Omg omg omg ... I'm not sure if you are aware...

[tavernier]

I work at a place in the Florida Keys that is SO exclusive, SO repuglican and old money that even the Donald is not welcome.

Today I overheard several conversations about how deeply disgusted the patrons here are at the party.

"I don't tell people anymore that I am a republican."

Honestly, this comment made me practically fall over, because these are Hard, Dyed in the Wool Republicans.

Here's the thing: these people are nice; they donate a LOT to very many charities. One lady gave a huge piece of property and the money to build four pools on it to our local kids, because she loves kids and there was no place for them to play; one pool is for little ones with a Pirate's ship and theme.

I digress: (really nice lady, R.I.P.)

Anyway, point being that the Ppl with the really big money ... DON'T WANT TO PLAY WITH THE LOSERS ANYMORE.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Good to hear, my dear tavernier...thank you! n/t

[PoliticAverse]

2. What specifically are they disgusted about? n/t

[roguevalley]

3. i heard money bags are pulling back

thanks, tavernier

[malaise]

11. Maybe the money bags are finally realizing

that ReTHUG scumbags take their money, spend it on consultants and themselves and still lose on every issue.

[rurallib]

12. I think also they realize

that if they cause a default on our debt the stock market and other markets will tank, possibly costing them millions

[malaise]

17. That too

The Koch brothers will go to their graves like their daddy - big time political losers

[KharmaTrain]

51. The Koch Nightmare...

...sadly these fascists have earned so much money that no boycott will hurt them and the money they throw around doesn't even show up other than a blip on their statements. The scary part is what will happen with their money once these oxygen thieves take dirtnaps. Millions being donated and used as endowments to "think tanks"...paying for generations of wingnuts to come...

[1StrongBlackMan]

27. Yep ...

Those with money recognize that the vast majority of "wealth" held be 1st and 2nd generation millionaires is on paper only ... their "wealth" is vastly diminished when the stock market tanks.

[The Wielding Truth]

4. The good germans must now take the reins from the pukes of the RW.

[abq e streeter]

5. I had lunch yesterday with an old friend who turned mildly conservative over the years

Not a rabid right winger, but sort of conservative.But yesterday ,I don't think I could even count the number of times the words "those goddam republicans' came out of his mouth . Thanks, Tea baggers, ya done chased another one back home.

[RVN VET]

35. Conservatism wasn't always about destroying the government

And true conservatives -- the few that are left -- will actually argue from reason and reality.

But their voices were long ago muffled by the Teabagger element that's usurped the GOP: the Kochs, Limbaugh, FOX, Cruz, and fools like Broun, Kingston, Westmoreland, Gohmert, and maybe 100-200 others in the Congress plus all of those State legislatures peopled by anti-American buffoons from gerrymandered districts.

[Laelth]

48. +1. n/t

-Laelth

[Cha]

37. So good to hear, abq! That in spite of the Chuck Todding of US Media..

and the pushing of "false equivalency".. Who Exactly is really to blame is Getting Through!

[wordpix]

6. richies like the Kochs created the t-bag party and now must handle the monsters

they created.

So your nice R friends should either become D's or start dealing with the snakes they let loose.

[PADemD]

28. I think the monsters were always with us.

They were just given a new name, backing with money, and the license to spew their hatred.

[longship]

32. It's alive. It's alive. IT'S ALIVE!!!!"

Of course, we know the result. The monster stomps through the town, with destruction in its path.

With apologies to Mary Shelly.

[thecrow]

33. They made my SO turn...

He is a Republican who never voted in all the time we've been together (21 years), yet this past year he stood in line for 2 hours to vote for Obama.
Now he says he's an Independent and snarls every time a RepublicanTeahadist comes on TV.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

7. I still know someone is CONVINCED he is best buds with God because he votes Republican.

[Ilsa]

55. I think mixing politics with religion is the

only way they've been able to win any elected office in the last 30 years. Religious folks have been convinced to sacrifice their benefits, a living wage, and reproductive rights for their religion and political dominance. So voting GOP gets them more favors from God, by their reckoning.

