I know that there have been a lot of "personal" stories that get posted, but I have one to share as well. I am so frustrated, hurt and angry that I need to get this out. This is the journey of my personal exodus away from the Republican Party, climaxing with an astronomical event that just happened today that has left me shocked and down.
More below the flip...
I've considered myself a conservative ever since I was aware of politics, around 15-16. I am now 23 and am very much involved in politics and ideas - the same ideas that move governements and change lives. I have always prided myself on libertarian ideals that I thought were correct in running a government.
What first changed my mind about my party was, surprise surprise, Howard Dean. Listening to him, and not the drivel that the media deems fit to print, you get the feeling that he actually cares about America. Not about himself like other politicians. I even got the feeling that he doesn't care who you vote for, just that you vote and get involved. When you hear someone telling you that YOU have the power, the power to actually make changes in our corrupt system, you can't help but FEEL empowered. And to this day, I am grateful that he has done so much to get grassroots working again in America.
Over the past few months, so many other things have come and gone that have revealed a dysfunctional Republican Party. From Terri Schiavo to gay marriage to the nuclear option, Republicans have cared less and less for small-government and more and more for their brand of political take-overs. They've stopped caring about getting government out of my life, and done a helluvalot more to make sure that they continue to interfere in my personal life.
As I've read more and more diaries here on kos, I've realized that the Democratic Party does more to argue for limited government than any Republican in the House or Senate (abortion rights and getting the government out of a woman's right to choose, for example). When I've read the diaries on gay rights, I've cried when I know that my previous stance against gay marriage has been so hurtful to so many. I've realized that current arguments against gay marriage are similar to arguments against civil rights, or even inter-racial marriage, and that realization has brought me shame and digust with my previous party.
Then, today, I got a call at work from my little sister who told me that my father has collapsed twice today and was taken into the hospital. Guess what - my father is among the 40 million Americans who does not have health insurance. Nothing. Nada. Zip. We don't know yet what is wrong with him, but because of circumstances beyond his control, he has been unable to get a full-time job with benefits.
So now, he and my mother will be stuck with a hospital bill, possibly more due to family history problems, and other costs associated with that, and no safety net to help them. Funny, how some issues you don't care about until they hit you. Who cares about non-insured Americans - until you're one of them. Who cares about bankrupt Americans - until you're one of them. Who cares about intolerance against a group - until you're a member of that group.
There's a lot to be negative about in America. But there are millions of American's just like me who will be hit by the coming crises. They, like me, will demand that we get our country back from the fat cats and theocrats in Washington. And they will turn to the progressive ideals in the Democratic Party.
I hope more turn before it's too late.