Let me sum up the coming election and what the day-after map will show

[Swede Atlanta]

23. This is an over simplification of the situation....

I know there are racists among us. They exist in every town, city, county and state. They may be more visible in places that were historically racially segregated but not exclusively.

I was in Colorado this week with my conservative elderly Aunt and Uncle. We decided, in advance, not to discuss politics because it had previously caused issues between us. While we tried to avoid this topic it crept in from time to time.

What came of my observations, however, was a total lack of awareness on their part.

(1) Comment made that you don't see any news footage of Obama attending church as we have seen with all the "other" Presidents.
My response was is your assertion that he is a "failing" Christian because they don't attend or that you believe he isn't a Christian? They said they really don't know but the fact they don't see them attending church on the evening news is a problem.

(2) Socialism - I am going back to Sweden where I was an exchange student and worked a couple of summers, next year. The Aunt said "well they are socialist aren't they?" I responded they have a parliamentarian form of government headed by a monarch. I responded they have had a center-right coalition government for several years (comparable to a center-left here). Her idea was since they have such broad-based social programs they were socialist and her enunciation indicated she thought "socialism' is bad. Of course Christ (or his historical persona) was a socialist

(3) Government control of everything
They spouted the typical right-wing hatred of the ACA including government takeover, death panels, etc. I explained to them this was the biggest "give" to PRIVATE insurers in the nation's history and that the true death panels are the private insurers who deny coverage time and again.

They expressed hatred of HIPPA and I responded that I did not want my doctor or any provider to make confidential information about my health available to ANYONE without my consent.

All of this was couched in "taking away my freedoms". And of course they threw in "no one is taking away my guns". I asked them if Christ ever owned a gun or a firearm or suggested the use thereof. They mumbled. I reminded them NO ONE is suggesting taking away your guns (must have a tiny penis and clitoris) including the PRESIDENT.

(4) Government Programs
They chastised the "giveaways" to those who didn't need it, etc. Interestingly enough their son is now on Medicaid at age 58 because of his alcoholism and drug abuse. Additionally my Uncle is on Medicaid. They have always hated taxes and hated "government handouts" and now they suckle at the government teat. I downplayed this when I was there but tried to point out that while there was abuse, most government programs are appropriately administered to people LIKE THEM.

This is an example of the skewed mindset of the right wing voter. They do not engage in critical thinking. They sit and watch FAUX News all day.

Oh another thing on the "doesn't attend church" comment. I offered the view that I would rather look to a politician's policies rather than their outward or visible signs of their "Christianity". I obliquely compared Obama's belief in supporting the disadvantaged through extensions of unemployment, food stamps, mortgage modifications, etc. and the ACA and his interest in regulating the excesses of the market with Dodd-Frank, etc. with RMoney's. I offered information of which she wasn't aware of his Bain history, of Ryan's plan which would decimate her now beloved Medicaid support, etc.

It is unfortunate they see things through a prism that is so skewed from reality.

Bottom line is, the Red State/Blue State line cannot be simplified to racism. There is much more to this than pure racial differences.