I have a Republican nephew.

[No Elephants]

My entire family, parents, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, niece and nephew are all Democrats. I don't think all of them even know why they are. Their parents were, so, by gum, they are as well. In all that, there is one exception, a nephew, my sister's firstborn.

My sister, his mom, is quite a bit older than I. I was 15 when he was born. I fell in love with him forever the first time I clapped eyes on him, on the first day he spent on this earth. He is such a decent human being, it is impossible to praise his morals and ethics enough.

And crazy smart, too. A history buff, too.

But, somehow, in our midst, he became a Republican. I don't argue politics with him, or he with me. We are just Auntie and nephew. I could not possibly love him more if he were a Democrat. However, I was puzzled how he turned out Republican. He told me that he had noticed that Democrats talk about the poor in general, but will ignore a neighbor in need. I have no clue why he thinks that, except maybe that he observed something of that in his mom or Dad. Also, if you really believe that, it seems to me to be a good reason to have a Republican neighbor, not to have a Republian government.

The crash of 2008 hit him very hard--almost lost his home--far under water. But, I think he is back on his feet now, working a full time and a part time job. His wife, who used to do some catering out of their home, now also has a full time job as well. So, in essence, they went from a 1.5 or less job family to a family of two full time and two part time jobs. And never a complaint, just glad they pulled the fat out of the fire. I could not be prouder of them both or more impressed by them.

They wanted to come visit Boston with their only child and see all the historical places; and I was beyond thrilled.

After a lot of wringling, they were both able to free up Monday of Columbus Day week end.

But, guess what? His party shut down the government. A lot of sites in Boston are operated by the Navy (the USS Constitution and the USS Constitution Museum) or the federal government (e.g., Bunker Hill).

I am not gloating. I want him to have a great time and see everything. No one deserves it more. I am so furious at his party, though. I wonder if he is as well?


Oh well, at least Paul Revere's house and Old North Church will be open. The Church has always been open to visitors and Paul Revere's House was rescued by a group of his descendants.

Will he get mad at his party too, or will he see this as proof that the private sector functions better than the government?

I don't know. I just feel so bad for him. This is one of the first treats they've allowed themselves in years. I could spit.

[Enthusiast]

1. You will probably find

that your intelligent nephew, like most Republicans, justify the action of the party believing that the President is somehow at fault for not agreeing to go along with the drive to neuter Obamacare. Studies have found that one has a tendency to believe their side's propaganda whether or not it is founded in reality.

[No Elephants]

2. And US government may now legally propagandize Americans.

Guess I am just too stubborn to believe any of the traditional "sides."

Obama was willing--nay, eager--to cut anything but Obamacare and "defense;" and he began doing that with the first or second budget that he sent Congress, wherein he cut fuel subsidies to poor people.

I remember Austan Goolsbee's trying to lie to John Stewart that Obama had done that because oil prices had gone down. Stewart caught him by pointing out that, while prices of oil had gone down, prices of home heating fuel had gone up and the cut was to subsidies for the latter. (Of course, what both of them missed is that everyone does not heat his or home with oil to begin with. Gas and electric are the sources for many.)

And, I believe chained CPI is already in the budget that Obama sent Congress. And no,that was not a "cave" or a concession.

Anyway, to hell with all of them.

As far as my nephew, his political litmus test apparently was how Republicans who are not politicians treat their friends and neighbors (in his perception). As I said, that is a great litmus test for deciding who you want to live among, not who you want to run government. But, on that, too, my comments would apply to Democrats and Republicans.

I think I may be starting to see the logic of anarchy.