Many hard-core Republican friends of mine are not going to vote for Donald Trump. I understand how they feel. I am usually a Democrat. I have called myself an independent; but, I have lately voted Democrat. But if the Republican is a better lawmaker, well I am voting for them.
I'm a hypocrite of sorts. Where I live a white Democrat is a minority. I keep my politics quiet in that my lawmakers are Republican and they are who I have to work with if I have a problem. Fortunately, I have not got a problem on that scale. Add to that, most of my white friends vote Republican.
For the record, I agree with anyone in my mother's age group without hesitation. I would do this with a stranger. I do all the required nodding and grinning. So in that department I am not a hypocrite but an outright liar. I believe in respecting everyone and getting along with as many people as possible. The day I moved to Atlanta in 1982, a man shot the man in front of him in a car because that man gave him the finger.
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| Daisy on the left, Joey on the right. |
I told Portia the other day about my mom's chihuahua mix Daisy. She has a big body and skinny legs. Just like the me and her. The other lady in the group looked shocked. Portia laughed. We have been doing our DNA in our family. I told Portia that I might not be part Indian. Portia told me, "Oh Ann with your big nose, you know you got to be part Indian." Portia and I have been friends since we were nine.
The interesting thing about our friendship is life took us in different directions. I have not spent time with her or seen her in 40 years. In returning home, I've resumed childhood friendships. You had your church family and they still consider you family. Although I was quite pious and earnest as a teenage girl would be in her religion; my ideas about my religion has changed. It's funny that all of these people were not surprised.
Now most of my black friends are Democrats. However, more than you would think are Republicans. So unless they are (once again I am changing names), Lydia and Alicia, I am not broaching the topic.
In Georgia, districts are drawn to make sure African Americans are represented. So districts are drawn up so that pretty much only black democrats and white republicans hold national office.
Which brings me back to zealots. I know it doesn't but you have read this far.
I think considering someone else with a different opinion a zealot is you have to be a zealot yourself. I could give examples; but, I have vowed to not talk real politics and this post is the closest I will come ever again. I hope. Truthfully, I have been a bad political talker. It's going to be hard; but, I am reforming. I was just selective who I talked politics to.
But I am a zealot about people parking in handicapped spaces who are not handicapped. Some people park there and don't have the ID on the car. Others have the ID; but they are obviously not the person it was written for. Some may even need the handicap space and I just can't see the disability. Since I have disabled people in my care, I see red when someone drives up and parks beside the curb and blocks the handicapped ramp. I no longer try to find a close parking space. I park in the back of the lot deliberately. Plus, it protects my car from car door and shopping cart dings.
I think we should all have something to be a zealot about. Particularly since I have one.
But come Wednesday, it doesn't matter who is elected. What will be will be the reality and we will all deal with it like we have always done. It won't be the first President anyone has disliked and hopefully we will all live long enough to dislike a few more.
Waiting for the polls to open, I like being one of the first. I am very passive about politics and would rather have the discussion trend away, as you have said not to hurt feelings.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good trait of a mid-westerner that the rest of us could adopt. I dread all the loud talk after the election although I think it will be a whimper. I feel like being the devil's advocate and remind people that they are true yankees to keep up the talk. It would rankle a few feathers down South. But it is true, true, true.
DeleteVery true, no president or person everyone is going to like everywhere. I think these two take the cake with the most dislike though. Shot for giving the middle finger? Damn, glad we don't have willy nilly gun laws here.
ReplyDeleteAll these middle aged and elderly men who think they can swashbuckle a murderer in their house. The probability of it happening, the probability of the criminal using their own gun against them, the probability of them being able to alert themselves in time, so much not considered. We have thinking left over from the American revolution which was almost 250 years ago. Times have changed but that thinking has not unfortunately.
DeleteI park in the back of a parking lot for the same reason. No one is dinging my sports car!
ReplyDeleteI become a zealot when I see people driving while on their cell phone. I refrain from becoming a maniac by knocking them off the road though.
I am paranoid about dings. What drives me nuts is that I park around no one and I come back out to be surrounded. lol, the phone use and driving is nuts too.
DeleteI have learned to not discuss politics or religion. Some people ask, just to argue. I have lost friends who disageed with my beliefs. But, I know they were not truly friends. In the end, it all comes out in the wash. Granny was right.
ReplyDeleteNone of us have a crystal ball, eh? I'm not big into being rigid and avoid those that are. They usually can't accept some minutia and life goes on.
DeleteI agree with you totally with this post. I do not talk politics or religion....in my case....lack of, especially here in the midwest. When folks say they will pray for me...I thank them.
ReplyDeleteWe are big on praying for each other too. My mother chastised me about saying it and not doing it. So I try to keep a tally now. Oh well.
DeleteWe're going to see some friends tomorrow and they have already asked us not to bring up the election as it is too painful.
ReplyDeleteSounds logical. Politics is so tiresome. You're just sitting around agreeing with one another.
DeleteI'm generally a pretty quiet zealot - but I'm with you on the parking spaces! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote of confidence. I have resisted the urge to take photos and send them to the DMV. That would be over the edge, lol. Thanks for visiting.
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