Would you marry a Republican? If you're not already married to one.

One of my friends, is marrying a Republican, and he thinks she's compassionate. I still wonder how it is possible for a Republican to be compassionate.

Not in a box, not with a fox,
not in the rain, not on a train.
I do not like that kind of sham,
I do not like them Sam-I-Am.

eom

I know what kind of grief I put my ex-boyfriend through over a decade ago when *I* was a ditto-head self-styled Log-Cabin-Republican type.

-- Allen

it seems to be working for my sister

but she is not as vocal in her progressiv belief as I am

so I dunno

is going to marry a Democrat


go figure

... the sex must be FANTASTIC! I mean... think about it... it's JUST GOTTA BE!

a really long boring one though.

;)

... that makes a lot of sense.

-- Allen

PS: I love your avatar!

it's my favorite bd pic! :)

I can't believe you were a log-cabin republican. No wait, I can. I used to be a rush-limbaugh-listening (in the 6th grade mind you) anti-choice, anti-gay southern baptist. We should form a club. :p

the older sister of a friend of mine has in fact confirmed an encounter with the ragin cajun

apparently he has the nickname for a reason

:shrug:

Ever

No way

If the person is a repuke then obviously they may not believe in some of the issues and causes that I believe in as a DEM. I wouldn't want to be with someone with differs with me on certain issues.

:-(

When I'm with my Republican brother, we have to tiptoe carefully around any controversial topics, and he's not even that fanatical.

Having so many things you can't talk about is not a great basis for a relationship.

There are quite a few moderate Republicans in our country...These folks sound like and think a lot like Democrats. But my emphasis is on the word *moderate*! I don't think a liberal Dem. could be happily married to a right-wing nut...But this is just what I think.

It all depends on the person. And hey you might can even convert them and show them they're really a democrat. ;) My mother is no longer a republican and my dad is still one. They get a long fine (twenty-six years now).

Just as there are many issues defining each party, each member has some issues more important to them.

For example, let us say some one believes in a strong national defense. They would probably be a Republican. If you disagree with a strong national defense and are an ardent pacifist, you would probably have a hard time with this person. If however, you want to debate which party is better on defense, the issue doesn't necessarily have to be divisive (but you better know your facts).

Republicans who advocate less government are also "split." Some take the attitude that if you are poor it is because you are lazy and why should the government help you by taking money from hard working people? But I think some people truly believe that plans to redistribute money do not work. They believe caring for the poor is better done at a local level and by NGOs. When you talk about the crisis of uninsured, they don't say too bad, but point to the shortcoming of socialized medicine. It would be hard to have a conversation with the former sort (just an asshole) but not so hard with the latter.

You have to know your facts with "Compassionate Republicans", perhaps more so than the assholes because the former might actually LISTEN to reason, if you can provide it. Actually, some of these compassionate Republicans may be very idealistic. In their world view, if you cut taxes for the wealthy, they will create jobs and pay their workers well. If you give energy companies flexibility, they will work to reduce emissions and pollution because public opinion (and the market) demands it, therefore it will end up being more profitable. They will be also point out why the Democrats are wrong on ideas to help the poor. As an example they will point to countries that try to redistribute wealth through socialist fiscal policies (Canada, UK, Germany, etc). These nations have higher unemployment rates than the U.S. They also do not have as much innovation and have their own health care "crisis" with long waits for medical procedures.

I am just playing devil's advocate, here. Don't assume some one is an asshole just because he/she has an R after their name. Just as there are many types of Liberals and Democrats, there are many types of Conservatives and Republicans.

plus, I seem to meet a lot of people who call themselves republican but are really moderate.

I would date/marry someone that was a moderate in either case. I am an independent, so I would really have a hard time with someone that was extremely liberal or extremely right wing.

There are those few core issues that are truly important to me. Someone who's pro-life or into this "culture of life" crap, I probably won't get along with anyways, whether they're republican or democrat.

And it's my second Republican husband. You learn to agree to disagree on certain issues, and entertain others with your differences, as my spouse and I often do with our friends. Most of his close friends are very conservative whereas most of my friends are liberal to moderate (like me). I like his friends because they believe what they believe and are very articulate in their POVs, nor are they nasty about it like some female talking heads most of us here dislike.

One issue we definitely agree on is the right to a quality life. He thought Tom DeLay and Bill Frist were wrong to get in the middle of the Schlinders' fight with their son-in-law, and he was just as disgusted with the Schlinders as I was.

We also both believe in recycling, taking care of the planet, and it was his idea to buy our 2004 Prius, which I really love. He bikes at least 50 miles a week when the weather is kind because he enjoys being outdoors.

We also have a "support our troops" yard sign in our front yard because we want our men and women home as soon as possible from Iraq.

We married each other, not the political parties, just like Maria and Ah-nold.

and my SIL in pretty liberal. They still get along great. A few serious discussions, but mostly teasing each other because they were voting for Bush and vice versa.

(see my other post in this thread)

It would be worse to fall in love with someone who wasn't politically aware or involved.

being Republican was proof that you aren't politically aware.

