I really can't empathize with the sad stories on this thread because I am blessed to live in Texas and literally know no one who will be casting a vote for Kerry tomorrow. But if I were in some of the situations described in these posts, I would find a new place to live, far away from the malicious bullies that I had no choice in selecting as my family. When I relocated, I would find another like-minded family that I agree with (perhaps at my church) and I would make that my family. Life is too short to be stuck with lousy people just because they share a bloodline with you. Think of it as a divorce because of irreconcilable differences that will make your life much happier and less stressful. And lest you think this sounds unloving, may I ask why you want to be kicked around by people who obviously do not love or respect you and get off on harrassing you at family gatherings? They enjoy attacking you and making you miserable, and that's not a sign of love.
I'll tell you what: I love living behind enemy lines, and I love that my wife's family's political beliefs are so diametrically opposed to mine, because it keeps my political mind sharp, focused, and always on guard, making my political beliefs among the most well-defined and respected of the people I consider friends, colleagues, fellows, and kin. I wouldn't have it any other way. And you know what, I've "converted" not a small handful of typical Massachusetts/New England liberals to my conservative-Lockian-"Spirit of '75"-libertarian way of thinking. At the very least, I get people to question the political assumptions that people up here take for granted. I wouldn't want to be just another ditto-head in a red state; I enjoy being a missionary.