I feel so bad for my Republican neighbors. I really do.

[SmileyRose]

I go once a week to sing in a large Metro Atlanta choir. Nearly everyone in the group is upper middle class and either Republican or right leaning. There are only a couple of us who are unabashed liberals. During the primaries we tried very hard to leave politics out of it - the few forays we had turned ugly - thanks to just 3 complete RW nutjobs in the group.

But now the economy is always a topic of discussion. As far as I can tell, in Atlanta, people with advanced degrees and/or larger incomes are disproportionately represented amongst the unemployed here. (not to say those of us with HS only or no 4 yr degree aren't affected) -- So the conversation nearly always ends up to the state of retirement savings, the credit crunch, job loss.

I try to feel bad for the stresses and struggles wealthy Republicans have now. I really do. These are people after all, my neighbors, some mere acquaintances, some a little more and some outright friends. But it's getting harder and harder to bite my tongue when these conversations come up.

They were rolling in money and surpluses with Bill Clinton, who didn't serve me and mine very well, but certainly served the wealthier folks very well. But no, that wasn't good enough because he had a "D" next to his name and got a blow job - he was a usurper - an evil librul - because RushHannity said so. And most of them backed Bush full on and still do. They sit there and they say "I don't know who's at fault" -- Yes they do. This is the pile of shit you get when you put predators in charge of your money -- Dumbasses. Wake up and smell the fucking coffee.

But I don't say any of that - not to their faces - because no one - not even a Republican deserves to be shit on. In the end, they are just people trying to get through life without hurting anyone the best they can. Most of them anyway. They may be misguided, or clueless by choice in some respects, but most of my struggling neighbors are not bad people. And even they do not deserve what BushCo heaped on them.

I wish - I dearly deeply wish - I could find a way to help my Republican neighbors see that what's good for the masses is good for the rich people too. It's not us V them. It's predators vs everyone else.

[BeFree]

1. Just wait

Like they have shit on all those under them; if things get worse they'll be shitting on you, too.

Like they shit on Iraq, and the blacks, the gays, and the ferners. Just wait.

[marybourg]

2. You must be a very nice person.

If someone who voted for the WPE said to me: "I don't know who's to blame", I would have asked them if they were reallly sure about that. Of course, I never lived in Georgia. We who were raised in N.Y. are not quite so nice.

[Thirtieschild]

3. East Cobb? North Fulton?

You are a nice person with a good heart. I'm afraid I'm not that nice. In my heart of hearts I believe they brought it on themselves, they're paying now for their selfish votes. Unfortunately, the rest of us are paying too. I see their support of BushCo not as misguided but as a moral issue.

[SmileyRose]

7. I'm south side, but most members are north, yes

They are paying for their selfish votes along with the rest of us. Though I really think quite many of these really honestly believe deep in their hearts that it was their own personal hard work and good choices that got them to their previous economic level - now that it's all gone to shit they realize they are just pawns like everyone else and just mentally can't make the leap after a lifetime of ingrained beliefs.

[Fumesucker]

35. "they realize they are just pawns like everyone else"

Bingo.. That's a bitter lesson to learn after thinking you are the captain of your own fate for all your life.

To those of us who have known all along we were pawns it is just part of life, to the elite is utterly disorienting.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

4. I don't feel sorry for Republicans, but I do agree that they're stupid dumbasses

Not all of them tho. The mega-rich Repukes are not stupid dumbasses. They're clever and plot quite nicely.

[immoderate]

5. They are avaricious assholes -- so what if they do it with a smile?

They did it to themselves and they did it to you. Remind them.

--imm

[pretzel4gore]

6. propaganda works...

the brain-dead fascists who are such a big part of western society were taught to be goofs via tens of millions of dollars spent giving them what they needed to believe all that self serving reactionary rightwing bushit. 'Nothing fails like success when working for the devil' and notice junyer bush, and the criminals in thong underthings are getting away ....but they must make sure the great wet blanket of reactionary lies is totally covering up the truth, er else they...well they'll be hunted down like rabid dogs;)
Good for them!
When the lie becomes too costly to maintain, they'll tear themselves apart explaining why they, in effect, raped/murdered their own children.....lol

[lunatica]

8. When it comes to politics and money there are two kinds of people

It boils down to one thing. When someone makes a decision about what to do what do they base their choice on? Invariably a Republican will make the choice that benefits him/her first. Even if the choice hurts others. Their question, when asking themselves what to do is, "What do I want?"

