Flack on my Kerry stickers - what's wrong with these people?

[osaMABUSh]

We live in a Pittsburgh suburb where it is mostly middle, upper middle and upper class. I consider myself and my wife's friends middle class, maybe slightly upper middle class.

We have Kerry bumper stickers and both our vehicles (a new van and my beat up '91 Civic). In my neighborhood I've seen no Bush stickers and just one other Kerry sticker. Well, the reaction my wife has received from her friends is startling. They things like: "Kerry, what do you have a Kerry sticker for?" or in jest (I guess) "You can't be my friend anymore if you are going ride around with that on" or "don't let my husband see that". We have even got negative comments from their under 12 year old children on the stickers. WTF?

I guess I didn't realize that these middle class people actually think they are the 2% wealthiest and are the top beneficiaries of Bush tax cuts. There are two guys running for President. You are for one or the other. I guess they think, however, everyone that lives around here has to be for Bush.

This is really starting to bother my wife since they are her friends. I personally don't give a shit. I haven't made a true new friend in 20 years. All my best buddies are from high school or college days. (Come to think of it most of them have turned repuke too but somehow we get along). I guess a little college education and financial success makes these people think they are "the have and have mores" when in reality they are doing OK but, of course, they are probably in debt up to their arses.

Any advice on how to get along with these friends but have a our own political point of view too?

[sendero]

1. I won't put stickers...

... on my cars because here in Dallas you're just asking to get keyed.

But the day someone puts up a Bush* sign on my block is the day I get a Kerry sign and a Martin Frost sign.

[AbbeyRoad]

24. I drove down to Dallas last month

through Arkansas with my "John Kerry" and "Democratic Underground" stickers on. I was expecting somebody to start something, but I didn't have any problems. I was a bit surprised. I was only there for a week, so I trust you when you say it can get hostile.

Back here in Illinois, I came out of the grocery store to find a big green clump of booger on my car trunk under the Democratic Underground sticker on my back window. Ick! That was frickin' nasty.

[merh]

2. Its the largest pyramid scam imaginable and so many having fallen

for it. They all buy into the scam believing that they will get rich and richer, knowing that if they do their part, the gold and platinum levels are within reach. And just like a classic pyramid scheme, only the guys at the top make the money and see the benefits of the scam. All others are losers.


Wasn't it Wilson that said something to the effect that if you want to spend like a republican, you must vote for the democrat?

[tnlefty]

6. I think that it was Truman and more like

'If you want to live like a republican then vote for a democrat'.

[merh]

26. You are correct, thanks for correcting me. It has been a while since

I heard or read the quote, this post just reminded me of it. Thanks again (that's what I love about this board, so many minds willing to share, so much information out there to absorb and things to learn).

Thank you again. I will google it (should have in the first place) and may add it to my signature line.

I had to edit because I am tired and my senses (since(s)) are off!

[Carni]

17. Best analogy and explanation I have ever seen

for this moron middle class/bush lovefest!

You pegged it!

[floridaguy]

3. You must realize that the fact that you're making this post,

is reason enough not to take those stickers off. I went through this too. In fact, where I live, some people are afraid they'll get their cars keyed. It's just a car, right?

I've decided it's time to divide friends and acquaintances. I have true friends, who don't agree with my political positions, and that's great. I have a lot of acquaintances who I expect won't talk to me during the next four months. So be it, I'll spend that extra time with my friends.

Good luck

[osaMABUSh]

9. Thanks for the advice on the true friends

I think that will help.

I think, though, what bothers these people is that we have enough passion to actually put our beliefs out there (e.g., bumper stickers) for all to see whereas they really don't have that true belief in Bush. And they can't understand it.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

11. Exactly

if you are for Kerry you are supposed to be quiet about it.

Bull. Forget that.

[tnlefty]

4. I recently had one of my shithead neighbors put that e-mail "what it takes

to be a good democrat" in my mailbox because I had an anti-Bush* sticker on my car along with a Kerry sticker. As soon as I found it in the mailbox I put on 2 more less tame stickers! I'm in a heavily repuke area and I'm sick of it and refuse to back off anymore.

