My personal story

[Colobo]

In my case, this is how it went:

1) I moved to the US from Puerto Rico in 2001 (I was 17), and knew little about American politics, even though I supported statehood for Puerto Rico (and I still do). I was very involved in Puerto Rican politics as a high school student, though.

2) In Puerto Rico, the statehood movement has been historically related, until recently (the last 2 pro-statehood governors have been Democratic), to the Republican Party. The Bush family has strong ties with the old guard of the NPP (Puerto Rican pro-statehood party). So, Republicans=Statehood Friendly has been part of the pro-statehood mantra down there for many, many years.

3) Republican image of the "All-American party": As soon as I moved and entered college, one of my "adaptation crises" was to fit. Being Puerto Rican (and a black one, by the way), I felt I had to prove I could be as "American" as anyone else; that Puerto Ricans could be good members of this society. I felt I had a personal responsibility of "selling Puerto Rican statehood" to everyone I met. I joined the Republican Party because I thought that, apart of suppossedly being statehood friendly, it would make a point of me being as "American" as anyone else. Sad, isn't it?

That made me be a Republican for several years, even though I cringed everytime I listened to Hannity and Limbaugh (as my Republican friends told me to). After all, they "represented" the "true American values" of "hard work" and "personal responsibility" that most minorities, except for the "intelligent, thinking" ones, "do not cherish". Yes, I was sucking up to what I thought was the average American; I wanted to show every person I met that I, and every Puerto Rican in the island, was worthy of being called an "American". Being a Republican even when I felt that many of the things they said didn't make much sense unless you were a greedy, rich and unconsciously (or consciously) racist individual was something I struggled with.

In '04, I felt that was my moment to prove myself. Me voting for the war time Republican president: a patriotic duty. My friends convinced me to go see him live when he came down here. I did, and I felt like a mosquito in a glass of milk. A concentration of pseudo-patriotic, flag waving, "librul-hating" individuals waiting anxiously to hear what a bumbling president had to say about the "flip-flopper", the "liberation" of the country that didn't asked to be "liberated" (needless to say the WMDs that were never there in the first place)... I could not believe I was there, dealing with the stares of many individuals who probably were asking themselves "What the hell is that black guy with a Mexican accent doing here?".

I got to hear Bush, and felt ashamed of myself for being there, wasting my time watching and listening his complete act. Because that is what he is: an act. The "simple guy" act. The guy is not what he projects. He knew what he was doing then, and he knows what he is doing now. Evidence? He got the approval and cheer of a mass of people who could not even explain coherently why Kerry was not worthy of their vote.

Still, in November of 04, I voted for Bush, knowing I was going to regret it forever.

And then his second term started, and I couldn't take his dishonesty anymore. I had no excuses now: I knew what him and most of his party were all about. I had been one of them, or tried to be. It didn't work, because my sense of humanity doesn't let me embrace the values of greed and social oppression most of those fellows embrace with closed eyes and open arms. I had to be intellectually and spiritually honest.

I got my chance of truly being a good American in November 06, and I took it then... and from now on, will never let it pass before my eyes again. I ask for forgiveness, and for a chance...

[Blue_In_AK]

1. Congratulations on "seeing the light"

and welcome to DU.

[rockymountaindem]

2. An interesting post and story

Welcome aboard.

[ceile]

3. Thanks for your story

And welcome to DU! :hi:

[demdiva]

4. What an interesting post

Thank you for sharing your story. Don't worry, we are a very forgiving people. Happy to have you aboard.

[boobooday]

5. Thanks for sharing your story!

Welcome!

:hug:

[deadparrot]

6. Welcome.

:hi:

Glad to have you here. They've sucked a lot of people in...glad you escaped!

[Colobo]

7. Thanks for the love

I truly appreciate it. :)

[Turbineguy]

8. Welcome

and it's never too late to learn something new.

[laylah]

9. A warm and hearty

DU welcome! So glad you have gone for truth! :toast:

Jenn

[TahitiNut]

10. It's far more important to be a "good human being" than a "good American."

Indeed, that's the ONLY thing that's important, imho. Politics is about people ... working with and for people - NOT wealth and NOT power. The latter is a perversion of politics. My suggestion: pay far more attention to WHAT you believe in than WHO you believe in. You are the sole custodian of your own soul - your own conscience. That's a job that'll never be done. It's life-long. That's a job that cannot be outsourced.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Colobo]

11. Thanks for the beautiful words

And you are right: the intellectual and spiritual growth is constant, never ending...