[awoke_in_2003]

70. When you can be convinced...

to tithe 10% of your income, the rest should be easy.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

72. They're getting suckered into believing "God's Kingdom On Earth" is under the American Flag.

[AnneD]

75. God's Kingdom on Earth.....

is found in your heart. Always has been. That is why some folks strain so hard to find it.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

76. Some white people in the South believe they are a long suffering people,...

....living under an occupation by the federal government since the Civil War and the local clergy feeds into that.

[AnneD]

81. Lived in the south (sort of)...

all my life (Texas). Not all clergy preach that, only those interested in their own power and aggrandizement. When I was a sprout, most taught to render unto Cesar what was Cesar but God's was the kingdom of heaven.

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2000/04/What-Belongs-To-God.aspx

In a famous passage about taxes, Jesus said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Mark 12:13-17; the same passage appears, slightly modified, in Matthew 22:15-22 and Luke 20:20-26).
Over the centuries, many Christians have based their attitudes toward government on this passage. Some have thought that Jesus' statement establishes two separate realms, Caesar's and God's, and that people should render to each what they ask for in their respective realms. This interpretation strikes many Americans as obviously correct, given our separation of church and state.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

82. Most of the evangelicals didn't even vote until the Republicans started the "Christian Coalition"...

They were more interested in the spiritual realm.

Then Republicans infiltrated the Churches and told the flock that Democrats were against God and they did it to make people forget the disaster the country had gone through under Nixon and to make the South forget that Carter was a deeply religious man.

[Drahthaardogs]

8. The Rich Republicans are jealous of what they own,

but they are NOT crazy. The Tea Party are anarchists. It is just that simple.

[etherealtruth]

10. That's just it ... those Republicans are motivated by greed

while greed is not an admirable quality ... it is NOT a symptom of abject stupidity and or derangement

[Mira]

9. I love what you are saying.

And thank you for telling it.

[genxlib]

13. Hey, that's my project

I'm an Engineer and designed that project. And I know exactly the lady you mean. We named it after her but I don't know if they actually call it that.

Glad to hear them talking sense.

[calimary]

18. Welcome to DU, genxlib!

Glad you're here! YES!!! It IS good to see them talking sense. Even if only momentarily. One can always hope it sinks in and takes root and another soul or two are saved. KEEP ON setting the record straight, guys, wherever and whenever you can!!!!

[tavernier]

47. Fantastic!

And thank you for the many hours I spent with my grandson at your project! There aren't many things to do with a pre-schooler in the islands and you often saved my sanity.
Many do call it after her; most adults. The kids call it the Pirate Pool. 😄

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. I heard something similar here in San Diego

Anecdotes ...but.

[lpbk2713]

15. The GOP "leadership" has messed in their own bed.

Now they'll have to learn to live with it the best way they can.

[monmouth3]

16. Very similar to Palm Beach. The Kochs have homes down here so don't know if they're being ignored

or not, but the super wealthy down here are old time repubs..

[Shankapotomus]

19. Couple of things

The Koch Brothers donate too. That doesn't make them nice people, though I understand the spirit of what you're saying.

The other point I have is that a lot of conservatives will, the vast majority of the time, back what they at first perceive as the more powerful group, position, tradition or institution regardless of the general harm it is doing to the world, the nation or any groups negatively effected. And some of them will just as quickly abandon some belief or once sacred loyalty when they realize it's no longer a winning game. It has nothing to do with finally seeing the light or some compassionate epiphany. It's more likely they haven't really changed or learned anything. They just don't want to lose or be associated with losers. There's nothing to lose by jumping on the biggest wave that everybody else is on.

The more genuine test of a real political epiphany, as I'm sure you know, is when it happens as a personal mental adjustment without an accompanying popular consensus.

[hopemountain]

29. thank you for helping us clear

back a couple more layers of smoke and mirrors with your perspective, shankapotomus. makes a whole lot of sense.

[Ferretherder]

44. What you said!

I think you hit the nail on the head.

[grantcart]

20. I understand and I know lots of Republicans like that. I will quibble with one thing

you don't have to be that exclusive to not want Donald. He really isn't a reflection of Republicans, the really wealthy or anyone in the establishment.

