I am a Democrat -- a blue state guy who happens to live in a very red state environment. A voice in what I perceive to be The Wilderness while the other side basks in their political Garden of Eden.

Following are a few very brief thoughts which will hopefully help explain how I got to where I am.

Throughout high school and college and at the beginning of my business career I remained on the political sidelines. As I moved up the corporate ladder I began to notice all the top managers were Republican. They constantly espoused their beliefs while I went my merry way, working hard and trying to ignore what I thought was meaningless gibberish.

As my supervisory skills evolved I developed a style I like to call MBWA: Management by Walking Around. I got out of my office and listened and learned from those who occupied the rows and rows of desks stretching across the floors. I was building trust.

With the increase in responsibility I found I was the only one at the executive level who was bringing up and talking about people issues. The others found financial statements more interesting as they constantly disparaged “that blankety, blank union.” And they combined such talk with Republican doctrine. I was at a crossroads. Should I go right or should I go left? So I chose.

Thinking back the decision was relatively easy as I had found that I identified more and more with those who purchased their clothes at Target rather than my fellow executives in their suits, white shirts, and ties.

I preferred the union hall over the board room; beer versus martinis. I had morphed into a progressive. It just sort of happened. I had become the executive suites token yet vocal Democrat!