My 1000th post!

[Heyo]

Hey all my liberal friends.. :9

I didn't even realize I was at 1000, until somebody told me I was at 999. (Thanks JoFerret :toast:)

I know most of you probably don't know me, maybe some do.. if you do it's most likely from discussing topics other than politics.

For those who don't, I will use the rare 1000th post to explain a little about myself.

I'm not really into labels But, I am, and always have been what most you on DU would consider a conservative. Now let me just say that I am not a ill-meaning "troll," or anything like that, not a Freeper (I don't post there, maybe read sometimes but they are too heavily religious fundie for me).... nor I am one of the blind Hannity-quoting Bush worshipers. I try to ignore party lines as if they weren't there and think about issues one at a time. I am probably the most right-leaning person on DU who hasn't been banned. I have never misrepresented myself as a liberal, have always been honest but not too outspoken, and I usually just keep a low profile and don't discuss politics much. (not wanting to get axed)

I am of the opinion that people who hold different beliefs are just that.. people who hold different beliefs, and *most* are good people deep down. I always respect the fact that this is ya'lls board, but if it's all the same to you, I hope you will let me stay.

If I had to label myself, I would probably lean toward saying I'm mostly libertarian, but not pure libertarian, and I am liberal on some issues like being *somewhat* pro-choice, for legalization of drugs, don't really see anything wrong with gay marriage really, etc.... Overall, though, I have a feeling most of you would say I'm pretty far to the right, and I've sure been flamed a few times. But, I am always open to a good discussion, but I usually don't start it up because I worry that someone will come along and ban me, and I kind of like DU.

I have an open mind and I have to say that even when I did sort of argue some right-leaning points of view, mostly what I got was respect from DUers, with a few exceptions. I try to give it back in kind. (the respect part I mean)

So anyway, I hate to write this long post to go on about me, but I figure my 1000th post is the one time I will do that.

Hopefully I will still have a DU screen name in the morning, I suppose I will since none of this is new information, I am just going on and on about it on my 1000th post. :P

...keep an open mind, so that Heyo may live. :dunce:

regards all,

Heyo

[Droopy]

1. Congrats, Heyo

I hope you'll be voting for Kerry. ;)

I have a relatively conservative family. Their independents, but they lean right. Their very nice people, they just have a hard time voting for Dems because they think they'll raise their taxes and take their guns away. I'm currently in the middle of trying to get two of them to vote for Kerry. I've successfully sold one person on it, my mom. She voted for Reagan, Perot and Bush so this is a really new thing for her. She still thinks Kerry will raise her taxes (which is unfounded because she's middle class), but she's so pissed off at Bush over other issues that it over-rides that fear. I hope you to have issues with Bush too and will join us in throwing him out of the White House this election.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

2. Congrats Heyo !

[AwakeAtLast]

3. Congrats, and good use of your 1K!

I found your words refreshing to read. I don't label myself quite like you, but I am glad that there are people who think differently than me. Good debate is always better than mind-numbing affirmations.

Cheers to you!

:toast: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :toast:

[VOX]

4. Heyo, I'm a deep-dish liberal, and I have the greatest respect for you...

If all conservatives had your civility, curiousity and good temperament, perhaps we could find our way toward healing this deeply divided country.

Keep on posting, and keep thinking for yourself!

Best to you -- :toast:

[Heyo]

5. Thanks everyone....

"If all conservatives had your civility, curiousity and good temperament, perhaps we could find our way toward healing this deeply divided country."

I really have to agree with a certain sentiment you touch on... that somehow eventually we can find some common ground....

If you ask most Americans to describe, in the most general of terms, what they would want for America, no matter what side of the political spectrum they are on, many will say a lot of the the same things.. "fair chance for everyone, peace and security for everyone, human rights, personal freedom, etc......"

I think where the deep divide occurs is in what route we should or should not take to move America closer to that ultimate goal....

The parties may squable on individual issues, but the big picture on either side, surprisingly, is not all that different that I have seen. The firestorm in the country today is because we concentrate so hard on our differences. A lot of people have been forgetting the old saying "a house divided against itself cannot stand." Nobody will ever be perfect, and two people will ever agree on everything.

We might not be as far from where we want to go as people might think, but I believe the answer lies in the hearts and minds of regular people like you and me, and not government.

regards all,
Heyo

[Meshuga]

6. Congratulations

I'm getting there myself I realized.

[bigwillq]

7. Congrats on 1,000!

You made very good use of this milestone post!