A Plastic Bag: Democrat vs. Republican -- see postscript at bottom
Last edited Tue May 19, 2020, 06:18 PM - Edit history (2)
So I never write personal comments in a new thread, but I am steamed, and it all started with a plastic bag. We live in NJ where we are still sheltering in place. We are seniors in our seventies and my husband has diabetes and heart disease. I dare not venture out, and if I walk around the block I always wear a mask. I cook all our meals and don't order take out. Instead the local supermarket makes regular deliveries. Even then, I dress up in a rain slicker, put on gloves and a mask, sit on my porch, take my groceries out of the plastic bags they come in, use wipes on the groceries and transfer them to a "clean" bag from inside my home. I park the market's plastic bags in a paper bag in the corner of my large open porch, not bring them into the house and put them out on the curb recycling day to be picked up.
Sorry for the long explanation, but that's the set up for my story. My MAGA neighbor who lives directly across the street has been my neighbor since 1988, has never spoken a word to me - ever. Over the years I have given up waving or smiling or saying hello to him because he always seems angry and never reciprocates. I have been silent when his large dog barks incessantly or he decides to run the lawn mower or leaf blower 7am on a Sunday morning. Today. one of my plastic bags escaped from my paper bag and blew onto his front lawn. When I stepped out to check my mail, he stabbed his finger in the air and yelled at me, "You need to throw out those bags -- one landed on my property!" I lost it. I told him after 30 years, this is the first thing you have chosen to say to me?
When I went inside, I was so upset and then I thought this is a classic example of the difference between democrats and republicans. It's harder to be a democrat than a republican. All you have to do if you are a republican is have a chip on your shoulder and be angry and arrogant all the time. A plastic bag is a reason to be surly and disagreeable. It's harder to be a democrat, because democrats are all about we, not me. It's harder to care about recycling or a loved one's or neighbor's exposure to disease. It's easier to just care about yourself, walk around the neighborhood, without a mask, letting your dog crap on your neighbor's lawn and not clean it up and lash out at a neighbor you never even tipped your MAGA hat to in the past because of a plastic bag,
Sorry to vent. When I was a kid and my dad was driving me to the Jersey shore, we'd sit in traffic and watch cars whiz by us on the shoulder. He'd say, "Republicans." Rules aren't meant for them. They feel agrieved and entitled all at the same time. That's all. I feel better now. Please don't flame me for expressing my frustration. I guess 10 weeks of sheltering in place has finally gotten to me.
Thanks so much for all your replies and kind words. Today, I found a plastic bag stuffed in my mailbox with my mail. MAGA petty and childish behavior on display. If I let this upset me, he wins. Instead, I'm taking Nancy Pelosi's approach to Trump. I am going to pray for him.
Thanks again
= new reply since forum marked as read
need each other more than ever now days. Glad I could be of some help 
-Laelth
Your explanation of the difference between us and them is spot-on! 
Like a good neighbor, DU is there. 
I thank the delivery people from the other side of the storm door and wait for them to leave. Nothing comes in my house in original bags, and all of it is wiped down, washed, or put in time out for a little while before I trust it on my shelves. It's wearing and tedious even though it's worth it for the peace of mind. With all the stress everyone is going through, it's no wonder you lost it with your unfriendly neighbor! Good for you for coming over to DU to vent and de-stress. You deserve to relax and bend a friendly ear.
I'm glad you're here. 
