Encouraging visit with my Republican parents this weekend....

[eeyore]

This was an interesting weekend to have a visit from my Colorado Republican parents. They are fiscally conservative life-long Reps, and we often have a really hard time with politics. I usually steer clear of the subject, but it can be really hard sitting around the breakfast table reading the paper every morning.

Anyway, here are some highlights:

My dad was really happy to see Delay busted - thinks he's dirty to the core wants him and his kind gone.

My dad thinks Judith Miller is a wonderful reporter, especially her writings about anthrax. Just about bit my tongue off on that one. It was too early to get into it with him.

Both my mom and dad were ranting about how the state budgets in Colorado have been ruined by a Republican tax activist. They are really worried and upset about it, and are intent on voting to repeal the tax limits.

Both are completely fed up with the Fundie influence in Colorado politics. They live in Ft. Collins, home to Marilyn Musgrave - she of the Defense of Marriage Act.

My mom was totally ranting about how kids are no longer allowed to wear Halloween costumes to school because of the Fundies. My parents are life-long Catholics who have left the church over the past few years as well.

My parents and many of their friends, mostly all relatively well off Republicans, are shifting over to hybrid cars. Most are keeping one 4 wheel drive SUV, but all are becoming very energy conscious. They have friends who are talking about moving into smaller houses to conserve heating costs.

What the hell is going on here? Has the pendulum finally begun to swing our way?

-eeyore

[SeattleGirl]

1. That IS encouraging.

Obviously your parents, like many people regardless of political affiliation, really start to take notice of things when they land in their own front yard. It sounds like they are "old school" Republicans, in the best sense of the word, and definitely not neo-cons. Bet that made you feel pretty good.

[eeyore]

4. Definitely no Neo-Cons

They are both over 70, very old school Reagan Republicans. Some of this stuff was very encouraging.

However, my mom was also whining that Bush just can't say anything these days without being made out to look like an idiot - like he is being made the victim. Made me want to :puke:

I've learned that I have to very gently push them towards the light. It's exhausting!

[SeattleGirl]

8. Exhausting, but

worth your efforts thus far, as they definitely seem to be seeing the truth!

My work is with my brothers. Both my sissies and my mom and I are all liberals, but brothers are, while not Bushbots, Bush supporters. The youngest isn't as bad as the other one. The youngest bro and I can have intelligent, respectful conversations about politics.

My other brother -- he needs a lot of educating! Last Christmas, after dinner and all the presents and everything, he, my husband and I were talking about Iraq. Brother said, "Well, they should just bomb the whole country out of existence." I asked him why. He started with the right-wing talking points, and I told him that it was primarily Saudi's who were responsible for 9/11, not Iraqi's. Then he said, "Well, they are killing our soldiers." To which I said, "WE invaded THEM, not the other way around. And many, many of the people getting killed by us are innocent Iraqi citizens. The citizens who do take up arms against our soldiers are defending themselves, their families, and their country. Wouldn't you do the same if another country's army invaded America? Wouldn't you defend the country, and especially your family?" He kind of blinked a few times, and then said, "Yeah, I guess I would." DING! A little light went on in his head.....

[GRLMGC]

2. "Has the pendulum finally begun to swing our way?"

Its only natural. When one party has too much power, people are bound to become disillusioned.

[aquart]

3. They realize George is tanking the nation.

And that nothing will get better, and may get a whole lot worse, anytime soon.

[eeyore]

7. I think you are right..

Thankfully, they are the sort that are very concerned with the future for their kids and grandkids - a future they will never see. Sad to think this way, but I think they just want to die knowing that everything will be okay for the loved ones they leave behind, and it just doesn't seem that way right now.

[DanCa]

5. pendilums swing like pendilums do

my old man is a retired marine di he said he would never wear the uniform again because of the smear attacks on senator kerry. This comming from a fall out we had because i couldnt join the service because i wont touch a gun on principle. Congrats on your parents. I know what its like being a blue in a red family.

[lady lib]

6. Nothing gives me more hope than reading about

life-long Republicans starting to see the light. It's happening with people in my life, too.

[SheilaT]

9. The problem is that

they're not very likely to fully connect all the dots and understand to what extent the Republican Party that they've been supporting for the last 25 years is totally to blame. I'm frankly getting sick and tired of hearing about Republicans who are shocked, just shocked to learn of the corruption in the party. I want to ask them to give me a guided tour of the cave they've been living in.

