probably a metaphor

Thank you for answering, sorry about the long delay from my end. (Headaches, working, moving, etc.) The congressman I was thinking of was John Katko, from Syracuse, so not that far from your neck of the woods. He was among the 10 that voted to impeach Trump. (I read this article from NPR.) There's an interesting mix of politicians in the so-called "moderate" areas of NY... There's only one in my current home state of Ohio, Anthony Gonzalez... he's the one I think you were thinking of... from an area up by Cleveland that's been so gerrymandered it actually split the close-together cities of Canton and Massillon, rather ridiculously and obviously for some nefarious purpose. I spent a number of formative years living north of Albany, and I think that stint, patterned by exiles in much more liberal communities around Minneapolis, and then in rural Ohio, has given me a chance to ... not necessarily see things clearly... but to be aware of political facets. Not always to my benefit.

The neighbor still has his "creepy Joe" sign out... and I think there's still a small trump sign by his mailbox. But I assume, at this point, he's intending it to mean the Anglo-slang word for "fart" and not the dreadful president that just faded into Florida.

I hope your friend is settling in, despite the right-wing activism. How is she doing? If she needs a breath of fresh air, I recommend a visit to nearby Yellow Springs. She'll see that there are still sane people. Although Montgomery County (where Dayton is) tends to be a bit more democratic. There's still a rurality in Ohio... just like anywhere, they have a tendency to vote conservatively. Ohio is peppered with poor towns and dying ones that Trump never would've visited or cared to hear about (much like die-hard Trumpist and local political idiot, Jim Jordan), and I think it's that hypocrisy (among a lot of others) that angers me the most. Appalachian Ohio, so devastated by living with antiquated ideas, and rusting and falling in on itself, mostly voted for Trump—and I can't understand that, either. I kept wanting to tell them, "What do you think he's going to do for you?" Besides lie about coal and all that... and ohshitdonteevengetmestarted... Maybe your friend could do some volunteering for the Democrats... or for something along those lines that would help her bring common sense to those unfortunate souls who have allowed themselves to be misguided! I tried to volunteer for the democratic candidate here running for Congress, but she never came to this area and spent more time in the richy parts of the district. That figures. She is also from one of the wealthiest cities in Ohio, so I can't see that it's much of a difference. Though I still wanted her to win, but she took only 32% of the vote, I believe (just recounting from memory), which is very sad. When the change starts coming, if it ever does, it'll have to be from people willing to think for themselves and not be influenced by parents, ancestors, selective media and a willingness to believe whatever they want regardless of facts.

Honestly, just glad someone else is in office that's actually presidential. There was a good cartoon the other day that showed the White House and a big banner hanging from the front, and it said, "Under New Management." That sums it up.