I'm extremely glad to be here, and to be in peace with my heart and mind once again.

[moc]

13. Let me add my welcome.

:hi:

[blm]

12. It's true - there is no coherency to their hatred of the Democrats.

It is because they are FOLLOWERS who cannot think for themselves - so they REPEAT what they hear from those in power who have no respect for them as thinking human beings.

Some have awakened since then to start hearing and seeing for themselves.

Too bad it took a category 5 hurricane and mounting death tolls for them to do that.

[myrna minx]

14. Welcome! Thank you so much for sharing your interesting life

story. We're glad to have you here. :hi: :hug:

[montanto]

15. Its good to hear a story of escape

from that side.:hi: :toast:

[Nimrod2005]

16. Welcome to DU and the reality based world...nt

[lumberjack_jeff]

17. Thanks and welcome to DU!

[porphyrian]

18. Better to be late than a sucker.

;)

[The Backlash Cometh]

19. I don't think Republicans have a clue how much damage they've done

to themselves in the last six years when it comes to cultivating the minority vote. Though I never really associated myself with the Republican party, I did feel like "being an American" and "fitting in" was also a major priority for me. To prove that hispanics were every bit as good as anglo caucasians. But, I did too good a job and heard some horrible things very early on and realized that if they were what American Pie was all about, I wanted nothing to do with being THAT kind of American. It's a little like being a half breed now, but, as my mother use to say, "Es mejor estar sola que mal acompaniada."

Here, you're not alone.

[Straight Shooter]

20. "What the hell is that black guy with a Mexican accent doing here?"

:7

That made me laugh because it rings so true. You were surrounded by a throng of Archie Bunker clones.

You are sooo easily forgiven on DU, because you were struggling with issues that many of us will never walk in those same shoes you had to wear. Like Tahiti Nut said, much better to be a good person than a good American.

Welcome to DU. :hi: :hug:

[puebloknot]

21. It gives hope to all of us...

...to see that people can think things through and *change*!

Very honest and inspiring post!

[democrank]

22. Welcome to DU, Katzenkavalier.

Glad you`re here.

[Maat]

23. I second those well-expressed sentiments!

Welcome to DU, Katzenkavalier. I'm very glad to see you here.

[checks-n-balances]

24. Thanks for several things: for having a brain & a conscience & using them

for changing your vote, for sharing your story, and for joining DU.

As a lifelong Dem, it's a little easy for me because I was born into it. But I, for one, have a lot to learn from those of you who have experienced things from the other side. And I'm sure that's true for many DUers.
:toast:
So welcome aboard and we look forward to hearing much more from you in the future!!
:yourock:

[Lost4words]

35. all be it too damn late! You knew and voted for him anyway!

Un fricking excusable. Un fricking believable!

8643

[rosesaylavee]

25. Welcome!

You will like thinking and expressing your thoughts openly as a Democrat much better than where you were with the Republicans.

[beachmom]

26. Thanks for your story.

I didn't know that the GOP was so big in Puerto Rico and the statehood movement. I think 2004 and the result of it were actually a big deal for the progressive movement. There is a tectonic shift happening and we'll probably know more by '08, on how it all swings out.

Welcome to DU!

[Colobo]

28. Quick facts

-During the Reagan presidency, George Bush Sr. was brought to Puerto Rico by the founder of the New Progressive Party and long time leader of the Republican Party in Puerto Rico, Luis A. Ferré, and then Governor of the island and long time leader of the Democratic Party in Puerto Rico, Carlos Romero-Barceló, to promote the ideal of statehood among Puerto Ricans. Notice how Democratic and Republican members tend to be together in local politics, blurring the ideological differences of both camps.

-In 1989, Bush Sr. was behind the congressional hearings on the issue of Puerto Rican status.

-In 2003, when Ferré died, Pappy Bush flew to the island for the funeral. It has been said the Bush and the Ferré families have been related for more than 35 years.

There are many other things to say... but just to give you an idea...

[Lost-in-FL]

57. More facts... (Loooong article)

This is an old article that is (IMO) pretty complete and will give you an idea of the Puerto Rican-US relationship.