[OregonBlue]

74. Agreed. Old money considers The Donald rich trailer trash.

[TBF]

21. I think they've created a monster they can't control --

they knew what they were doing when they became the party of "God and Guns" - they knew exactly which demographic they were going for and they did it quite well. Now the demographic has taken on a life of their own and they are having a hard time controlling them. Part of the problem is that some of the billionaires are not playing ball the old fashioned way. The Koch egos, for example, have decided they will do whatever they want and to hell with the party. That is new ...

As an aside, of course they are nice. I used to work for very wealthy families as a nanny when I was in high school/college. They didn't pay that well but the work was easy - hanging out at the club with the kids mostly. They are very nice to people when they are quiet and do their job well (and don't ask for any more $$$). But why shouldn't they be "nice"? I'd be pretty happy too if I inherited a boat load of money and could travel around and do whatever I wanted.

[Rebellious Republican]

22. Well you must admit, they are Keywesterners, to be a republican in keywest would be considered...

hard left in Salt Lake City.

Just kidding, thats a great story! Here is a little love from a brother floridian. K&R

On edit: had to add this a Jimmey Buffet diddy....

[tavernier]

53. Not Key West: north Key Largo

Far from the beaten path of daily tourist traffic. Most fly into the private airport.

Hope the song wasn't about me!

[Rebellious Republican]

78. Ah yes, that would explain the tavernier pseudonym!

Love the diving in that part of Florida, I have blown many bubbles in those parts. I live in the worst possible location for diving, Tampa Bay area. Hell its a couple of hours drive in any direction to get to some good water, be it fresh or salt. Rest assured the song was not about you my friend!

[Stardust]

77. I love it! Haven't heard that in ages! nt

[Rebellious Republican]

79. Your welcome, glad you enjoyed it. nt

[leftyohiolib]

23. they donate cause it's a tax write off - i think youre too close to them you have stockholm

syndrome or they have you fooled . they want to take away your social security, unemployment, welfare, wic, food stamps,if you have a job minimum wage is too much to pay you, they want to pollute your water with fracking, your air with mercury .all that shit the tealiban want well that's just fine with them .people like them just shut down the government so you cant have health care, they don't tell people theyre republicans but that's how they'll vote.
you know nice republicans in Arizona just ended welfare there.
DON'T WANT TO PLAY WITH THE LOSERS. sure, come election time sure as shit they'll vote republican
btw I heard paula dean was was a real nice person as well

[hopemountain]

31. yup. i agree with you and jimmy buffet

they will be republican assholes for the rest of their lives and vote accordingly. it's hard to breed the greed out of their dna.

it also pisses me off when they refuse to increase taxes to the wealthy & demand & expect churches and the middle class to up their donations to food pantries and to education, volunteer their time for the elderly and needy, etc... when we already are doing all we can and are able - because we want to give a hand...but they fucking demand we give more.

[juajen]

41. What I say now may be controversial, but here goes.

I get very angry when that familiar ad comes on with the country song, "Say a Prayer for Peace" asking for donations for the poor soldiers who have been injured physically and mentally by war waged by the rich for their interests.

Donations should not be asked of people who hated the war and tried to stop it, or from families that believed it was for our "freedoms" and have no idea that this is simply a play on words to induce sympathy and open pocketbooks.

The rich should pay and the VA should take care of them as promised. Let's see, our social security and other taxes paid for the billions wasted, for the huge permanent embassy compound that's actually a gilded city with a huge wall surrounding it. We don't hear much about that glorious city these days, and the list goes on.

How many of us also sent supplies to our soldiers? Wonder why? Their food was horrible because it was outsourced, etc., etc., etc., and they didn't have proper equipment and were burning up in the desert. Goodness, is the desert hot or something? Don't even get me started on the war in Afghanistan. Eleven years there and we actually thought we should wage a war in a country that has never been conquered, where their soldiers simply go up their mountains where the air is very hard for our soldiers to breathe. We knew that and did train some soldiers in the mountains, but not enough to make a real difference. For God sake, let women run the damn government. Men have conquered the United States, I just don't know who the overlords are, or do I?

