Tampa Bay Times, Letter to Editor: Why I went from being a red voter to a blue one

[teach1st]

Why I went from being a red voter to a blue one
Tampa Bay Times, Letters to the Editor, 11/17/2019 (in print 11/18)

Our 45th president is the reason I finally paid attention. By virtue of my roots, I registered red. I never stopped to consider it. I listened to the news stories but seldom internalized them. I was a Cuban immigrant, it was expected. Then life got busy. I cast my ballot with the suggestions of those who paid attention. Shameful. One day in disgust, I asked Dad for forgiveness and changed to blue. Maybe it was because of him, No. 45, I mean. Searching my soul, I discovered that I was blue inside; the official change was sudden, but the convictions had evolved imperceptibly over time. For all I know, it was maturity, experience, travel or tolerance in the face of intolerance, empathy in the face of malevolence, wisdom in the presence of a foolish leader. Perhaps I had heard about one too many mass shootings, denials of climate change, loving family members with alternative lifestyles and the plight of immigrants who were not as fortunate as I had been. Regardless the reason, I came to be blue, and I am home now.

Rebeca Z, Tampa

[UpInArms]

1. Welcome home, rebeca

Glad you found your way ...

[riversedge]

2. loved the post. thanks

[Xipe Totec]

3. The political divide is not between liberals and conservatives.

It's between empaths and sociopaths.

[3catwoman3]

7. Well said.

I am continually distressed by how many Americans are heartless and hateful.

[Trailrider1951]

10. Absolutely! And after living for nearly 68 years and dealing with people,

I am wondering whether or not there are 2 subspecies of humans on this planet, the two categories you just mentioned.

[Funtatlaguy]

4. May you be a trailblazing trendsetter. Welcome.

[Karadeniz]

5. Beautifully explained!

[mountain grammy]

6. We have cousins in San Angelo

always voted Republican.. Trump made them realize they were blue inside. They put a Hillary sign in their yard and campaigned for Beto in his run for the Senate. Some people in their church stopped speaking to them. It's a rude awakening to find out some Christians are full of hate.

[wnylib]

8. WWJH. Who would Jesus hate?

[pansypoo53219]

9. i discovered c-span around 17. tho i always tended to be more democrat. but i saw more logic on the

left vs truthiness on the right.