On the other hand the other type of person will always consider what is best for all involved. The question they ask themselves is, "What is best?". Democrats tend to do this kind of decision making.

Think about it. It really is that simple. That's why Republicans think social programs are bad. Because they're for everyone and they really are based on what's best. Republicans only want what they can get personally and that which makes them superior. It's what they want that counts because then they can have it all and not have to share it which happens when it's done for the best.

[absyntheminded]

16. I think

you pretty much wrapped that up in a nutshell - good call

[jaysunb]

18. Well said...I couldn't agree more.

:thumbsup:

[lildreamer316]

26. Wish I could nominate this reply.

Very well said.

[SmileyRose]

28. I wish you were wrong, but I think you are right.

Nearly all the Republicans I know are convinced they got what they have by their own personal hard work and good choices and the rest of us are just too lazy or too stupid to be as successful as they are. They may not say so overtly, but their personal superiority is how they feel deep in the pit of who they are.

I think it's why I get so frustrated. The economic laws and policies are tilted in their favor. As soon as someone comes along that wants to tilt things just the littlest bit back toward the center there's screaming and gnashing of teeth about "welfare".

And now they they have learned they are mere peons like the rest of us lazy idiots who can't be bothered to be as successful as they are - they shake their heads and wonder who's to blame. But the thing is, a lot of these people really are well meaning. They honestly truly think that the slums and trailer parks would be eradicated if the people who live there would just stop taking drugs, squirting out fatherless kids, do their homework, and work a little harder.

I don't want to tell them they are selfish jerks. I'm watching them trashing around in pain, financially and mentally, and I see this as an opportunity to get message into their heads - so pissing them off is not what I want. I just am struggling with where to start.

[lunatica]

29. People learn at their own pace, but they do learn

Your friends and neighbors are going through hard times and they're scared. That's because they have lost that control they thought they had. They've lost that excuse they had when they said you and me and the poor are just lazy. Because now it's happening to them and their comfortable sense of superiority is proving to be false and baseless. Pain and fear and loss are the great teachers because they hit you where you think you have control. Without even knowing it they're actually becoming much more sympathetic and humane.

It won't be until after they've learned to be sympathetic for the plight of others that they will understand their role and Bush's role in all this. They still need to learn to care for others who are not like them before they'll be mature enough to see how they helped create the situation.

Nothing is hopeless as far as people being able to learn through experience.

[Mr Rabble]

41. The irony of people from Cobb County screaming about welfare...

Cobb County gets more federal "subsidy" than any other suburban county. Since the areas major employers are defense contractors this should be obvious...

[BR_Parkway]

9. I'd agree with them - I'm not sure who's to blame either

The Republican President who lied us into a war which has wasted trillions

The Republican Phil Gramm who pushed to get the laws repealed that kept this from happening since Republican Depression #1

The Republican controlled Congress who fed at the financial firms lobbyist trough and did their bidding like the whores they've become

The current Republicans in Congress who would rather find ways to hamper Obama for political points in rebuilding what their party left in tatters on so many fronts rather than work with him

The dumbass Republican voters who never would listen and learn the facts vs the propoganda and kept voting against their own interests

Or maybe today's Republicans who just "don't know who's fault it is" while most of them are enjoying the Tax Cut Obama and the Democrats gave them, the extended unemployment checks Obama and the Democrats gave them, the improved access to affordable health care while unemployed Obama and the Democrats gave them, the money being poured back into the economy to try to salvage and create jobs that they might once again enjoy that Obama and the Democrats gave them, the long term environmental benefits that Obama and the Democrats gave them by some of their recent legislation or executive order, the chance to have America's honor restored at home and abroad that Obama and the Democrats are working to give them

My vote for who's at fault are the same ones you're talking about - the enablers. If they had been willing to think about their country instead of just their party - they would have stood with us more often and prevented most of the other crap from happening. But no, they wanted to be good little soldiers and automatically denigrate anything we said because OxyRush and InSannity told them to instead of thinking for themselves.

They are at fault, they are a disgrace to the nation just as much as Bush and Cheney - they are failures at being citizens - and the blame is theirs to suffer with. And you're not being nice to them by not telling them - any more than that parent who lets their 3 year old rule with tantrums is being a good parent.

[SmileyRose]

10. Yours is very good food for thought and I thank you.

It is eating away at me being quiet - and you have given me some ideas on how to tell them about themselves in a way that's not necessarily an invite for a pointless angerfilled shouting match.

