We are family.

[Atticus]

We are young and old, male and female, all different colors and sizes.

Some of us are wealthy; some of us "don't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of."

We worship differently or not at all.

Some of us are straight; some are gay; some are bisexual or transexual. Some don't "do" sex.

Some us are pleasant and easy-going; some of us are high-strung jerks.

But, we are "family".

We are people who self-describe as Democrats or liberals or progressives. We favor people over corporations, peace over war, tolerance over intolerance and would choose to be loved rather than wealthy if we really had to make the choice. We believe we ARE our brother's keeper and our sister's, too.

And, if we will calm down and think about it, we know that, while we may differ with others in our family, we basically all want most of the same things for ourselves, our children and our nation.

Families---strong successful families, anyway---stand together. Against the world, if necessary. Once the world has been sent packing and the danger has passed, we may yell and scream and point fingers at each other. But, then, we will heal and reflect and make plans to become better.

I know there are some who will criticize the tone and the substance of this post. So be it. If you are on this board and you are not a troll, you are family. Piss on me all you want, but work to support your local progressives, VOTE Democratic on November 2nd and take five friends with you.

[applegrove]

1. Great post!

[guruoo]

2. k&r nt

[MadHound]

3. Yes, quite the dysfunctional one,

It would be nice if that situation could be peacefully remedied, but somehow, for a number of reasons, I doubt that.

[leftstreet]

4. No offense, but I just hate the 'family' reference. We're citizens n/t

[Fumesucker]

5. I don't know five other people that would vote Democratic..

I know one for sure and another three possibles..

When you live in a red area of a red state and you have a few friends you'd like to keep it's best to avoid discussing politics, I lost enough friends and even some family during the Bush caudillo I can't afford to lose any more.

I come to DU to discuss politics, I no longer do so IRL, it has proven too expensive in terms of relationships lost.

[Atticus]

6. I sympathize and empathize. I also live in a very red area. How about we take 5 Republicans to

"vote" at a friend's house or a bait shop or a seedy bar?

[demmiblue]

7. A few kind words would help this family member:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9218548