Finishing a Naomi Klein book before attending a legislator's press event was a mistake

The first words out of my state senator’s mouth were “funny things happen in an election year,” an empty platitude used to explain away the complete, utter bullshit that happens at the national level whenever Republicans don’t get their way.

This senator, who goes unnamed mostly to protect my easily-identifiable ass, is one of the few Republicans I have respect for. She’s a loud voice in favor of nuclear energy and an “environmentalist,” if we’re using the loose definition used in politician-friendly news releases.

But mostly, she’s nice to me, voted in favor of laws protecting trans and queer folk, and doesn’t share her public opinion on abortion. The bar is that low.

We received four inches of rain from Friday into Sunday, a fact that burned into my mind on the drive over when I noticed all the flooded fields. It’s late April, early planting season, and there’s not a farmer to be found.

One representative, a farmer, said he was glad for the rain because it gave him a day off.

That same farmer wouldn’t stop talking about how great ethanol is and how we need more natural gas, and the senator agreed with him and riffed a bit while I stared out the window at the flooded golf course behind them. The only thing I enjoy about these country club events is the food. The food is pretty solid.

Funny things happen in an election year.

The senator said this because a bill she at least partially advocated for, the Inflation Reduction Act, is currently at risk because her fellow Republicans are a bunch of obnoxiously whiny babies. She’s in favor of the bill because it loosens the grip on nuclear energy and allows for smaller projects, and her senate district includes more nuclear power plants than any other senate district in the country. A lot of people, like her and some members of my family, have comfortable lives and houses and boats because of the nuclear power plants. Some good old-fashioned government incentives will go a long way toward getting them that second boat or maybe even a vacation home amidst the sea of corn.

If they weren’t getting loaded off them, would nuclear receive the same pushback as every wind and solar project? I asked and was assured it was not the same. I’d like to believe her.

These events are as much about playing the game for me as they are getting words in the newspaper. I despise playing the game because the more I play along, the more I feel like I don’t have a right to complain.

I can’t be an activist and remain employed, though. I’d lose my job quickly. Takedowns of beloved local politicians aren’t advertiser-friendly, and we’re in desperate need of advertisers.

There’s no solution or a way out, beyond quitting and seeking employment elsewhere.

Hey, maybe if I get that steady $50k a year and a house, I’ll finally put my frustrations to use and quit this useless complaining.

In other news: Where have I been?

I was in St. Louis with a friend for AEW Dynasty, which was a pretty damn good time! Then the entire week after was a mess because I can't take a trip without forgetting a bunch of things I can't afford to forget. Maybe I'll even write about it.