Reply #16: This reminds me of a story.

[Longhorn]

I had Thanksgiving at my house about 15 years ago and since my family all lives about three hours away, many were staying for the entire weekend. My sister and the first of her three husbands, along with their two children, left Thanksgiving night. Since everyone was traveling, I did the entire dinner myself and I cooked in large quantities to have enough for the dinner and leftovers for the houseguests afterwards. As she was getting ready to leave, my sister had the nerve to ask me if she could have some of my leftovers because "it just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without leftover turkey and pumpkin pie." As politely as I could, I explained to her that I couldn't spare any of the leftovers since I was counting on them to help feed the houseguests for the rest of the weekend. She actually got offended!

Had she actually brought any food, I would have expected her to take her leftovers with her. Even if I wasn't having houseguests, we were a family of six and would have had no trouble using up the leftovers that WE bought and prepared! When I bring food to a potluck meal, I wouldn't dream of asking for my leftovers back, though I will accept them if they are offered and I think we can use them.

Need I add that she (and the rest of my family) are Republicans? Do you suppose that has anything to do with such a "me-first" attitude?