[beerandjesus]

56. I completely agree

Not sure I believe women are a panacea: We still have Michele Bachmann, Marsha Blackburn, Virginia Foxx, etc., but I agree with pretty much every other word. As a nation, if we're going to fight a war, we should be prepared to pay ALL the goddamn costs, and not just prey on our more generous citizens--who, as you rightly point out, tend to be the ones who oppose this bullshit in the first place!

[hopemountain]

80. when we pay our taxes

we expect our government to take care of our soldiers with the best - while they are on the battlefield and when they get home. to try to slough off that responsibility on generous citizens for donations is shameful. but, of course, greed cares nothing about shame nor honor.

nothing controversial about your post, either juajen. also, indigenous spiritual and medicine healers have been calling for some time for true of heart women leaders to be given the opportunity to lead with their wisdom.

[KentuckyWoman]

24. This does not translate into better days for the 99%.

Old money can afford to be generous when they want to be. They used the Republicans while they could. Now they'll use someone else to secure their family fortunes.

The Tea Party is already losing a little support amongst blue collar whites. At least in my neck of the woods - reddest of red - they'll still go Republican sure, but the Tea Party folks voted in here are now in big trouble...... The Tea Party starved of money by the old money guard until it dies off as a movement with any say at all in politics can only be a good thing. Then maybe the "Eisenhower Republicans" can come back to power and stick to keeping poor people poor. Sad that would be an improvement.

[liberal_at_heart]

67. yes putting up a playground or pool for kids is great, but what would be really great is

supporting public policy that would fund K-12 education and universities, increase wages, and fund programs that are known to help poverty stricken neighborhoods such as food stamps, WIC, Medicaid, subsidized daycare, and head start programs.

[99th_Monkey]

25. From your lips to Boehner's ear. ~nt

[leveymg]

26. Self-interest will win out, and even the nice ladies will go back to the GOP

This too shall pass.

[gopiscrap]

30. excellent

[EverHopeful]

34. It's their greed that's making them bail on the Anarchists in Washington

The only value any money has, comes from the trust people have in that money. The current pissing contest threatens the world's trust in the U.S. dollar and, while that will devastate most of us in the world, I don't think that's what worries most of the very wealthy. I'm sure they've secured their wealth against most currency fluctuations but the widespread loss of trust in the U.S. dollar would, I suspect, make noticeable dents in their net worth and that's what they can't abide.

Thanks for posting this 'cause it cheers me up to hear it, whatever the reason. If they really start losing the support of people they actually care about, it can only be better for the rest of us, no?

[dogknob]

36. I'm sure the Bohemian Grove is buzzing these days, too. But...

I don't get all that excited about wealthy people who "donate to charity," particularly if they are sitting on the board of a charity with a mission to solve a problem that they have created (or profit from allowing to continue). The problem never gets solved and they get to prop up the illusion that they know the meaning of empathy.

Ever been to a breast cancer fundraiser? Swanky!

http://dissidentvoice.org/2013/09/philanthropy-the-corpocracys-insurance-policy/

[Cha]

38. Thanks for the delicious report from the Keys,

tavernier!

[Warpy]

39. Old money 1% ers are not the players

New billionaires are the main players and they will continue to contribute heavily to the GOP so they can keep on looting.

[blue14u]

40. A glimmer of hope

is always welcome, even if just for a little while. They may think twice next time...


you never know...

Thank you for the delight I feel before I go to sleep...

[Kablooie]

42. But it won't affect the tea party GOP. They have their own isolate cheering team.

They will all return in the next election to continue destroying the country for the next decade.

Sure it's nice to hear Republicans who reject their party and might get a few more Democrats in Congress but don't get your hopes up over the house.
The tea party districts are ecstatic and will come out in record numbers to continue the war on America.

This isn't going to go away, possibly for decades.

[TxDemChem]

43. Whoa, glad to see there is so shame bubbling up

For their party's deeds

[tavernier]

45. TY all for the discussion. My final thought:

They are angry; they see themselves as patriots above all else (despite what we know as their role in the genesis of the problem) and they recognize their country being threatened by others wearing the R label. I have no illusions that they will pull the D lever in the voting booth, but I do think they will work together to stamp out the super loonies.