Some people might find this article biased against the USA but believe me, the author is blaming everyone equally like he should. They way I look at it, "it takes two to Tango". I think the article tells it like it is.

http://www.isreview.org/issues/03/Puerto_Rico.shtml

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

27. Thanks For Your Wonderful Story And Proof Of Why Some Shouldn't Condemn People Just Because They

voted for bush in 04. I think your story sends a clear message that there are plenty of decent and beautiful people who are capable of change even if they voted for him in 2004. I say this because there are some who have spewed utter hatred out towards anyone who voted for bush in 04 and I think it's important to remember that there are a ton of people who did the same as you and are still wonderful people. They just need to live and learn, as you have.

Great story, thanks for being here, and WELCOME TO DU!

:toast:

[roody]

29. Bienvenido y un abrazo.

[Colobo]

30. Gracias

¡Un saludo!

[Lochloosa]

31. Welcome to the light

:toast:

[mdmc]

32. I bet you have lots of company

He went from a 70 approval rating to a 30. 40% switched.

[Lost-in-FL]

38. It is called...

"Buyers remorse" and I only hope is not short lived.

[lonestarnot]

33. All I can say is your gut instinct is 90% correct. hmmmmf.

I'm not ready to make nice.

[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tin Man]

36. "Still, in November of 04, I voted for Bush, knowing I was going to regret it forever."

That's not logical behavior.

If you honestly knew you would come to regret it, then why would you do it?

[Lost-in-FL]

37. Bienvenido a la luz!!

From one Boricua..."Nuestra casa es su casa".

:patriot:

[Joanne98]

39. Welcome to the light side!

[Downtown Hound]

40. I'm glad you finally came around

but ultimately it's not really our forgiveness you need to ask for, it's the Iraqis. Voting for Bush in '04 when you knew better was not a good thing to do. So my advice to you is to do everything you can to work for peace from now on. Go to anti-war rallies, if you haven't already done so. You'll find the people there are nothing like the right likes to portray them. Get involved. Read progressive books. Watch progressive films. Educate yourself. Turn yourself into a warrior for peace and justice. Voting for Dems in '06 was a good start, but it takes more than that. Do everything you can to sway your former Republican friends, even if it means getting into heated arguments with them and having to drop them from your life. I've lost many friends because of Bush. I don't even let people that support him into my life anymore.

With all the blood on our nation's hands, it's not enough to just change our minds and vote for a different party. You owe the Iraqi people more than that. We all do, even those of us that opposed this war from the start. Do everything you can to see to it that someone like Bush never leads our country again. Me? I gave up my career at ABC because I couldn't stand the propaganda they were shoving down the American people's throats. That decision was so disruptive to my life that I ended up homeless a year later. But I got through it, and am now doing fine. And I feel stronger than I've ever felt before.
It's not easy working for peace in the world, contrary to what the right likes to say. It isn't pot smoking and sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll and being lazy and not wanting to work. You have to fight off hatred, anger, and despair. At times you will feel like the only voice of sanity in a world of madness, and the isolation that comes with that is not easy. And no matter how dark things get, you have to carry on the fight no matter what.

You have my forgiveness. The rest of the world's may not be so easy. But if you want the chance that you asked for, here it is: from now on until the day you die, work to see that something like this never happens again. Welcome to the light side.

[lildreamer316]

41. Glad to have you!!

Welcome!!:hug:

[Joe Chi Minh]

43. I wouldn't worry about your role in that election, as it was literally a

charade. Bushco didn't win, and your vote for them meant zero in electoral/political terms.

The fiercest critics of those who see and admit the error of their ways, in good faith, tend to be on the atheists of the far left. Unfortunately, the far left has proved to be an immensely fertile seed-bed for far-right extremism.

When they get their feet off the bottom rungs of the ladder, they make a bee-line for the far right. They surface on (or dive into) the far right on a very busy conveyor belt. It's really the same mentality, resorting, however implicitly, to the First or Second Commandment as "fronts" to bamboozle the people. The one is basically driven by envy, the other by avarice. Neither care zip about other people's welfare.

[Stardust]

50. Bullshit.

I have to say that's quite possibly the most egregious theory I've read in a long time. My fellow far left atheists care immensely about other people's welfare--how dare you accuse us of not caring! Have you ever even met us or gotten into a meaningful conversation with any of us? Your opinion, IMHO, is dangerously judgmental and offensive.