I don't know what your solution will be, but I wouldn't cave in.

[Literate Tar Heel]

5. my Kerry/Edwards sticker is on the way

and I've actually had the same worries (car getting keyed, sticker ripped off) ... I live in about a 55-45 Bush area of N.C., and the Bushies are much more vocal and aggressive, so it's a concern, but I'm gonna take my chances

[LittleApple81]

12. Thanks. We need people of courage. I have a repug neighborhood,

except the person to my right. He is a union person and organizer. BUT HE DOESN'T KNOW BEANS!!! My labor of love is to drop by and talk to him. He didn't even know who Karl Rove is, or the problem with the voting machines.... Amazing.

[hang a left]

7. I have anti-bush stickers but I won't put them on my car either.

I am afraid of vandalism and getting attacked in a parking lot or something. Brainwashed ignorant *shrub lovers abound and can be very testy. Everyone that knows me, knows where I stand. I just don't want to advertise it out there when I am all alone.

[southernleftylady]

8. I just saw a great bumper sticker today "Im to poor to vote republican" ..

says it all doesnt it lol

[merh]

27. I love that one -- I will have to make a window decal that has that

phrase!!! (lol)

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

10. We have friends who have bush-cheney stickers on their vehicles

and we get along fine as long as socio-political issues aren't brought up. Even then, they aren't really well-informed enough to go toe to toe with me and hubby. So they usually back off. Their only news source is Fox. They are basically decent people, just VERY mislead and ill-informed.

Anywho, as far as your wife goes, I do think there is an adjustment period when friends know your true feelings about things like this. I went through this with some friends several months back. With a couple of them, I decided to let the friendship go. It just wasn't worth it and the "friends" were acting like total horrible bigots.

With the others they stopped with the comments when I asked them what kind of problem they had with freedom of speech and the freedom to make my own choice as to who to vote for.

Best of luck. I'm in the Dallas area and have a "Texas Democrat" sticker, a Kerry sticker and a "Regime change begins at home" sticker. No biggie.

[osaMABUSh]

18. I guess they all assumed we were Bush lovers too

because we live in area that is mostly repuke.

I think her true friends will accept our position and let it go. And the others - to hell with 'em. I know several of my long time buddies are RWers but accept me as a Lib. I also have some Lib friends but don't want political beliefs to rule over who I call a friend.

[galadrium]

13. Sounds like some crappy people

I have 2 Kerry stickers on my car and a yard sign and I have not heard anything from anybody, not even the guy next door with a bush yard sign.

[rfkrocks]

14. Great posts

What is going on is that the veneer of civility of our politics is ripping apart-I mean it is really nasty out there-I blame the rethugs for this-they drove moderates out of their party and have radicalized the country-but are seemingly aloof from the very real consequences of their actions-The hunting of Clinton's private life after they couldn't beat him at the polls was really the hallmark of their agenda-all my rethug friends (i have a quite a few) are at best middle class and think Shrub is one of them-what a friggin joke-he sends their kids to war, robs their social security and treats people like his is some dammed king-but they like him-dark days indeed-I hope the rethugs will wake up to the understanding that dividing the country on God and war gave Europe hundreds of years of misery so that our founding fathers created a haven of reason here-its so damm sad watching the GOP rip it down

[Zorra]

15. I have some very intelligent, affluent friends that despise Bu$h.

Find some intelligent people to hang with.

[silverlib]

16. I have a great W sticker with the strike-through

I don't think the Republicans know whatit means.

[Turanga Leela]

19. You made me realize how fortunate I am...

To live in an urban, mixed-race, middle-class neighborhood. All of my neighbors HATE Bush, and my '94 Dodge Caravan has Dean and Democratic Underground stickers on it, and I've never heard a peep except "Gee, I wish he was still running!"

