Search
 

A Talk With My Contractor

I have a place in rural America --beautiful north woods where the locals are hard working, older, white and not terribly prosperous. The caretaker on my property, let's call him "Frank", fits the bill. He's 70, a Democrat, winters near Tampa in a trailer, and works at least part of all days...

By Jonathan D. Miller | Updated on May 15, 2008

I have a place in rural America –beautiful north woods where the locals are hard working, older, white and not terribly prosperous. The caretaker on my property, let’s call him “Frank”, fits the bill. He’s 70, a Democrat, winters near Tampa in a trailer, and works at least part of all days on various jobs for area homeowners. Down in Florida he keeps busy as a clerk in a Home Depot.

Frank and I were checking a roof on the property and Frank had plenty to say as usual in a cheerful banter. First of all, no way is he voting for Obama. Why not? He was a big Kerry supporter and a local Democratic committeeman. “Not my kind and I’m not racist, but don’t trust him.” He went on to tell me how the locals coming into the Home Depot called Obama a “c—” (a highly inflammatory word for black) and one guy even said “the Klan would take care of him.” Frank said “He hadn’t heard talk like that in years.” He didn’t subscribe to that sort of extreme thinking, “but I served in the army with (blacks) and they’re all the same.”

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.