Anecdotal, but worth sharing.

[MinneapolisMatt]

My cousin who is a Republican (as is most of my extended family because of military connections/stereotypes - meaning they think repubs are the only ones who support military) is so mad at the conservatives right now she could spit.

She actually called me today and was lamenting how she had been fooled by them and how her husband (who works for Dept of Ag) are so disillusioned, their move to a new town may be jeopardized because he can't work right now She asked me to help explain Obamacare and was crying about how their life "was thrown into turmoil" because they (Repubs) tricked them.

You guys, this is so major. For her to reach out to me, unaided, is absolutely SHOCKING. I was completely unprepared, so I gathered myself and walked her through what's really going on.

She was so receptive, yet sad. All I could do was tell her we'll all get through this. But holy smokes. This has been so damaging for the republicans. I'm still a bit in shock.

[snagglepuss]

1. This story speak volumes.

[maxsolomon]

2. will she remember a year from now?

and not get disctracted by the propaganda on fetuses/guns/war on christianity/outrage du jour?

that's why i believe they're pulling this crap now, because they believe voters will forget. and it's not a bad bet.

[MinneapolisMatt]

3. Actually my cousin will.

She's angry.

[progressoid]

4. I've heard similar laments from Republican family and acquaintances.

Last edited Fri Oct 4, 2013, 06:45 PM - Edit history (1)

But have yet to hear any of them endorse a Democrat.

Of course, the people I know would not admit they have been wrong all this time. They would rather hold their nose and vote against their own best interests than vote for a LIBERAL!

[rivegauche]

8. yeah. Unfortunately that's the type of repub

I know as well. They would vote for a bucket of dog vomit before they'd endorse a democrat. Pathetic.

[Jackpine Radical]

9. Not only would they vote for a bucket of dog vomit,

if they vote Republican they have already done so many times.

[rivegauche]

15. OMG! That cracked me up, and I needed that. Thanks. :) nt

[quakerboy]

11. We don't know what they do in the privacy of the booth.

I harbor a suspicion that my father voted for Obama, possibly twice. Never gonna force him to answer that question though. Obama won, and that's enough.

There is a breaking point, though. Lots of people are much more effected by immediate, here and now disruptions to life and especially to the pocketbook, than they are to abstracts that eventually effect them. Faulty as the rumor may be, the whole frog into cold water thing applies.

[Nevernose]

12. Or they decide

That the Tea Party is the answer to Republicans and double down on the bad decision making.

[tsuki]

33. Maybe. But will they vote teabagger in a primary? nt

[CrispyQ]

32. This is what I think too.

The 2014 elections are a long time off. Americans have short memories. And like the other respondent to your post said, they aren't endorsing Democrats.

[freshwest]

5. I feel bad for her. Keep close and update her on what all this means. And get her to decide what's

really important.

This nation or those who wave the flag and yell for war or talk about oaths and honor while they make war on us at home. We are all in this together, I hope they will understand that and not fall fo the 'deficit' talk being put forth by Paul.

I hope her family is not of the Oathkeeper Libertarian style GOP. They will never change their views, but will push to default for ideology.

After all their media bosses pay them well, enough to try a coup. Which is what this is.

This is about Obamacare and what it represents, We The People, not the party of MEE The Millionaire.

PBO is simply following the law to fulfill the promises he made running for office. The bill was debated, voted on, passed, signed into law and found Constitutional.

The American have been fooled. Best wishes for the survival and enlightenment of your cousin and family.

I'm quite impressed that she felt you were the 'go to' person to help her deal with the calamity that the Tea Party is creating.

[MinneapolisMatt]

6. Thanks for the response.

I've always been the out gay liberal in the family (read: black sheep!).

We're chatting on facebook right now, and she's hammering me with questions. I just may have a convert!

[Salviati]

26. I wouldn't push too hard for a conversion.

Ask her to make sure to remember who it was that fooled her, point her in the right direction, and make yourself available. If she is as angry as it sounds, and she cares a whit for the truth, she'll convert herself.

[KT2000]

7. Wow! The R's have depended upon

"suspending disbelief" for so long. Maybe there will be more who awaken to their fraud.
It's like watching a play and being so engrossed in it - and then an actor trips or falls down - it brings us back to reality.

[justaddh2o]

10. Great story - and brings up a question

I'm so glad to hear this! My Repub relatives have yet to say this (or something similar) but it gives me hope

It also makes me wonder -- what is the best way to explain Obamacare to a disgruntled (or downright angry) Republican? I mean, can it be explained in a way that won't seem too "librul" to them? Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

[Roland99]

13. Easy

Existing healthcare provided by an employer continues as it always has (unless the coverage doesn't meet certain bare minimum requirements for being actual decent, basic coverage)

If one is not employed or doesn't have employer-offered (or provided) coverage, then that person can go to the health care exchange in their state and seek out policies provided by multiple *private sector* insurance companies (nothing is gov't run...it's all private insurers). The policies range in pricing dependent upon the coverage levels/deductibles/co-pays/etc.

