Frustrated with Teabagger mother....

[Narkos]

Hey all,

My folks are teabaggers, and I've just learned to live with it. However, after returning from a 2 week vacation in Europe, this is what my mother had to say..."The places we went to were packed! Huge lines! I mean, what recession are they talking about?" And I basically retorted something, well, many of the people affected by the recession aren't able to take two weeks off and go to Europe (my parents are upper middle class). What do you say to baggers who use anecdotes like "the mall was a zoo today! What recession are they talking about". I think my mother did not mean it in a bad way, it just seems like she, like many well to do people, are completely out of touch with how many millions in this country are struggling.

[Skittles]

1. I'm confused

I figured teabaggers would claim we are in a depression just so they could blame it on the black man at the top :o

[Narkos]

2. I know....I'm confused! n/t

[PADemD]

3. Take her to the local food bank on food distribution day.

[jwirr]

12. Definitely - it is crowded there too. I am always amazed to see the

lines. Many more people than there used to be. And it is not just at the food banks. The use of commodity programs is up. The senior NAPS program has many more seniors using their services and food stamps are crazy. An interesting aside about food stamps: After the MN government closed down all the recipients for food stamps had to reapply and then we got a raise in the monthly issue. The income maintenance workers are having a hard time catching up and I know some families who have not received food stamps for 3 months due to this delay.

[Angry Dragon]

4. Perhaps you should suggest your mother take a two week

vacation and visit the homeless shelters and soup kitchens around this country
and the food banks, any free clinics she can find

for I doubt she ran across too many poor Americans in Europe

[Narkos]

5. I almost went there with her...next time I think I will. n/t

[Morning Dew]

6. That would be Failed Socialist Europe she's referring to?

I thought 'baggers hated that place.

[Narkos]

7. LOL! She also said, even though Greece is in trouble they looked well fed to me! n/t

[catabryna]

8. "Gee mom, I'm glad you had a good time."

Worked for a while anyway. Then again, they are the 1% and we don't speak anymore. Go figure.

eta: I'm sure my husband and my son's father would "love" that attitude. Not. That's why he married me! :)

[RKP5637]

9. Many people don't feel the desparation of another unless in the

same shoes. I sometimes think it's an ingrained human trait for protection of the self ...

Show her this ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6WKMNmFsxM&feature=related

[OhioBlue]

10. with certain family members and close friends...

I'm usually pretty gentle... If they offer and anecdote, I'll counter with an anecdote.. prefaced with something like.. well, that's interesting but .. insert anecdote.

I also like to use "I feel" or "From my perspective" type of statements. That way I can make sure others know I don't agree but at the same time I'm not being combative and I at least interject some realism into their world.

Now... family members that send me chain e-mails with derogatory or completely false info.. that's another matter - I counter it all with fact checked evidence as to why they are wrong.

[Rabblevox]

11. I struggle with the same question with my 'rents...

I wish I had a better answer, but the best I've been able to do is have a thick skin, and try to gently, subtly inject reality into the conversation.

I will probably never change their minds, and I don't want to alienate them, but I can't just bite my tongue.

I hear ya loud and clear though, especially when my dad bitches about gas prices for his V-10 pickup.