That Republican smell

On my way to take my son to baseball practice this AM I got stuck behind an SUV plastered with Bush/Cheney04 bumperstickers...the SUV turned into the field parking lot in front of us. After we parked, the door of the SUV opened.

OMG...

It was a mom of one of my son's classmates with whom I've spoken many times. One of the parents who I *really* liked, who I really enjoyed talking to, and could relate to. Instantly, she was different in my eyes.

Has anyone else had this experience? Part of me wants to chalk it up to my own shortcomings--why should I have to agree with someone politically to be friendly?

The other part says "How the hell *could* she?", and wants to engage her on it. But what's the point... :(

I know a couple like that - he's a republican and she's a democrat. I'm not sure how their marriage survived that last few years, though!

BTW, love your sig picture! :)

but I think they're separated.

thanks re: the picture. I've gotten quite a few comments like yours...I think people just can't resist a lime-green swastika :)

The poor fuckers

I'm a democrat, hes republican. We generally dont talk about politics, and if we do I stir the pot.. "hey honey hows the gas prices today?" or "well.. i'm cancelling and cutting up every single credit card because of your shrubs bankruptcy bill". He generally ignores my comments or says "im never voting again".

I "married" a dyed-in-the-wool Republican. A successful stockbroker, at that. I thought to myself, "Oh, well, he'll change". Boy did he ever! Mainly because I'm constantly printing outrages of every description perpetrated by the scumbags in the current administration and keep him informed. He's not brainwashed by any means; he keeps up with current events via print and television. He simply hates computers. However, every Monday he wants to know where the latest edition of 'Conservative Idiots' is if I don't already have it printed for him. He loathes and despises Bush with a passion for destroying his party, but is well aware that Bush is the biggest puppet with the biggest fist up his ass in history.

Me - I'm a fucking tree-hugger extroidinaire who infiltrated the ranks 13 years ago.

She may feel the same way. You became friends for reasons other than politics - if you feel you need to make a point, then do so by living well and setting an example.

My best friend is right-wing and consistently votes Conservative (we're in the UK). He knows I'm hard-left, I know he's hard-right. We josh and spar at times, but in a spirit of fun, not angry scorn. It's part of the colour of the relationship. He will be my best man in March, and no one could change my mind. It's people that matter, not politics.

Politics is too personal with me--the so-called "conservative" point of view isn't just another attitude, it's reprehensible.

Not because we're left-wing, but because we're engaged with politics and care about it. It's the most difficult thing for people like us to accept that most people really don't care; they vote without really thinking, as their parents or husbands or employers have indicated. They don't make the connection between what happens in the government and what happens at home. This happens on both sides.

What I mean is, your friend might be surprised by your passion, having never really considered the issue. Look at the turnout figures; those people who don't vote aren't bad people. And she might not vote herself. Often political affiliation comes down to really strange, prosaic reasons like preferring a tone or a colour or an individual, not a passionate belief that a position is right or wrong.

the people with BC04 stickers on their cars *would* care...but maybe you're right. Could be just a fashion accessory to some people.

This applies to both sides, but especially the right for some reason. Less educated, probably.

about someone who backs Bush. It truly makes you look deeper into
that persons...personality. I obviously want to know why and when
someone tells me I instantly get the feeling that the person is disadvantaged intelligence wise.
Then you scratch your head and wonder why...and realize its about
particianship once again.

But not with this administration. Bush & Co are so dangerous, destructive, despicable, etc. that I find it impossible to associate with anyone who supports these murderers and still look myself in the mirror.

My suggestion for you with this woman,
As for engaging her on it, it may be worth a try, but don't hold your breath. If she seems to have her mind firmly made up then drop it and save your energy for progressive causes.

You could end off by saying to her "Gee, I thought you were a lot smarter than that". What's she gonna say back to you? "Uh, no I'm not". Ha, ha. Stumps them every time.

Bush stickers AND "pro-life" stickers on her car.

I like her. I like her mother, I like her kids - I like them all. But I most certainly DO NOT agree with her politically.

I feel much less tense about that sort of thing, though, since I actually did find a couple of real-life liberal/Democrat friends right here in town.

They can be the most pleasant people in the world, but they just don't get it. Almost like there's a Republican gene or something.

How could a decent person support someone like Bush? The best you could hope for is that she's brainwashed or too stupid to see what's going on.

If politics comes up, I simply state that my feelings about the current administration, suggest it might not be a good idea to go there, and do it all with a big smile. Never any problem. But, yes, I do know the feeling and it's not pleasant. My first reaction is that they sure can fake "smart" pretty well for being total idiots.

BTW, I've been in many jobs where I've had to work with...well, upper class snobs, usually republicans. I've developed a perfectly charming demeanor that allows me to call them total shit heads to their faces while making them think I like them and have simply crossed a line towards chumminess with them. Seriously, you can say anything with the correct delivery and smile.

I say, "4 or 5 years" in my subject line because I've never known such a total division of American voters. "Uniter", my ass.