Straight-Talk On McCain From Seasoned Ariz. Politico

Francine Shacter had her first political discussion at the age of 6 when a classmate told her Franklin Roosevelt would lose the upcoming presidential election. Shacter "wouldn't let her get away with that!" And 74 years later, when it comes to politics, she still won't let anyone get away with anything.

In a state known for straight shooters, this former Congressional candidate with 31-plus years of government service is a modern-day version of Wyatt Earp. Francine Shacter is the real straight-talk express. Opinionated and informed, Shacter offers a unique perspective that comes from being actively involved in politics for most of her 80 years. "There are advantages to being as old as I am," Shacter says with a smile. "What I've seen and the changes I've lived through, believe me, it runs the gamut. It's the whole tamale."

In her years with the Bureau of Census and Consumer Product Safety Commission, Shacter served with a number of people she greatly admired. Some were Republicans, some Democrats. But now she says Republicans have "lost their moral compass," and they've lost Shacter's respect as well. Her strongest words are reserved for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. "John McCain hasn't been to work in over four months. He takes his government health care and vests his government pension; you could say he's got the American people subsidizing his campaign. John McCain" she says emphatically, "is not a maverick. He's the devil incarnate." And Shacter finds him, like other Republicans, guilty of a very serious charge. "Republicans don't want people to think of themselves as their brother's keeper anymore. Instead they push the idea of us versus them." And that, Shachter says, is destructive to our entire democracy.

I asked Shacter which Arizona issue she'd raise if she had the candidates' attention for 10 minutes; she brought up one of Arizona's biggest issues and, Shacter feels, its most complex: illegal immigration. "It's a problem that's got to be looked at from every angle," Shacter said. "Why are all these illegal immigrants coming to Arizona, what's fueling their need to come here? I abhor illegal activity as much as anyone but how are you going to find and deport a mass humanity of people who are living under the radar?" On this as on all issues, Shacter doesn't mince words. "Anyone who says they have a quick and simple solution to the problem of illegal immigration is blowing smoke up their ass." On the national level she's concerned about the economy, and thinks the past shows the way to a solution. "We should go back to Keynesian economics; rebuilding our infrastructure has a multiplying effect on jobs and earnings. We don't have much choice; something's got to be done before more bridges fall down." And she's greatly concerned about the ever-increasing role corporations play on the national scene. "Corporations now function as a shadow government, not elected and not representative. They need to be regulated. Now."

While well aware of the magnitude of the problems facing the country, Shacter remains an optimist, and very proud to be a Democrat. "The Democratic party has always been the Large Umbrella. This is the party of Fannie Lou Hamer. In 1964 Fannie Lou Hamer, the daughter of a sharecropper, stood in front of the Democratic National Convention Credentials Committee and demanded that black people be admitted as Mississippi delegates to the '64 Convention. And now this same party will put into nomination the name of the man who I hope will be elected the first black president of the United States."

The straight talker from Tucson Arizona can't wait to see that.

Comments

[RenoSage]

Well said. There is one octogenarian who is not confused.

[wheresthebeef]

Schachter for President!