Last year I was being actively pursued to switch parties and run (unopposed) for an open state legislative position here in Nevada. I never really considered it, as I am a very active in the local Republican party, but many of my democrat friends were attending this meeting and I am loath to turn down free food!
So I went.
When I attended this luncheon for Congresswoman Berkley (D), (Who I know personally) I was applaud at how partisan her speech was compared to how moderate she is in real life. Very unpleasant to hear this crap coming out of her mouth when I know what she has said in private is not the same.
I was not happy about listening to her 40 minutes rant on the evils of President Bush.
Just a week early I sat in a republican meeting where Sen. Ensign ( R ) spoke and he did not really bash the Dems, he talked mostly about winning the election and how far we have come in the republican party in Nevada and Clark County (The only strong hold of the Dems in the whole state. We almost carried it this time. The Dems will loose the county soon and they know it!!)
Well at the end of the luncheon with Congresswoman Berkeley I politely declined the invitation to run as a Dem.
The group of women new from formal introduction that I was retired (22+ years) military veteran.
As we discussed my service under 5 presidents and my personal impressions of each of the administrations policies and difference from the militarys point of view, I felt they at least were open and fair.
At some point, the group of women and I became embroiled in a discussion about Iraq.
At some point in the conversation my friend crossed the line when she blurted out:
This countrys not worth dieing for!
I was incensed!!
I explained to her and her clutch of hens, that I a dozen friends and family have been killed or wounded for this county and that nearly every male member of my family as served in the military since the revolutionary war!
I told her point blank: You have the freedom to say that crap because of families like mine!
I also said a little to loudly, that I would gladly give my life to defend this country and it was shame you dont understand what that means!
I walked out and it was a year before I would even look that woman in the eye!
I learned that there really is a fundamental difference between most Republicans and most Democrats.
While the Dems are willing to bad mouth our country, republicans are willing to do something about it!
Welcome to FR. Great first post.
I wish more people knew this. I used to be a committed Dem, and now I am a committed GOP. I've been to meetings on both sides. The Dems complain about how shrill politics has become, and then they start attacking the GOP (and even each other).
The GOP start their meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance, an Invocation, and then have people talk about what positive message they can spread. Everyone gets a polite hearing.
I can't imagine that Dems everywhere are as shrill as the ones here, but the party leaders make it look possible. There's no way that I would ever go back to such belligerent ways of dealing with politics as long as there's a choice.