|
Ask
Auntie Pinko
August
16, 2001
Dear Auntie Pinko,
I come from a die-hard Republican family. As I was growing
up, I went along with the label. However, I have come to realize
that my ideals belong in the Democrat party. Now how do I
tell my family this without them disowning me?
Sarah,
Detroit, MI
Dear Sarah,
Yes, it's easy to see that you were raised by Republicans.
Their belief that the end justifies the means extends even
to the English language, where they have placed the dubious
value of propaganda above correct usage. You might let them
know, at some point, (hopefully without embarrassing them
too much, after all they are your family,) that "Democrat"
is a noun, and "Democratic" is an adjective, and the appropriate
modifier for the noun "party." You wouldn't call the GOP the
"Republic" party, would you?
Of course not. It would make you sound as silly and poorly-educated
as the Republicans who attempt to deprive us of our proud
"Democratic" identity.
Now, on to your little family problem.
Auntie Pinko certainly hopes that your family values loving
and caring for one another above approving of your personal
choices as to lifestyle, religion, or political beliefs. I
was fortunate enough to be raised thus, and although on the
one occasion I admitted to voting for a Republican my family
expressed considerable disbelief and disapproval, we didn't
allow it to spoil our family gatherings and celebrations.
Nor did we permit the cousin who married a Republican and
raised a family of corporate lawyers to ever feel less than
loved and valued. Their unfortunate lifestyle choices, while
morally reprehensible by the standards we were all raised
with, belong to them alone as responsible adults, and we support
their freedom of choice even while we deplore how they exercise
that freedom.
Of course, we're Democrats.
You're in a slightly different pickle. I trust that your
family will tender you the love that is integral to a family,
and the respect that your considered choice merits - after
all, the Republicans claim to be the party of "individual
rights and responsibilities," even if many are poor exemplars
thereof, at best. However, if they do, indeed, "disown" you,
remember that their substandard behavior need not govern your
response. I suggest that you continue to express your love
and respect for them, avoid being provoked into childish confrontations,
explain your choices (if challenged) calmly and rationally,
and extend to them the treatment you wish that they could
extend to you.
It's the Democratic Way.
Thank you for writing to Auntie Pinko!
View Auntie's Archive
Do
you have a question for Auntie Pinko?
Do political discussions discombobulate you? Are you a liberal
at a loss for words when those darned dittoheads babble their
endless rhetoric at you? Or are you a conservative who just
can't understand those pesky liberals and their silliness?
Auntie Pinko has an answer for everything! So ask away!
|