[cali]

46. there's no omg about that

old money republicans have been disgusted with the republican party of late for quite some time. they may be died in the wool republicans but they're even more died in the wool snobs.

Most old money repubs stopped being repubs years ago.

And btw, old money repubs are hardly the people with the really big money anymore.

[tavernier]

49. You're probably right

I don't know much about this species, old or new. I can only speak from my own experience and the community in which I work; there is plenty of both money and republicans here.

[leftynyc]

50. That's the story in NY for a long time

Many of the wealthy were Rockefeller republicans - fiscally conservative but much more moderate on social issues. They realized during the Reagan administration that their party was being taken over by the religious right and that's why it's so hard to find anyone downstate who claims to be republican - there are an awful lot calling themselves independent.

[voteearlyvoteoften]

52. Cheeca Lodge?

Love the upper keys

[tavernier]

54. No

Ocean Reef. Technically in key largo but so far off the beaten track, no tourists bump into it by accident. Private airport and heavily manned security gate. Even the employees have plastic pass cards that are checked each time.

[MynameisBlarney]

57. Cheers from Key Largo!

And thanks for the wonderful news!

[dotymed]

58. Maybe pride in the elite's contributions to America

is making a resurgence especially since the corporate politicians have starved and belittled "the average man" for so long.

When (pre-Reagan) there was an actual progressive income tax in America, with approximately a 95% tax on income that was actually so obscene as to be considered too much even by their already very, very wealthy standards' Many of these elite people took pride in the amount of tax they paid. It went to help the people and the country that had allowed them to become so wealthy.

When their tax rates become less than that of blue collar workers, many of them thought it was unfair but hesitated to bring their wealth to public attention. It was an elitist thing and a protection against average people realizing the unfairness of their lot in life compared to the very wealthy families.

The new money elitists reveled in their greed and bought politicians and stashed wealth offshore to insure that no one would get their money.
They are sociopaths ("our" SCOTUS has codified sociopathic people in citizens united) and feel no empathy (they have taught this
disease to their progeny and their "underlings" as a way to prosper) or responsibility to give back to America or her citizens.

Maybe they realize that it has become unsustainable because of the greed mostly associated with the republicans.
It has become unsustainable. "They" are no better than "us." Wealth must be redistributed, either through taxes or through revolution.

[Orsino]

59. American society is plural enough in some places for this to happen. n/t

[raging_moderate]

60. Ocean Reef?

If you are alluding to Ocean Reef, boy they ARE in trouble. 1800 homes with owners' average net worth at least $100 million.

[tavernier]

62. Dat's the place.

I hold my head up proudly when I park my twelve year old Saturn vue next to the Jaguars.

[mikeysnot]

61. You might kindly remind them

that if nothing is done to stem global climate change, there won't be any Keys left...

[mgardener]

63. Overheard

I was at the Cape Cod national seashore last week, which was closed due to Republicans.

Heard some complaints about the republicans. One foreign visitor(German?) asked how a party could shut down the government and not be considered terrorists?
Had no explanation for them.

[dsharp88]

64. Because the tea party wants the power and won't be the usual puppets of Wall Street. n/t

[valerief]

65. Nice people are not Republican in 2013. nt

[Agschmid]

66. I know this information does not seem personal but please...

Be careful when posting this identifying information on the internet.

[tavernier]

68. It is a public resort as well...

With a hotel , vacation home rentals, etc. they advertise on the Internet. It is just very expensive and exclusive. I haven't told any secrets.

[Agschmid]

69. There are segments of the internet population...

Who like to spend time getting DUers fired from their jobs. I don't want you to become their target.

[tavernier]

71. Interesting

Thanks!

[colsohlibgal]

73. A Bridge Too Far Right?

It seems like it - as the title of Tom Tomorrow's recent cartoon collection says, just "Too Much Crazy".

Just heard right wing talker Michael Medved on with Stephanie Miller and alas, surprisingly, even he has had his fill of the nut ball anarchist right wing crazy train driving the bus off the cliff. I'm no fan of Medved, but he showed more spine than the David Gregory (both sides" types.

[LaPera]

83. They'll still vote republican!

Supporting republican ideology & agenda.