It's not as though clear-sighted people were able to tell at the very beginning that the tax activists are ruining places like Colorado. It shouldn't be breaking news to them that if fundies like Marilyn Musgrave were encouraged, they'd have a totally unwanted influence. And on and on. Tell them, too bad about the Halloween costumes, but that was part of the package deal letting the fundies take control.

[intheflow]

10. I worked at a church in Fort Collins.

They're always welcome to worship with the Unitarians or the UCCs.

Well, I'm sure those are still a bit too radical for them. But there's a really cool Episcopal church in town they might try.

It makes me sad that people feel so spiritually wounded by conservative chuches. But I'm glad you're parents are awakening. My family is the same way, beginning to see the light after 40 years in a Republican tunnel. Hallelujah!

[lady lib]

12. Question for you intheflow:

Is the conservative Church of Christ one of the major churches in Fort Collins?

[intheflow]

14. I don't know.

I don't think so. The big fundie church in town is HUGE, though. It's the Timberline Church, and they have their own coffee shop, Bible and religious resource store, and the local news covers anything they do. (Whereas we couldn't get anyone to report on our multi-liberal-church's joint statement to oppose Musgrave's nutty bill.)

I hadn't even heard of the Church of Christ until I was preaching once in Amarillo, mentioned the UCC's and several people in the congregation thought I was talking about the Church of Christ--they don't have a UCC congregation in Amarillo. Amazing that they have a UU one! Anyway, I didn't live in Fort Collins, this was my seminary intership. But I think I would have heard about them if they were a huge presence in town.

[lady lib]

16. Thanks.

Many years ago (seems like another lifetime) I was a member of Church of Christ and we had quite a few members from Fort Collins moved down to Phoenix, so I was curious as to what had become of their congregation.

[eeyore]

19. We don't really discuss religion anymore

Some of the biggest fights I ever had with my parents were over Catholocism. I told them that I didn't want to be confirmed when I was 14, and that they were forcing me to do it. I told them that it would be hypocritical for me to stand up in church and declare that I was ready to become a committed adult in a church and religion that I didn't believe in. Hooo-boy, those were some fights!

Thanks for the tip, though. I think it's best to stay away from religion as a topic. Never ends well!

-eeyore

[intheflow]

22. Religion and Politics

You have to read my profile, under my hobbies. I'm Lebanese, Italian, and a DAR--fightin' is in my blood! :evilgrin:

But I certainly understand your point of view. Religion in America is not a topic for polite company, that's for sure. I'm still glad they seem to be improving.

[Skittles]

11. your parents have potential, eeyore

but....your dad still needs an ass-kicking for his fawnings over Ms. Miller; I will schedule him soon. :D

[dweller]

15. must be one hell of a schedule you have there skittles

please pencil in my kid brother at your convenience.

At the latest family gathering he was complaining about the price of gas (he of the supersized p/u truck) and needing to move closer to his job since it was so costly. His new fundie wife was considering trading her Tahoe in for a Prius, and i was praising her consideration (about as close to having a conversation as i ever had with her) and he chimes in "Well at least we can be glad Gore never was elected, he said he'd raise gas to $5 / gal."

i attempted to explain how that would have promoted alternative energies, and could tell by the look in his eyes it was going nowhere over his head. So a serious ass kicking is due.

thanks in advance.
dp

[Skittles]

18. KID BROTHERS!!!!!!!!!

I HAVE FOUR OF THEM!!!!!! :O

[dweller]

23. then you know the routine

i'd like the extra special a-whooping for this one.
:D

dp

[eeyore]

17. Agreed...

And he loooooves Katie Couric and Jane Pauley as well. Those are his ideal women. Can't understand why Jane would be married to a guy Gary Trudeau. Frankly, I don't understand their marriage either, but for opposite reasons.

[OKDem08]

13. I had a discussion w/my mom tonight (leans right)

This is the first time we have talked since Katrina and I stated the * administration is completely inept and corrupt at which time our conversation ended abruptly.
Tonight when we spoke, I see signs of a revelation. I told her about * repealing the Davis-Bacon act and the Plame investigation. She's actually beginning to see the truth.

[sandnsea]

20. Liberal Republicans

Take back liberal, make them push out the fundies, all at the same time. A liberal Republican Party and a Green Party is a much better option than the psychowackorama we've got going on now.

[FreedomAngel82]

21. I think so

I think people are learning and getting fed up. Good for those with the cars! I have an altima and don't use too much gas (of course I don't go really anywhere except class and church and out sometimes). Maybe you can give your parents a reasoning for voting democratic next year. ;)I'm glad you had a nice visit though!