Thanks for putting in to words what I was thinking as I scanned over this.
The_Liberal Person, I've been married to a "New Deal Democrat" ( who Kerry scared so badly, she voted for Bush ) for 20 years, and we get along fine. Our nearest neighbors are a gay couple, and we call them "good neighbors" because they keep to themselves, mind their own business- but they'll help you if you are in a jam.
We used to have another neighbor who sat on his porch after work and smoked dope- he didn't bother me, so I didn't bother him.
We on the right are a lot less scary than some would have you believe- they need a boogey-man to rally their troops. Ya' need to get out more among real people.
A whole lot of that going around. It's scary when you realize just how deep the conservative stereotype these people carry around goes. Btw, I'm married to a Democrat who also voted for Bush this last election. There was a lot of that going around.