If one is below 400% of the federal poverty level (http://kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/), then subsidies can pay for some (if not most) of the monthly premium. Depends upon household income and family size.

Also, if the insurance offered by an employer is 9.5% of household annual income or more, then one can seek out insurance on the exchanges, as well (and, in that case, the employer is subject to a fine...i believe $2,000...for having an insurance plan that is too expensive)

[justaddh2o]

23. Thank you for this

But I guess I was thinking that perhaps there's a way to talk about what the new healthcare system means to people, rather than describe the details of its implementation. Although I prefer specifics and detail when discussing issues, I also realize that people buy into something on emotion then justify it with facts.

[gopiscrap]

21. Welcome to DU

[justaddh2o]

22. Thanks!

[gopiscrap]

24. You're welcome, hope you have fun here.

[Volaris]

30. Probably the easiest way is to inform them that this isn't "Obamacare",

so much as it should have Newt Gingrich's name attached to it.
Because that's essentially what it is--the free-market REPUBLICAN answer to the Clinton single-payer initiative. That it hung around long enough for a Democratic President to sign it into law (much to the chagrin of many of his "dirty liberal" base, mind you=)) should be irrelevant to her. This is the MARKET solution to the problem of not enough people having access to the healthcare they need. She still has an Insurance Company, she still has premiums and co-pays and whatnot, but now that EVERYONE is going to be in that Market, prices drop for EVERYONE. If she counters with something like "well, how is it good that another industry has to be regulated by the Government?" tell her this:

There has NEVER been an industry in the United States that got itself "regulated" by Uncle Sam that didn't EARN that oversight in the first place. InsCo's WERE screwing over ENOUGH people that something had to be done. Not all, for sure, but enough that the American Electorate took notice. And this is what happens when you fuck around and piss off the Voting Majority.

Well, maybe DON'T say that last part, that might still be a bridge too far haha.

[DinahMoeHum]

14. MM, this is how we get them to our side. . .

. . .one by one by one by one by one by one. . .etc.

[AtheistCrusader]

16. I'll believe it when I see it in the vote tallies.

Till then... Well, that sounds nice. But they were already irrational, being republicans, right?

[MinneapolisMatt]

25. ;-)

She's been upset all night. Hopefully, she'll see who is really on her side once and for all.

[Blue Owl]

34. And I'll believe the vote tallies when they aren't counted by privatized outfits working for the GOP

[kentuck]

17. They're good at tricking people.

Unfortunately.

[Berlum]

18. The GOP has crapped all over Americans with this

and some of those who have been SUCKERED are now waking up.

Thank heavens.

[searchingforlight]

19. I hope her conversion is not short lived.

One of my family members went from being very well off to having nothing and having to depend on SSI and the kindness of strangers. She use to think SSI was over used and that they shouldn't have to pay into it because they already had a good retirement program.

She loves the programs but still soaks up FOX and has no compassion for the other people who are suffering because they are just takers.

[Uncle Joe]

20. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for sharing, MinneapolisMatt.

[MinneapolisMatt]

27. I'd like to comment again!

My family is having a meeting. Seems we have to raise money for my cousins move, meaning = no money for repubs. Everyone is disgusted, sitting out elections. WOW!

Sorry posted to soon - no votes for repubs, working on dem votes!

[NBachers]

28. "Matt's the Liberal in the Family. Let's see what he has to say."

[Cha]

31. LOl!

[Volaris]

29. One by one, they are going to start figuring it out.

I think, (and this is MY intuition, and mine alone) that a lot of them simply don't realize how close to being "Liberal" they actually are.
OUR job, as messengers, is to make that process of self-enlightenment as painless as possible (believe me, it will be painful enough as it is).

There is a lot of fear over on that side, as evidenced by this:
http://www.democracycorps.com/attachments/article/954/dcor%20rpp%20fg%20memo%20100313%20final.pdf

Its a fear that has been PUT THERE by people who don't give a shit about them, and it was put there for the purpose of making a buck.
And yes, Virginia, that's an action I really WONT be tolerant of, because I have some level of compassion for the exploitation of other Human Beings.

After reading the entire document I linked to above, there is a process emerging in my mind about the best way to diminish that fear, based on which "group" each person self-associates with. It would take some time to explain, but if you want I will share my thoughts on how to make the "un-brainwashing" a lot more efficient and less painful for them, your cousin included.

P.S.--after having read through that document, I don't believe that the great majority of the political minority over there are actually, intentionally racists--I don't think they hate this President because he's black, I think they hate him because they think he's a Liberal, and they have been TOLD that makes him un-American.