I work with a GOP State Senator, in the private sector of course, and he is a really good guy except for that GOP thing....

His kid's are all Dem's so it really makes for an interesting time when we all get together after work......

politics plays in my life. I don't think I could, just like I would have SERIOUS problems being w/ someone who was devoutly religious. I feel the need around people like that to wake them the hell up. If I've given up on you, it means I think you're too stupid to get the message.

wasn't "self-actualized" as a Republican... but by the time it got to the marrying phase of a relationship, I think our whole priorities would be so different if she were a Republican that it wouldn't work.

who stated that he was always a Republican until the last four years. This time around he voted for Kerry, not because he agreed w/ him but because he disagreed w/ BushCo so much. He says that he has always been a classic Republican (he believes in smaller government) but that those in power have completely and totally corrupted the image of what the party was supposed to be (he stated that a true Republican would not be against abortion or gay rights because they believe in less government intervention). He is currently out "shopping around" for a new party to support (BTW-he used to be a monetary supporter of the party too).
If the age difference between us weren't so big, I would consider someone like him.

I don't particularly like the Libertarian platform, they are too laissez faire for my tastes.

Their motto is "pro-choice on everything."

Another thread sometime about the merits and problems with this party, but if your friend really believes in smaller government, that is where he should look.

Or, he could try to reclaim the Republican party so we could have a debate about real issues in this country, not B.S. like whether or not two men are having sex or what Howard Stern said.

He is a liberal like me. He hates Bush almost as much as I do. Big environmentalist. Democrat, wholeheartedly supported Kerry.

Whose former Repub friend "shopping" for a new party

love with someone who happened to be a Republican, of course I would marry her. Silly question, IMO.

:puke:
:puke:
:puke:
:puke:
:puke:

Life is tough enough. Listening to some idiot defend the Chimp would drive me round the bend.

progressivism are crucial aspects of what turns me on about her.

That leaves out any Republican women I know.

After this last election I find it hard to even be friendly if I know someone voted for that asshole.

I went to a new doctor on November 4th and the first thing I asked him was who he voted for. I was fully prepared to walk out and find someone else, but after laughing at me and then seeing I was serious (and maybe a little unstable that day) I found out he was a true blue dem.

I have family members who are repuke. I give a few of them a pass, but the extended ones are dead to me. Not that it's a big loss - I've been a "heathen" in their eyes for quite some time now. :shrug:

we were legally separated, a friend told me he had started wearing Dockers and listening to Rush Limbaugh; both being grounds for divorce, imho! LOL

Mine just drove a bird with a broken wing 30 miles to a rehab place. He's great like that! Too bad he hates Democrats, but working on that part :)

Love doesn't normally make sense. I would never marry one. I am sure it would not work out.

but then I'm not looking to get married anytime soon if ever. Perhaps a moderate but not one of the flying monkey ilk

:shrug:

Don't really know if I would do it again..

If you mean "Bush fan," then no. Absolutely not.

If you mean "conservative," then maybe.

But he wasn't political and didn't vote. We never talked politics. It's the only way that I could have stayed with him as long as I did. I'm happy to report though that the man who is the greatest love of my life and the guy I did marry is a Dem.

What would that say about me if I spent my evenings on DU because I prefer the company of smart and caring Democrats...and then end up marrying a pug? That would require some psychiatric care for me.
Fortunately I am married to one of the good guys.

I've already stated my spouse is a Republican, and I was disppointed to read you lop Republicans as automatic bad folks? Sorry to see you have only negative experiences with them, if I'm reading your note properly, or if I am misreading it as well.

I found it difficult to understand his choice of heroes. We didn't divorce for political reasons, in fact we were both young and pretty apolitical, but he was heading in that direction. I don't lop them as bad folks. I just don't find anything in common with the hardliners, and it would make me nuts to be in a constant struggle with that. So I don't think I would seek out such a relationship. Congratulations to you and your husband for being able to discuss and understand each other's ideologies. You're a better woman than I am.

repub.

having married an Elephant.

Oh well. Love my spouse. We disagree at times, but overall spouse is a good person. I prefer laughter, love, and mutual respect over politics, but I'm pretty much into politics, which is known. Was not a fanatic until W became prez and discovered John Edwards was running in 2004. Even my guy knew JRE was one of the best debaters in the Dem primaries, but he likes to stand when he does so.

My guy reads about Lance Armstrong and wants to be in better shape like him. I laud spouse's goals, and encourage him to do what he wants to be a better cyclist. He is kind with animals, does what he can to protect the planet, and loves the Trinity (not my cup of tea); I respect his religious beliefs. I guess my UU background has taught me a lot. We have to be tolerant of beliefs here and there in the name of love.

because at the time a lot of nice normal people were Republicans for various reasons (usually financial). But now? NO WAY. Anyone who is still a Republican after 4+ years of GOP tyranny under BushCo is just too far gone for me. I have a hard time dealing with the fact that my sweet but very confused brother is one. I can't imagine living with one. YUCK!