Just curious what is it like

[Whiskeytide]

21. Most of the conservatives I know are traditional...

...republicans who oppose taxes, big government and government waste. Many friends and much of my extended family fall into this category. We often discuss politics, and it is always friendly and polite. Extreme views are rare, and the fascist, racist and misogynistic views we often attribute to republicans broadly are not really a part of my experience with them.

All of them - or at least most of them - know my political views, so perhaps they keep it in check when I'm around. But they are respectful of me and I them. They want most of the same things I do, and their vision of America is not so different as mine - they just have a different idea of how we get there.

I know only a few teabagger whack jobs personally - and they ARE batshit crazy in many ways. But I don't really "hang out" with them.

I will admit that the teabaggers dominate local politics and the local radio airwaves. Dems seldom even run for state and local offices in this part of the State - so the fights are during the republican primaries. For the past 6 to 7 years they have been basically "who hates Obama more" contests. So .... someone is voting for these idiots - but I'd be hard pressed to identify anyone I actually know and spend time with as one of their constituents.

Just my experience.