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Pick a cause to support; BBV, think tanks, federalist society for us, whatever. But in addition, adopt a republican. Hear me out.
Today might not be the day. Too cold, too raw, too mad, too sad. But when the anxiety level goes down a bit, find someone, better still a few people who disagree with you on religion and/or politics.
Find some common ground. That would be the way to pick them. There are three people in my office who are religious and republican. Two of them I dealy love. One I might could like if I gave her a chance. The rest of the religious republicans I don't think I could be friends with but these three I could.
Your mission is to show them, through your friendship, that we are not the monsters as portrayed in the media or their churches. That we are decent, caring people. Do NOT talk politics or religion. It is possible later on, if you truly become friends that you can. But I doubt it. If they try to talk about it tell them: we don't agree about politics and/or religion and if we talk about it I'm afraid it will ruin our relationship. Let's agree not to talk about it.
Find common ground. Your job is not to convert them. Your job is to make them think twice when Karl Rove tries to make liberals or gays or atheists evil. You want them to say: "my friend is gay (or liberal and/or atheist) and she is a decent person."
If we don't, we will continue to let them define us. We need to stop Bowling Alone (read the book or at least a review of it). We can heal this country.
If you ask Americans: should abortion be illegal in all cases only 9% think so. Some other fun statistics to remember:
Only 29% of Americans think America is a Christian nation. 54% think promoting religion always harms rights. 80% think big companies have too much influence on government. only 36% think government regulations go to far, 59% say not far enough 61% think corruption in business is widespread Only 20% thought tax cuts were the right thing to do with the surplus, 56% thought the tax cuts would harm their family's situation. 65% think federal spending on education should be increased. 66% would be willing to increase their taxes to help inner city schools. 62% think the government should do more to protect the environment. (other good stats in Reason by Robert Reich.)
We are NOT as conservative as they want you to believe. We are a liberal nation. We just don't all know it.
Join the take a republican to lunch club.
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