[Joe Chi Minh]

52. They should be offensive, but I suspect you're too young to know better.

It doesn't mean you're heartless now. It's a feature of youth. Nothing terrible - unless you don't grow out of it, but become a turncoat, like Reagan (shop steward), Thatcher (father was a Labour councillor), Blair (grandparents, Communist trade-union leaders) Tebbit (shop steward, pilots' union), Reid, the UK Home secretary, Hitchens, et al. The adult, atheist far left have quite a record of tergiversation, you know.

[AikidoSoul]

42. Sometimes forgiveness and redemption

take a lot of work. It's what you do in the final analysis that makes the difference -- not so much what you say.

I agree with the poster that says it's the Iraqis who need to be asked forgiveness... but since the damage done to them will last billions of years, it will be unreasonable for us to expect it any time soon. That shouldn't stop us from asking their forgiveness... for billions of years--that is, if the human race survives on this planet for that long.

The one thing that depresses me more than any other single fact is the quiet genocide that is taking place because of the U.S. military's use of depleted uranium weaponry in both Gulf War I and in Iraq.

We've blasted depleted uranium into Iraq's air, soil and water, and it will continue to contaminate the entire area for billions of years. The DNA of Iraqis will be damaged -- perhaps forever. We've also destroyed the evidence of their history by letting the incalculably valuable art and archaeological artifacts be looted --but during that same period the military was told to protect the oil ministry! Add to these crimes the fact that we've destroyed their infrastructure, created civil war, and too many other crimes to list here.

If we all dig very deep we will find that this administration WANTS Iraq, Syria and Iran to exist in chaos for decades -- because the Busheviks think that to do so is in US (read corporate, military and oil industries) best interests.

Your job, if you agree to take it, is to scrutinize everything you see and everything you hear, and ask yourself, "where is the truth here."

Then find it.

It often takes considerable energy and time to do it, but you'll get better and better at it over time.

Then indeed, you will be walking in the light.

None of us is perfect. All of make mistakes. Sounds to me like you're finding your way.

Welcome!

[WilliamPitt]

44. "...like a mosquito in a glass of milk..."

Keep that line close forever.

Welcome aboard.

:toast:

[butterfly77]

45. What did you see ...

being an insider that turned you around?

[femmedem]

46. Thank you for telling your story.

I would never have guessed that someone would vote Republican in order to fit in and be more American, but now that you've explained it, it makes a lot of sense.

Welcome to DU.

[raggedcompany]

47. re: I ask for forgiveness

you don't need to be forgiven...you did nothing wrong. keep up the good work of thinking, questioning, chewing on the tough problems.

nice post

[susanna]

48. Welcome to you.

The GOP fooled me for my first election back in 1988. From there, I was onto them and voted against. You caught on pretty quick too, so don't feel too bad. :-)

[Cha]

49. Your story brings

tears to my eyes. When I hear stuff like this I turn to mush..that's how much I love my country! Yay! :D

Welcome Aboard DU!

[madokie]

51. Honesty will take you far

aboard

[wicket]

53. kick

:kick:

[DinahMoeHum]

54. Welcome home, pilgrim. . .and welcome to DU. . .

and get yourself a virtual drink in the Lounge.

:hug:

[SaveOurDemocracy]

55. Welcome to DU

Not one of us are perfect ... though some here seem to be convinced that they are.

Now that you have learned and accepted the truth, join us in working to end the abomination that is the Bush administration. Thanks for sharing your story.

[Usrename]

56. Beautiful story.

Praying for your Republican friends.

[DemReadingDU]

58. Thank you for sharing your story

and welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Geek_Girl]

59. My fathers side is Puerto Rican and they all seem to be conservative

I always thought it was because they came from a military family. Maybe it has more to do with the politics of Puerto Rico. Thanks for sharing your story and welcome to DU.

:hi:

[Colobo]

60. Thanks to all

For this great welcome. I'm truly happy to be here, and I promise to address some of the questions and points some have made, especially the one about what things I saw in the other side that made me change my mind.

[nadinbrzezinski]

61. Welcome and good that you saw the light

by the way I am hearing the same over and over again, bout not voting for them ever again

[Imagevision]

62. Katzenkavalier, dude, you are NOT alone on this....