desperately need more of this kind of feeling. However, lets dwell on SNPJ principles and our dedication to improving the workers' lot which my critic feels are an issue.
Let's see if our declaration of principles is endangered by scheming upstarts. I see no risk there as our declaration is also guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
Once upon a time our Society was quite a bit socialistic. Today hardly anyone mentions its early socialist leaning except me. I question some tactics, but I discuss the matter at least.
There was a good case for our Society when it was founded to become engaged in promoting socialist programs. Our parents came to a land which gave the workers no unemployment insurance, no social security nor many social benefits we enjoy today.
There is little interest in talking for socialism as most things socialists advocated have been accepted and promoted by our major parties. the wind is out of our sails now, as people and politicians ask for more and more socialistic programs in everything but name.
As for me being mixed up, I make no such confession but I point to where there is a tangled mess we're all in.
I would like to know if there is a socialist or anyone who can come up with a sensible program to relieve the energy crisis. I'm not putting too much hope in solar power to be developed in the distant future. I want to know what do we do now!
Now as to following labor leaders which our Society promotes, I ask who? Consider these contrary recommendations by our big labor leaders: Tom Meany of the AF of L says that we ought to take no oil from the Arabs. On the other hand, Leonard Woodcock, the leader of the Auto Workers, says that we ought to just use foreign oil and save ours. Should either one of these programs be adopted the price of oil would skyrocket.
I have quite a bit of admiration for those who go into politics. As a rule, they are the best people of a community, and any other thinking is envy and belly-aching. The politicians dare to stand up in the public fishbowl and recount their virtues for all of us to either hoot or approve. When we find them faulty, we fire them. They take these risks as well as give up quite a bit of privacy.
Dennis Eckart is one helluva nice image for an organization to have near its top. He's handsome, got brains, and fortune smiled on him as he was recently elected to the State Legislature. On top of that, he also passed the bar not long ago.
He's a friendly young man and has many friends. The proof in that is that when he recently married the sweet and lovely Sandy Pestotnik, the wedding reception at the spacious Slovene Auditorium was packed with over a thousand well-wishing guests.
We were also there, and though there was a helluva lot of people, the service and the dinner were excellent. There was even room in the upstairs ballroom for dancing which, of course, we did our share of. This was a real sweet affair and Dennis among his other accomplishments even joined the hand and played a button box for dancing.
To add to the charm of the wedding reception, the ritual of the traditional Slovene wedding was performed. Following this there was the "Poustertanc" with a circle of hand-holding dancers moving around.
The missus and I got into the large winding circle and it got so big that we got lost in the curves it took and never got to kissing the bride. Anyhow, best wishes to the newlyweds and may good fortune continue to smile on you.