Just a heads up warning to those who have more important things to read, this isn't about anything new or revealing in terms of the national political debate or the political pundits. This is my own slap in the face realization that shows my naive beliefs about friendships and politics. For those sticking around follow me below the fold...
There has never been a political candidate that has spurred me to action quite like Obama has and I am grateful to be living in this moment. For we are seeing history being made and racial barriers being shattered. We are coming together to stand up to oppression and the distruction of the middle class and we are coming together as one unified party. I am amazed to hear the stories of Obama converts and the sudden realization people have about what's been so wrong the last 8 years. I guess in my own way I hoped to have a personal experience like that and reach just one person.
I have spoken with some friends and family about the election. One friend believes it's wrong to steal from the rich to give to the poor even though she makes $40K per year and considers herself middle class. She hates Palin while her husband loves her. I know how far to take any political conversation with her and we rarely argue about politics even though my once hippy liberal friend has become such a staunch conservative. I can't blame her too much though because her husband's family has some money. Not enough money to have "Money" but enough that eventually my friend and her husband will end up in the top 3% (though they're in the bottom 50% now).
Friend number 2 is a southern girl. Her husband is a former Marine and fights with the VA on a constant basis to even get seen for his medical problems. They've got over $115K in student loans and just had their first baby with the help of Medicaid. She's working on her PhD and he is a massage therapist. Last year they made the most they'd ever made...a whopping $20K. Now I don't look down on them, I'm still in school(also working on my PhD), have student loans and struggle to pay my bills...but I'm not voting for John McCain.
I happened to send a few e-mails around (literally less than 3), one of them citing the http://www.iht.com/... democrats economic plan. Well that apparently turned into a complete "backhanded compliment" and I was informed not to send anything else and that
I will not vote for Obama. Not now, not ever.
So my little bubble burst. I guess a part of me really thought that I could make a difference, especially in the life of a friend who is one of the many Americans left behind with the current Republican administration (or any for that matter). Maybe it is egotistical for me to believe that I know better than anyone else and I should just keep my nose out of things.
It's hard not to get upset when something like this happens. This election is just so important and I'm trying so hard to get my friends involved. I've never had to disagree with my family because I was raised a liberal democrat. I find it hard to communicate in a way that doesn't upset people to spark up a healthy conversation but apparently it isn't working. Any suggestions?