Proud to be a Democrat

I am a Democrat, always been. I am a church-going, traditional family kind of guy... pretty mainstream really. As I've said, I've always been a Democrat; my dad was a local Democratic councilman (who was framed at the instigation of the Republican town supervisor and forced out of office in the post-Watergate "all politicians are crooked" era, but that's a whole 'nother story) when I was a kid. So from an early age, I viewed the Republicans as "them", the "enemy".

Getting back to the "traditional guy" thought. Like I said, I live in a traditional family. I've been married for 22 years to the love of my life, I've got two teen-aged sons, two medium-sized dogs, a decent, not showy, house, a couple sensible cars. Nuthin fancy. But it's all nice, decent stuff. And like I said, fairly traditional.

I sometimes think that socially, status-wise, etc., I should be a Republican. I fit the profile. But in the end it comes down to money; Democrats are generous; Republicans want to hoard it. They could care less about giving anyone else a hand-up, just so long as no one touches their stash.

The Bush years haven't been fun. I live in Texas, and the support Bush still enjoys is shocking, considering what a slime he's being revealed to be. (We've known that all along, but the Repugs are just now starting to get suspicious.)

Lately, though, I've begun to be proud to be a Democrat again. The days of slinking around are ending. I'm not saying the Democrats will take over; in fact I still worry that the Repugs will continue to rule in Bush's aftermath. After the redistricting in Texas, the Democrats will have a tough time winning seats back.

I post on several other forums. A couple of them are automotive forums. Lately, strange and wonderful discussions have broken out on them. In the middle of discussions of new models, questions about Bush's knowledge of the absence of weapons of mass destruction pop up. Amid discussions of suspension mods, threads pop up about gay marriage.

There are supporters and detractors on both sides. But I've found that through reading DU, posting on Belief.net (of all places), and debating Bush's policies with my Texas conservative coworkers, I've become better informed than the average chimp-lover with respect to many of the issues of the day.

Now, I have no intentions of marrying another man; I've been happily married to a woman as long as I remember. And that woman, by the way, called W on the WMDs when he first cited them as a reason to execute a preemptive war. I'm just this middle-class guy who quietly lives his life. But lately, after putting in my two cents about Bush's deceits in the buildup to the war, after justifying why I, a heterosexual Christian man, am against an amendment banning gay marriage, after embracing other causes where I, as a Christian, try to advance the side of the least, the last and the lost, I've noticed that when I make these stands, I get fan mail of sorts.

I got a nice email from a guy in NYC thanking me for my articulate questioning of Bush's justification of the war. I get supportive and grateful emails from both straight and gay guys on an automotive site for articulating a mainstream case in support of gay marriage.

I don't think holding these views makes me a liberal freak. If anything, I hope it demonstrates that not every heterosexual middle-class family man is a gun-toting homophobic bigot. I hope it demonstrates, and sets an example of, compassion.

I am mainstream and proud of it. I am Democratic, and proud of it. The Republican revolution has just about spent itself. I'm glad, and proud, I stuck with my values, even when they weren't popular. They're starting to be popular again.

I still believe... if you remember, I started I BELIEVE threads after Election Day in 2004, stating my belief that Kerry would be pronounced the winner.

I still believe history will show he won, but I don't think he'll ever serve his term.

But I believe something bigger: That America, and Americans, are a great nation. The American ideal will prevail, and down the road this administration will be studied intensely... as a lesson of what a president should NOT do. Things will not instantly change for the better, but the pendulum is starting to move our way.

Have faith, and do your part!

It's nice to know that being a decent average joe can be "normal."

As I read your post, is sounded so much like myself. Names and places are different but, I too, am a middle class American heterosexual Christian Democrat.

mainstream....and you pointed out something very important..

<snip>
But in the end it comes down to money; Democrats are generous; Republicans want to hoard it. They could care less about giving anyone else a hand-up, just so long as no one touches their stash.
<snip>

This is the fundamental difference between Democrats and Republicans..we are not embarrased or afraid to care about our fellow man, no matter who is he is.

Bravo....

and I needed some of that today. Thank you.

I could be of some assistance....

"If a man's gift is... encouraging, let him encourage."
-Romans 12, 6-8

I hope I can encourage some Democrats to be proud of their convictions.

:patriot: I, a heterosexual Christian 'womam' am against an amendment banning gay marriage, after embracing other causes where I, as a Christian, try to advance the side of the least, the last and the lost," :patriot: I am also proud to say we are the same type of caring Americans.:pals: :yourock:

I can't tell you how great it feels to be a Dem right now. Not just because many people are sick and tired of the lurking Republican cloud that has, for 6 years, been looming over our heads--but because Democrats are finally getting that fire lit under their asses. Every Democrat--from the student organizer on a college campus in upstate New York, to the congressional candidates who are willing, able, and ready to take a stance on the Hill is fighting the good fight. It won't stop at the primaries and general elections, rather the wave of sound liberal politics need to progress after the elections. We need to keep strategizing, planning, and coming up with innovative solutions.

This post really made me happy, considering I had a bit of a discussion with a dem on RedState who basically told the blog that being a dem and elected official is comparable to admitting one has an alcohol problem at an AA meeting. You can imagine my disgust as I read it, but just simply replied--the Democratic party has ideals that you may not seem to wrap your head around, and that is simply unfortunate, considering its the same ideals that many Americans are longing to return.

Keep up the good posts and we'll keep fighting the good and necessary fight!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

:hi:

Thanks, Doohickie for the post. No Gay person ever harmed my way of life, nor swayed me in any fashion except to now and then remind me of the word "compassion" and "tolerance" toward my fellow human beings truly means. Grew-up with plenty. They work and pay taxes just like everyone else. :hi:

You're absolutely right, this does help to "demonstrate(s) that not every heterosexual middle-class family man is a gun-toting homophobic bigot."

The Democrat Party equates to one huge tent where everyone is welcome.

"You're a good upstanding man,
A credit to the flock.
If you don't face straight ahead,
You could not take the shock."

--Gomorrah, Garcia/Hunter.


Thank for this great post.

I still believe too!

Great post and thanks.

I fit the profile.

I attend a conservative church.
I'm a NASCAR fan.
I live in a nice house in the suburbs.
I drive a pickup.
I'm not gay. I'm not black. I am not Arab and my last name does not end in I or O.

But, I can't be a Republican until I learn to suppress the gag reflex.

"But, I can't be a Republican until I learn to suppress the gag reflex."

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Except that my last name ends in one of those vowels, that post describes me pretty well. (Oh.... and I'm not so big on NASCAR anymore...)

:D

Ever since the 1996 election (I'm young).

Thanks, Doohickie, for being you! :patriot: :toast:

I decided to start a blog and decided to cross post my original post from this thread there, to give my readers some idea of where I stand politically.

My blog is kind of sparce right now, so you can help me fill it up with a housewarming party. My gift registry consists of the "Extended Info" portion of my profile, and anything else you would like to suggest I add or change.

Extended Info entries that need to be filled in: Interests, About Me, Favorite Movies, Favorite Music, Favorite Books. I realize that some of those things none of you would know based on what I've posted here, so silly suggestions will be considered.

I haven't decided quite what the content of my blog will be. Political issues will come up I'm sure, but politics will not be the focus.