A Visit From My RW Relatives Last Night

[Steely_Dan]

About five years ago I remarried into a family that was definitely "right of center." I think one of the reasons my new wife was drawn to me was because I spoke a language that she was not used to hearing. A language of tolerance and inclusion. Prior to meeting me, she lived in an environment that was pretty typical of those on the right. I'm not saying that they were (are) wingnuts...far from it. However, my inclusion in this family has been interesting to say the least.

Anyway...
My step-daughter and her husband came by to pick up their two toddlers that we were babysitting. The conversation eventually got into politics. I think it was an extension of our touching on the fact that they homeschool their children. This got us on the whole public school system and then quickly into President Obama's presidency.

I must tell you that I surprised myself on how passionately critical I was of the Obama Administration. I was a strong supporter of Mr. Obama and during the campaign contributed both time and money to help him obtain the presidency. I maintained my lonely position as the only "liberal" in the family. However, it was hard for my "right" family members to deny a lot of what I was saying.

The conversation started to get a little heated as I began to express how disappointed I was that our president had (in my opinion) folded on so may issues that were important to me and to a majority of our country. I expressed that my cynicism was complete. That I would no longer trust ANY politician...they are (as most already knew) lying SOB's that have little in common with those of us struggling for justice and a sense of fair play.

It scared the hell out of me that I sounded as angry as I did. I mean, I just became unhinged at the thought that I finally tied my star to someone that I truly believed would at the very least stand on Democratic principles and not, no matter how tough the fight, betray (our) convictions.

I hated...I mean I simply hated to be placed in this position with people that I had long tried to convince of the importance of getting a Democrat into office. It was like my whole relationship with these people was undermined. This angered me more.

As I realized that I was sounding more and more like them, I desperately tried to gather whatever remaining dignity I had and stated something to the following:

I have very little in common with my RW friends. However, I KNOW where THEY are coming from. Nothing they do surprises me because I know who they are. What hurts worse is when my own party abandons the basic tenets that have made the Dems the Party of the People.

I regained my balance and made it clear that I would NEVER vote for a republican.

I'm sorry that this sounds so depressing. I'm an "old" Democrat. I pride myself on upholding what I truly believe in my soul is the "right thing to do." If that now makes me some sort of radical...then I proudly wear that badge. I refuse to be put out to pasture by those who have never known an FDR or a JFK...Their world starts with Reagan and ends in Bush...with a moderate Dem sandwiched between them. How can they even begin to understand?

I remain a man without a party...

-PLA