Thanksgiving Reflections: An Ode to Gluttony

Old news flashes across an electronic sign outside a
local middle school. (Photo: Mark Ruquet)

By Mark E. Ruquet

After celebrating our annual day of gluttony I thought taking a walk around the block would be an effective way of helping my digestion. Passing the nearby middle school, an electronic billboard sitting in front of the building announcing the school’s fall schedule caught my eye. It was not updated and I was amused to see the announcement of school closure for Election Day on Nov. 4. I soon found myself reflecting on the results of just a few weeks back and on what has happened since that day when the Democrats took a drumming and Republicans found themselves no longer in the position of the opposition party – except for its ongoing war with President Obama.

For myself, my candidate lost. In fact, my spouse did not even cause a ripple of notoriety or controversy. As I had written prior to the election, I was both disappointed and dissatisfied with the quality of the candidates running for Staten Island’s Congressional seat. While he has demonstrated his sensitivity for the needs of the residents of Staten Island, incumbent Republican Congressman Michael Grimm fell out of my favor because of his legal situation. As for Democrat Domenic Recchia, there is no other way of describing his campaign as a poor choice who was ill prepared and ineffective. As I said, in my mind, my choice was my wife and I took the extraordinary step of writing her in.

The result was disappointment. We did not receive a single phone call from the press and there was no celebration or crowds outside the house. She did not make a concession phone call or prepare a press release. Her moment of political celebrity did not go to her head. She was asleep before the end of the 11 o’clock news after an agonizing session of Candy Crush.

I guess I can only blame myself for her failed campaign. Well not really her campaign since I know she did not vote for herself. I guess it would help if next time (if there is a next time) I should get her to cast a ballot in her name.

Having failed to make a dent in the mainstream electorate, I decided my next social statement would be against the ongoing diminution of the holiday spirit as more retailers open their doors for business on Thanksgiving Day. I voted with my feet taking a trip around the block instead of the mall. Unfortunately, listening to the news reports about all the long lines and mad crowds storming the stores it appears the retailers have succeeded in further undermining another holiday, cracking the whip, hauling employees away from the family meal and forcing them to deal with the hordes of holiday bargain hunters.

Retail is a hard business. Profits are thin and black Friday got its name because this time of the year can make or break some retailers. I've heard a few reports that Friday sales were off from last year, which raises the question - is it worth it? Are we living to work or working to live?  

Personally, I prefer the latter. Maybe next year more people will follow my example and reject the retailer’s practice that has not received a rousing endorsement in the public opinion polls. So come along and let's join in making a new trend and have an extra helping of gluttony next Thanksgiving then take a walk around the block instead of the mall – you’ll feel better for it. Trust me.