Thank you!

[G_j]

11. after everything that has gone down, if people still don't get it

they are probably beyond hope.

[absyntheminded]

12. Nice post

Perhaps I'll get flamed, just nice to hear something a bit compassionate this AM.
Eh, a couple hours from now, and a bottle of vodka, I'll be on the bashing bandwagon gain.
CHEERS!!!

[absyntheminded]

14. The downside

....is the other side knows nothing about compassion (I know i left the "a" off "again" - first bottle)

[Joanne98]

13. They need their taxes raised.

[Geek_Girl]

15. I disagree

They deserve it especially if they still can't admit that they got Fucked over by the GOP. Just about everyone in the world is being effected in a very negative way because of Bushco Policies. And these poor clueless folks that you speak of are responsible for putting these Jackasses in office.

If they can't even see what kind of terrible mess they unleashed on the entire planet then I can't feel sorry for them.

[absyntheminded]

17. Not to change the subject but....

but I like it here. Don't post much - mainly watch/read. I like the thought processes that go on here.

Is that one of the hugh differences, we put a bit of analytical thought into things before we act (and think of others), they (the right) just knee jerk re-act

[chimpyisstillsatan]

19. Life lessons in Buckhead

I felt for them when they were spitting in my face and calling me a Saddam Appeaser, and when they threw shit at my car in October 2001 (the car driving 65 on the highway with my kids strapped in carseats) for my "war is not the answer" bumpersticker. I felt sorry and forgave them when they waved guns at me on that overpass in Indiana (for holding a "No Iraq War" sign), and when they called me into their offices to tell me my anti-war stance "wasn't helping my career." I even forgave them when they made up bullshit excuses to fire me for my outspokenness.

I felt sorry for them when they stood on street corners hating my gay brothers and sisters. I have felt empathy and sorrow for them and their long-suffering victims for years and years. At some point, however, I started to think "Fuck them, karma's a bitch." Then I realized I was sinking to their level.

Keep being empathetic, keep loving your enemies as yourself. But remember, nonviolence is not a suicide pact, and that every moment is an opportunity for education. Them silver spoon Buckhead morons could use 'em some learnin', so lay it on 'em.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

22. I agree with you--compassion doesn't always equal kindly silence

Sometimes, the kindest thing to do is confront ignorance. And anger doesn't automatically equal cruelty.

By way of example, don't we all admire Obama, Rachel Maddow, and others when they skillfully debunk wingnutism with intelligence and objectivity? Information is not hard heartedness.

I wish I could respond to these idiots, but I'm not able to gather my facts when talking, especially when confronted with all-encompassing immoral ignorance. Once in a while a conversation will come up that I can get my logical ducks in a row, but if feels like more often, I just can't remember what I know, can't remember where I heard something, can't remember the key consideration that I read about from some reputable source... and then I get upset with myself.

anyway, that was a tangent....

I hate seeing the bullying you've been subjected to. Bullies deserve every ounce of karma they get. My contribution to their karmic retribution is cutting them out of my life, no apologies (from me) necessary.

[absyntheminded]

37. here, here

[BlancheSplanchnik]

40. thanks absynthe

and, warm welcomes to you!

(and, I just realized a big part of why I lose the ability to speak coherently to rw bullies. It's because they tend to scream and control with their anger, something which scares me and shuts my brain down.)

[david13]

20. I do not feel sorry for them. n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

21. Neither do I and they do deserve too be shit on. They didn't care about the suffering of anyone

else while they were raking in the big bucks. Karma baby!

[Kansas Wyatt]

23. The republicans don't deserve to be shit on???

The Hell they don't! They deserve to be shit on most of all, because these fucking assholes are the ones who put this whole mess into action to begin with.

They are the ones who voted FOR it, and they are the ones who still won't admit "who" is to blame, so they are still endorsing the very actions that are harming them too now. Republicans get no fucking sympathy from me, until they pull their heads out of their asses, acknowledge that all classes can do well at the SAME time, and start working to better those beneath them as well.

[Creena]

25. That's how I am with my neighbors

The yell insults at me, use derogatory language towards the gay couple two doors down, had pumpkin with carved into Obama's face and a knife going through it for Halloween, consider Fox News and Limbaugh to be the complete truth, Freeper members...you get the picture. They like to consider themselves the pinnacle of decency, morality and virtue, but hearing the porno blaring on the computer and ill-fated attempts at back door entrance just proves they're hypocritical sheeple. I finally asked them for advanced warning so I could at least charge admission and make some cash in this economy.

