Brimfield and the Presidential Election.

For the last several years I've been visiting the Brimfield flea market, or more properly the Brimfield Antique Show. While I occasionally buy something my purpose is usually photographic -- having been tipped off awhile ago by Stan Kaufman about the prospects for interesting images among the displays. What struck me this year was the extent of political discussion I heard as I wandered around this Saturday (5/17) looking for images to make.

The vendors pretty much know each other and if they don't at first they do get acquainted over the week they spend together on the ground. These are your basic entrepreneurs – engaged in a market and trying to turn a profit from a part or full time business. Trying to match supply and demand with varying degrees of formality. The bottom line is they're there to make a sale. This is market economics at its most basic and one would think that these folks would vote repub.

Suffice it to say they're not happy with Commandate El Busho and more given to wondering how the next prez, whoever that is, will get us out of the mess we're in. The suck up to the Saudis routine didn't go over real well either. No one overheard in a political discussion seemed happy.

While Ebay's cut into the business, Brimfield remains a northeast regional, if not a national, event. So if the entrepreneurial folks assembled here are any indication, McCain will have a difficult time shrugging off Bush and while Obama's not a given, people are willing to listen.

Two more markets are scheduled for this year and it will be interesting to hear what follks are talking about as the summer progresses.