Santa Claus was on Exchange Street in the Old Port of Portland, Recently.

Yes, boys & girls of Maine.  Santa Claus is still relevent.  It’s hard to tell sometimes because his message of good will and kindness to each other has become so obscured by the darkness and evil that surrounds us these days; nationally, internationally as well as locally.

So much of the recent past that Santa has seemed irrelevant and distant.  But he isn’t.  With Trump soaking up as much attention as he can with his disgusting behavior – most of it trying to delay his impending dates in court and gin up his pro-ignorance base.

Looking overseas there is the ongoing cruel war of Putin on Ukraine.  The unbelievable strength and courage of the people of Ukraine is nothing short of inspiring.  And of course, there is the war between Israel and Hamas.  Efforts to release hostages in Gaza has overtaken the anger, frustration and prayers of so many, that at times it can be hard to focus – even on Trump’s horrific behavior.

Closer to home, there is the horrific murder of 18 people in Lewiston in October.  A situation that is under investigation by a blue ribbon commission appointed by Governor Janet T. Mills (D) to come up with answers to the many questions.   Even Portland’s own poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow has been left out in the cold this year.  For the first time this blogger can remember dear Mr Longfellow’s statute is missing the bright red scarf he usually wears around his neck by now.  Enough, enough already of this bad news!  stop it – it’s almost Christmas Day after all.  Give me some good news, please!

” Barring a Scrooge like do over by Trump and Putin,  I’m more relevant than I’ve ever been.  That’s because I’m a democrat.  I’ve always been a democrat.  I will always be a democrat.  It’s more important than ever to be a democrat. Democrats need to  vote next November to save our democracy,” said Santa recently.  He was checking out the supply of toys at a toy store on Exchange Street in case he ran short this year.   “Even from my vantage point way up north, I can see how Republicans are meddling and making these issues far worse then they need be.  Elected Republicans won’t even stand up to the criminal Trump,” he said shaking his head from side to side in disgust.

“Haven’t you noticed that the price of eggs is down 22%, the price of gas is down drastically and mortgage rates are  moving down too?  And unemployment remains low, very low. At least that’s  what I read in the ‘New York Times’.  And they know,” said Santa.  He went on to say that he supports women’s reproductive health care and Republicas don’t.  Republicans want to abolish the social safety net that Frances Perkins  initiated under President Roosevelt.   Her homestead is up in Newcastle on the River Road.   “I could go on,” he said. “But I won’t.  I promise.”

Suddenly Santa said he had to go because he had to feed Rudolph.  “He gets really fussy when he doesn’t eat when he’s hungry.  It’s not good for the morale of the team.”  Santa was gone in a flash – almost as quickly as he appeared on Exchange Street. “You can keep track of our progress by going to noradsanta.org.” he added as an after thought as he took off in the evening recently.  “Merry Christmas to all.”