I also know all my neighbors and I live within 10 minutes of everything I need. Gee, I guess my $78,000, 90-year old brick twin is a great buy in more ways than one.

Remind me again why I'm supposed to aspire to a $350,000 cardboard McMansion out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by stump-dumb repuke greedheads? Oh yeah, THAT'S the American Way. :puke:

[osaMABUSh]

20. You nailed it.

I don't mind my house and the land but I'd certainly rather be away from all these repukes. Next home will be far away from the suburbs.

[Turanga Leela]

25. You're in a difficult situation, Elbay.

But I really admire you for your bravery in putting your beliefs out in the open in that environment.

It's easy for me to be a screaming libe HERE...my neighbors are a part-time RN who also writes poetry, an HVAC repairman (union all the way), and an African-American social worker. I don't think Bush will be using us as a backdrop anytime soon... :)

But seriously, 50 percent PLUS of the country agrees with us. The Republicans have just BULLIED everyone who disagrees with them into an uneasy silence. It's like a holiday dinner with the crazy nasty uncle...everyone tiptoes around, not saying anything remotely challenging, because nobody wants to set him off.

Which is totally understandable. But I'm SICK of it!!!We're all so worried about getting the Repukes *mad* at us. WE are the majority!

The desire to be *nice* is KILLING US. We must make our voices heard, one bumper sticker, one t-shirt at a time. No more being afraid!!!

[PassingFair]

21. Wohoo, Turanga Leela!

I've got the Dean sticker on my bumper, too. I'm in sales, and I admit that sometimes I sweat it when I'm calling on business owners. Last week, I realized that the guy I was talking to had hunting pictures of himself and carrion everywhere. Snuggled in the middle of the carnage, was a pix of the guy and his wife with *.
My husband gave me a lot of guff regarding my lite treatment of the guy (I think he's gonna buy from me...) I'm enough of a sycophant that I won't say anything, at least until after the contract's signed!
So far, the sticker has sparked some lively debate, but no one's actually blasted me for it. A couple have laughed at me, though...

And a BIG welcome to DU, Turanga Leela!

[seabeyond]

22. i am gathering five 40 something friends for sunday afternoon

at 9/11. i am using the other as an excuse of inviting them. a friend from denver is coming down and wants to see the movie, jo anne wants to go so lets get a group to do it, julie wants to go, but she needs a couple other repugs to feel comfortable

then.........i am going for drinks and appetizer and listen to what they all say.

how do i handle it,.... head on.

[Warren DeMontague]

23. Santorum Voters, Perhaps? n/t

[struggle4progress]

28. Refuse to hear it. Ignore it as if deaf. Or more aggressively ...

keep up the appearance of trying to understand what they are saying, but without ever giving any indication that you have any clue what they are talking about.

$%^# Kerry Sticker! "I beg your pardon?"
$%^# Kerry Sticker! "Could you please repeat that?"
$%^# Kerry Sticker! "I don't understand what you're trying to say."
$%^# Kerry Sticker! "What do you mean?"

If you really want to keep these clods as casual friends, remain completely blank in these exchanges: don't act offended. On the other hand, if they're serious that "We can't be friends anymore if you are going ride around with a Kerry sticker," I'd suggest a polite "Oh, that's too bad" followed by a long wide-eyed opportunity for them to apologize.

My own view is: The less mental energy invested in jerks, the better; they feed on conflict.

[One Taste]

29. Which suburb do you live in?

if you don't mind me asking.


I only ask because that sounds a whole lot like the Pittsburgh suburb I live in, and I'm about to put a Kerry sticker on my car. :scared:

[AngryLizard]

30. I was in Dallas Fort-Worth Airport Last Night

And since my plane was delayed, I pulled out my laptop -- the one with the huge "John Kerry for President" sticker on it -- and went on line. This guy kept walking past me and shaking his head in disbelief. I just smiled back at him and mentally DARED him to say something to me.

Like you say, there are two people running, and you're either for one or the other. And if you don't like what my sticker says, don't vote for the guy.

I seriously fear for this country.