The Giant Hillsville Flea Market

The Giant Hillsville Flea Market
Special to the Riner Ramblins'

For the third consecutive year the dauntless Democracy Prevails team took on the Hillsville Gun Show and Flea Market.  Through the generosity of Mrs. Love Cox (91 years old), the DP gang had a great spot on Main Street, surrounded by socks, sheets, and Potato tornadoes. The tent housed an assortment of bumper stickers, buttons, and signs for some of the contenders for the Democratic nomination in 2008.

The merchandise was offered for a donation, and most people were happy to have a chance to promote their favorite candidate. Others were offended that they were expected to make a donation. When the team explained that the money stayed in the 9th District for the promotion of Democratic candidates, the response was varied.

Folks came from many different parts of this country. It seemed there were more people from North Carolina than from Virginia.  The DP team saw all these contacts as a way to promote Democratic causes and there were many interesting conversations.

"Both of my sons have been to Iraq and I do not want to see them go back. However, I don't see any good signs about the war ending."

On spotting Tom's Marine Corps shirt?"How can you as a Marine be a Democrat?" came the question. Tom, in his persuasive manner went on to explain how the Republican Congress has decimated so many programs for veterans, and why he felt a Democratic majority would be better for the country. The burly veteran was thoughtful. "I'm going to check into what you have told me. If you have your facts straight then I may consider voting Democratic this time."

There were lots of comments about the war that is growing increasingly unpopular, even in this hard core NRA crowd.

There were bumper stickers and buttons for Hillary, Obama, and Edwards. If the numbers distributed meant anything significant, which I don't think they do, Hillary was the most requested, followed closely by Obama, with John Edwards seeing the poorest distribution.

There were no petitions out to get names on the primary ballot because that is done by county, and the crowd was too varied, and from too many different spots.

On Sunday the team split up with Henry going to Acres of Democrats and Marcia and Tom manning the Hillsville station.  The whole weekend was a big effort. Tom, Marcia and Henry would depart before sunup from Riner and not return until after dark. Along the way they were joined by some great volunteers?thanks to all the volunteers.

One young man begged for a Hillary yard sign...there was only one thanks to Gail, FOB. The young man was very appreciative and proudly posted it outside his food wagon. By the next morning it was gone.

At the Acres of Democrats rally, our 9th District Congressman Rick Boucher was urgently nudging Mark Warner to announce for U.S. Senate. Our popular ex-governor said he will think about it for a couple of weeks, but the enthusiastic crowd was hoping for an immediate positive response. 

So by Monday evening it was all over but the shouting. From the number of donations it seems there were at least 1500 bumper stickers and buttons out in the area. Henry came back to Riner and started replenishing the supplies, getting ready for the Fall Festivals coming up.

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