Like the vast majority of teens and young adults from my generation who were the first to vote at age 18 (the 26th Amendment in effect on July 1, 1971), I was the typical youthful know-it-all full of ignorant naiveté and ideas that were in line with the liberal mindset that bordered on socialist utopianism. I argued with my father—sometimes close to the point of fist-fights—over political issues of the late 60s through the mid-70s. On several occasions, he pointed out that perhaps I should put my principles into action and flee from the obvious tyranny of living under his roof and his rules that his principles and labor had provided.
Yep, I was the typical young and principled Democrat. I was an idiot. My father understood, gritted his teeth on many occasions, and, I’m sure, continued to repress his desire to punch me out after I had deliberately worked to push his buttons. I never gave him the credit he deserved.
