Reply #6: I've been tempted to do the same, but the humanity of my friends ends up trumping everything else.

[abq e streeter]

But I really do think of this same thing from time to time, and I have tried as hard as possible to not add any more repubs to my life beyond what I have already ( only a few, and that's not by accident). I don't talk politics with any of em any more; no point to it, except on the rare occasion when I sense a glimmer of open-mindedness ( my Christian conservative friend who agreed to watch Sicko , against the "warnings" of her repub friends. I respect that she did that, even though she will never connect the dots between what she genuinely learned from watching it, and all her other beliefs. she's, needless to say, pretty uninformed generally, like almost all the rest of em).I understand where you're coming from, I really do, and used to mock their beliefs, but they're irrational, or else they wouldn't have those beliefs in the first place, and mocking em just seems to make em more fiercely defensive of their irrational belief system. But I just don't think it's practical, especially business contacts, co-workers... although I will say this, beyond a band that does a reunion show once a year, that contains 2 Christian repubs among the 11 members ( 3 female singers, horn section etc), my intent is to never knowingly make music with repubs again either, except as a hired gun and not actually being a part of the band...I will NEVER again actually be IN A BAND with a repub. And I have no intention of adding a single solitary repub to my life beyond those few that were friends before they joined the dark side or before I realized it. I can't say that you're wrong; I just don't think it would accomplish anything except making you feel better about making a stand and not compromising in any area of your life, which I respect.