I offered to take their tax refund since they were so thrilled about attending the local tea party, but they're evidently keeping the check. Interesting how that works, eh? They also didn't have an answer to why those who will be affected by the new taxes are the ones actually pushing the tea parties. So, yeah, I have no sympathy for them at all. And, since I know they lurk here...hi, assholes!

[ejpoeta]

24. you get the government you deserve. and they got the results of that government.

if they don't want to actually find out information for themselves, instead relying on limbaugh and o'rielly an faux news... I have family members that whine about the economy and in the same breath about the dems and how bad their ideas are. well, whose ideas got us where we are today?? oh, but the DEMS were in control since 2006. were they really?? because as far as i can recall, didn't bush veto a lot of crap since 2006?? i hold the dems at fault for some of this mess. they were there and said NOTHING!!! but while complicit, they did not give all those tax cuts that turned our SURPLUS into negative numbers. Negative numbers that no one seemed to be so worried about until a democrat became president. Then we cared. THEN we were worried about deficits. How much money have we wasted in Iraq. a war we should have never gotten involved in. And don't give me any of that crap about what people knew then.... they friggin damn well KNEW that iraq had nothing to do with 911 and that their intelligence was BS. so that is a load of baloney!!

the rich get richer and the rest of us don't. but there are those among us who seem to think that they are higher on that food chain than they really are. they think that when the middle class is gone they will miraculously end up on the other side of that schism. but they'll be down in the shit heap like the rest of us. They gladly take their unemployment and their medicaire and their social security and any other help they get. and never see the irony of their complaining about socialism and big government. if it weren't for that big government, we would not have FDIC protection for our bank accounts. imagine how much more money would have been lost by now!! it's crazy!

[sendero]

27. As I've said here many times....

... 3/4s or more of the wingnut fools whining about socialism right now will be begging for some socialism in a couple of years.

[ejpoeta]

33. or complaining that they don't qualify for it now. there are those who

may have just lost their jobs who need help, but don't qualify to get any. that will make them even worse, because they already see the 'lazy' white trash or illegals taking all the welfare!! it is really insane though how the social services work. they think it's just a walk in the park, but you have to jump through all kinds of hoops to get any help. and in NY at least, if you get any cash assistance (i hope they don't do it with food stamps too) but you have to go WORK for it. you have to look for a job AND you have to go work like picking up trash or whatever.

they don't care if you can't afford daycare either. there is daycare assistance, but my sister told me there is a three year waiting list for that. So, someone like me, who could only get a minimum wage job would basically be working to pay the sitter. i know. i've done it before. I stay at home partly because it is not economically feasable to go to work. That's why i laugh when my family starts railing about welfare and all those lazy welfare queens sitting on their asses getting welfare. i calmly tell them that they must mean me then, because even though i do not get it now, i did get food stamps. i was on medicaid and so was my one daughter. so they must mean me. they sputter and i can see their mind doing pretzels trying to figure out how it's different. because believe me, when they tell me it's different for me i immediately ask them how it is different. i was not married when i was on assistance. i had a child and was not married and got assistance. granted, i lived with my boyfriend who was also the father of our child, but so what. it's amazing how they can somehow try to figure out how my getting help is different from all the other people out there.

[saltpoint]

30. While I don't know your neighbors I am nevertheless familiar with the GOP

they belong to and I don't like it much.

They can start their road to enlightenment by renouncing their affiliation with political entities that subvert democracy.

[CurtEastPoint]

31. In E. Point, I had an encounter w/my lesbian GOP neighbor. She disparaged Obama and I said...

"What is it with lesbian Republicans?" She said---oh, so tellingly--- 'I guess we don't have that nurturing nature.' In hindsight, I should have said, 'Yep. That says it all. Your philosophy is 'I got mine so fuck you.'

Seriously, I have a hard time with fellow gay people being fucking Republicans. How self-hating is THAT?

[SmileyRose]

32. Wait

lesbians are allowed to live in East point? I thought that's what midtown was for! LOL :P

[CurtEastPoint]

36. Oh, honey, PLEASE! We are legion here... G/L/B/not sure about T!

[BlooInBloo]

34. I don't.

[Dora]

38. "trying to get through life without hurting anyone"

That's not so true of the Republicans I know. It's me, mine, my tribe (yes, tribe), no outsiders, no differences, no tolerance.

[butterfly77]

39. Kick &Recommended!

There are some damn good post here..