Reply #59: well, then

[buckettgirl]

I know that stereotypes will always be thrown around on both sides, and I certainly am not going to stop them. However, some of the generalizations made here aren't right... Many of the people that I know, work with, take care of, and live amongst ARE decent, honest, give-the-shirt-off-their-back kind of people. They are trustworthy and loyal. And they most certainly are not evil, greedy, or have ulterior motives for anything. Perhaps all they are guilty of is following the herd, being sheeple, being uninformed. But like I said, They don't think they are uninformed.
I do my best to tackle the political issues and create awareness in ways that won't wreck my friendships... I might have differing views, but I certainly am not going ruin lifelong friendships just because of it. I can provide those around me with all the knowledge I have, but I can't make them believe it or act on it. As a nurse, that is something that is faced regularly when teaching patients abouth health promotion and prevention - you can give them all the teaching in the world, but you can't make them do a damned thing with it. It is very frustrating - I have learned to have much patience in these situations.

As liberals, we ought to be open-minded, tolerant, and accepting of other individuals. Just as we would not discriminate against race, gender, sexual orientation, or handicap; we should at the very least recognize that most people are good, honest people no matter their political affiliation. I think it is sad that there are people here at DU who would discriminate against all of these people because of the true greedy, corrupt, power-loving, fascist assholes who have taken over this country... Those who do that have very much devalued the strength of their character in my eyes. I do think that we are better people than to resort to name-calling and stereotyping.

That being said... I am liberal, college educated, redneck, country music loving, Pagan woman. I try to live my life as a generous, caring, compassionate, open-minded, accepting, non-judgmental person (but certainly I am not perfect, and tend to have a critical side that I keep under wraps). I am not telling anyone to unite with republicans... but good god, have a little compassion for all your fellow humans - not just the select few who you feel "deserve" it.