Saturday, November 7, 2009

Politics and My Family














Did you hear about crazy Michele Bachmann calling for an "anti-everything Obama" rally in Washington D.C. last week? There were hundreds of "tea-partiers" there with signs calling our President all kinds of names like Socialist, Nazi, and non-American. The other day I spoke to my mother on the phone and found out my stepfather, his son and grandson were all planning to attend.

Okay, how do I deal with this? I love my mom and stepdad. They are kind, well-meaning people. But I am appalled by their politics. They watch Fox News. They listen to Rush Limbaugh. They admire Sarah Palin. Thanksgiving is coming up. We will all be gathered at my sister's house. My brother-in-law is a dyed-in-the-wool Republican, too. He teases me about voting for Obama, calling him "my boy". It offends me. I don't say much, though, because I am outnumbered in my family. I would rather just not talk about politics when I am with them. But what if they bring it up?

When I lived in Philadelphia, all my friends were Obama supporters. I was used to being around like-minded people. Now I live close to my family, and I am in the minority. Of course, I love my family; but I can't abide their politics. It is very uncomfortable. I miss being with people with whom I can relax. If you can't relax around your own family (but you still love them) what can you do? I would like to move back to Philadelphia, but my husband thinks I am overreacting. What would you do?

4 comments:

Lille Diane said...

Come have turkey with me, my best friend, our families and our love for being who we are...OBAMA Mama's!!!! I am totally adopting you! BTW my Mom lives in Willisburg KY. I know how hard it will be for you feasting with people who do not share your same zest, beliefs, and love for being liberal. Hang in there. The holidays are just a few days out of the year. Hugzzz to you! oh and the word selected for the verification to post my comment was "coodi"... I think the Universe is telling you Republicans have coodies! LOL

judy in ky said...

Hi! It's so good to hear from a kindred spirit! I miss my OBAMA Mamas back in the city where I used to live. I am an OBAMA Mama all by myself here. Sometimes I see a car with an Obama sticker on it, and I want to stop them and meet the people.
I love the "coodi" thing... perfect!
I saw your Woodstock Lily photo... I have some Woodstock posters I want to frame and put on my wall.
I will have to look up Wilisburg, KY. Haven't heard of it before.

Susan said...

Judy, I have the same problem with my brother and his whole family (pretty large considering he has six kids and umpteen grandkids who are adults, too). They drank the Kool-Aid a lonnnngg time ago.

In fact, when Pres. Clinton was in office, he flew his gigantic flag at half-mast for 8 frickin' years. He used to spam me with emails touting his views, until I started answering every single one of them with reasoned points of argument and websites supporting them. Now he just emails me with honey & cinnamon cures for everthing that ails you.

You can come and have Thanksgiving with my immediate family. We're all Obama supporters and dyed-in-the-wool DEMOCRATS!!!

I live in Repug country here, too. :(

judy in ky said...

Hi Susan, I would love to join you! it's hard going it alone in a "red" state!