Hi... I'm new... and I have an interesting story...

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

First off, I can't vote. No, I'm not a felon... I'm not a U.S. citizen yet. However, I have lived in the U.S. since 1987 (my father an employee of an Italian subsidiary in NC). I lived, worked and went to school in the Raleigh/Durham area of NC until May 2002, when I moved to New York City (where I currently live, although technically I now rent in Jersey City).

I was born in a very progressive and liberal minded city in northern Italy (Bologna, for those who want to know). I never really thought much about politics as a pre-teen. I participated in a few student strikes for better classrooms and teachers, but that was the extent of my involvment. When I moved to NC, I realized that my so-called moderate views were indeed super liberal in the U.S.

At the same time, I realized how mean and nasty conservative republicans could get, especially those "God and country" people. As I got older (and wiser), I became a dedicated liberal. I found nothing appealing about the Republican party of the 1980's and 90's, especially its core base of fundamentalists.

I have been working in business immigration for the past 5 years and, although I would be considered a "conservative" in areas like immigration and bilingual education, my views on all other subjects are very much in line with the Democratic party.

I married a Republican (it's his only flaw!) and my in-laws are rabid fundy republicans. I am a closeted agnostic, so you can imagine my seething anger at Thanksgiving when they say grace and ask that God bless the president... grrrr!!!!

My father is a naturalized citizen (and still retains his Italian citizenship). He will vote Kerry/Edwards (he voted for Gore in 2000).

My husband, who usually votes GOP, is undecided. His primary reason for his uncertainty is Iraq.

I find the mass media in the U.S. to be extremely superficial and biased. I can't believe so many people buy into the "liberal media" myth. I also find that the majority of the public is grossly un- and mis-informed. Very few read newspapers and many prefer being force-fed opinions by certified morons like O'Reilly and Hannity.

In short, this is my life. I am enjoying the posts on DU and I look forward to posting/responding for a long long time!

[slinkerwink]

1. welcome to DU!

[russian33]

18. I see no one welcomed you yet, so welcome to DU!!!

:)

[wryter2000]

2. Welcome!

Get to work on your hubby. :)

[Blue Gardener]

3. Welcome to DU!

This is a good place to get away from those fundy in-laws.

[ThomCat]

4. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[livetohike]

5. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[el_gato]

6. Welcome aboard!

[politicat]

7. Welcome!

Good luck with the family, Nyc. It's hard having differences like that.

Good luck on citizenship, too, if that's what you are aiming at.

Wow... student strikes.

What a concept.

Politicat

[Lavender Brown]

8. Welcome!

My parents are Italian (immigrated here before I was born) and have somewhat conservative political views... they usually vote for Democrats though.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[BlueJazz]

9. Boy..It's nice hearing the truth from someone who hasn't ....

...been Brainwashed by Fox News.
Welcome to DU and we all look forward to hearing from you and probably
"picking your brain" on international matters.

[bigwillq]

10. Welcome to DU!

Great post. Looking forward to seeing more posts from you in the future!

[JuniperLea]

11. welcome!

i'm glad you are here!! we need more international perspective.

hope you are a citizen and registered to vote soon!

[amber dog democrat]

12. Welcome to DU !

Its great hearing from you. You are in a very interesting situation.
For what its worth this has to be the most ethically challengled and mean spirited election in memory, However I believe the last one was stolen as well.

But I look forward to seeing your thoughts.
:hi:

[fdr_hst_fan]

13. Nice story-

welcome to DU! And if you husband's family doesn't like your politics, that's just TOO BAD! Remind them of something they've either forgotten or never really knew: the United States Constitution. I've come across more than one so-called American who isn't aware of it's provisions!

[jedicord]

14. Welcome to DU!

I'm with you on the praying for Bush. I'm a Deist, so I "pray" (I actually talk) to God. My only prayer about Bush would be to get his nasty butt out of the WH!

In my opinion, Bush and his followers are ruining prayer for me. It seems so superficial and self-serving now.

They're also ruining the national anthem. I only cry now because our country in battle is no longer the country for which the song was originally written. "Bombs bursting in air" are ours, and we're not saving our flag from attackers.

They're also ruining the country as a whole.

Rant Rant Rant Rant Rant

[BootinUp]

15. Great story, welcome aboard!

:hi:

[Lefta Dissenter]

16. WELCOME to DU!

despite your low credit score and your republican in-laws, you'll be a great addition to DU!

My husband, though a Democrat, comes from a family of Freepers, and I am an uncloseted agnostic, rabid liberal, so we've had a few battles at the family gatherings.

Hey, my son is probably taking a trip to Italy this winter, so we'll be needing your recommendations!

Again, welcome!!! :hi:

[MrScorpio]

17. Welcome to DU!

You can consider yourself at home/

[Old and In the Way]

19. Great story sig line!

Welcome onboard NYCparalegal!

[grace0418]

20. Welcome, the people are really great

Now we just have to work on that husband of yours. I converted mine from the dark side!

[Zero Division]

21. Welcome. We need more like you here in the U.S.

You're right, the mass media isn't just biased, it's also horribly superficial. I try to stay away from it as much as possible. :hi:

[readmylips]

22. NYC: We're in the same boat...my hub a republican too...

We don't speak politics at home or even watch the same news together. I don't even watch much of TV news since they're mostly garbage and an insult to democracy.

My hubs family are not allowed in my house or they will end up killed by me. I will not accept their pagan worship for bush and I do not put up with their chrisitian bullshit. I'm the only democrat and only Catholic in this family.

Welcome to DU. Without DU I would be crazy.

[sonias]

23. Welcome NYCparalegal!

You are home here. Keep your sanity and stay informed on just about just about everything. Good luck in that family. You are far braver than most of us. I would totally have to avoid talking politics (which would kill me) if I had your family situation. You can at least talk politics with your Dad, though.

Good luck to you!

Sonia

[GoddessOfGuinness]

24. Good to have you here!

With regard to your husband, is there any chance your father could influence him? I'm thinking that many "undecided" votes could be convinced to vote for Kerry, if people who remember (or remember stories of) Hitler's rise to power could point out the similarities between events/attitudes of pre-war Europe and those of recent years.

[Obamarama]

25. Ciao e benvenuto al DU!

Come cittadino italiana, essete condotti da Berlusconi. Siamo condotti da Bush. Quale è più difettoso? Entrambe le situazioni sono tragiche, sì?

Osserviamo in avanti alle vostre comprensioni. Di nuovo, benvenuto!

[sbj405]

26. Welcome to DU!

Hopefully, we can be a resource to help you educate your husband.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

27. Welcome to DU

:hi: from Chapel Hill, NC