I was poor, but a GOP die-hard: How I finally left the politics of shame

[DonViejo]

I hated government -- even as it was the only thing trying to save me. Here's how, one day, I finally saw the light

EDWIN LYNGAR

I was a 20-year-old college dropout with no more than $100 in the bank the day my son was born in 1994. I’d been in the Coast Guard just over six months. Joining the service was my solution to a lot of problems, not the least of which was being married to a pregnant, 19-year-old fellow dropout. We were poor, and my overwhelming response to poverty was a profound shame that drove me into the arms of the people least willing to help — conservatives.

Just before our first baby arrived, my wife and I walked into the social services office near the base where I was stationed in rural North Carolina. “You qualify for WIC and food stamps,” the middle-aged woman said. I don’t know whether she disapproved of us or if all social services workers in the South oozed an understated unpleasantness. We took the Women, Infants, Children vouchers for free peanut butter, cheese and baby formula and got into the food stamp line.

Looking around, I saw no other young servicemen. Coming from the white working class, I’d always been taught that food stamps were for the “others” — failures, drug addicts or immigrants, maybe — not for real Americans like me. I could not bear the stigma, so we walked out before our number was called.

Even though we didn’t take the food stamps, we lived in the warm embrace of the federal government with subsidized housing and utilities, courtesy of Uncle Sam. Yet I blamed all of my considerable problems on the government, the only institution that was actively working to alleviate my suffering. I railed against government spending (i.e., raising my own salary). At the same time, the earned income tax credit was the only way I could balance my budget at the end of the year.

more
http://www.salon.com/2014/07/16/i_was_poor_but_a_gop_die_hard_how_i_finally_left_the_politics_of_shame/

[randys1]

1. I have had the belief for a long time the only way to educate the idiot teaparty and repubs

is to let them have what they want, they will scream and cry and beg us to save them but only after they get what they THINK they want...

[Xipe Totec]

2. Some would rather starve than swallow their pride.

[stillwaiting]

22. I often agree with your point of view.

The problem is that it might be MUCH harder to rebuild what we had previously.

Once we lose our middle class, it might not come back for a VERY long time. TPTB have technologies, weaponry, and a massively successful brainwashing apparatus.

It makes me not want to let them have it their way simply because we might not get our way back.

[F4lconF16]

43. That, and unfortunately

they aren't the only ones hurt by their stupidity. A tea party government would cause massive amounts of hurt to many already struggling, and would doom those who are currently on the edge.

[nomorenomore08]

56. You can already see the contrast in living standards between "blue" and "red" states.

If conservative voters don't realize this at some point, then they're hopeless.

[ProfessorGAC]

68. Beat Me To It

While i agree with the other poster that letting it be torn down and reboot is unlikely to be effective, it's the damage done during this "experiment" that would be profound.

[Volaris]

71. Oh no, we would...

I think the reason the banks went running to Uncle Sam was 2 fold
First, those guys didn't want to lose everything (duh)
Secondly, if they hadn't been saved in the manner they were, it likely would have meant a second great depression, and just as assuredly a Second New Deal. All their hard work of the last half century convincing Americans that Government is less that worthless would have been undone in 6 months.
Can't have that, now CAN WE????

What it proves is that their Libertarian, state of nature worshipping political and economic philosophies are worthless; even THEY don't want to live by them. The first test of any Philosophy as I was taught the subject is: " do ( or even can) the people who espoused it actually live by it?.
In this case, clearly not.

[IronLionZion]

65. They'll still blame the liberals and gays anyway

also the minorities and women and anyone else. The important thing for them is to blame others and feel angry all the time.

Just witness them voting against veterans benefits and embassy security, and the nonstop complaining about the VA and Benghazi. These assholes take money out of our economy through budget cuts and layoffs, and then blame Democrats for the slow recovery.

They operate on a completely different type of logic than liberals. Proven facts won't sway people who go with their gut instead.

[riderinthestorm]

3. This is an excellent insightful article. There's lots to be gleaned by these types of accounts

Lots of useful information on how Democrats can reach these folks.

BIG K&R!

[salib]

21. Not just reach, but truly help

I know we are constantly fighting these people's choices politically, and that is important, but it is equally important to recognize that programs are often designed with "others" in mind, and we could be help these type of people much more if we just understood how.

[handmade34]

4. reminds me a bit of this...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/07/08/this-is-what-happened-when-i-drove-my-mercedes-to-pick-up-food-stamps/

"...The clouds hung low as I pulled the sleek, pewter machine into the lot. But I wasn’t going to pray or attend services. I was picking up food stamps.

Even then, I couldn’t quite believe it. This wasn’t supposed to happen to people like me....."

[progressoid]

5. "I only wished there were a major party more liberal than the Democrats "

Yup.

[Xyzse]

10. I came out with that as well.

I think that is why I am still an Independent...
Which sadly makes it hard for me to do anything more than what I already do. Which is canvass and donate when I could.

[freshwest]

6. His earlier piece on leaving Libertarianism was great; this is even better. He nails it. Thanks, DV.

[randr]

7. The Tea Party Conservative movement relies on the victimization of participants

People who blame others for their problems.
Congratulations on finding your pride and standing tall.

[Armstead]

8. Most Conservatives are just one accident or illness way rom becoming "dependent freeloaders"

I knew guy who was a roofer and hard-core conservative.

One day he fell off a roof, had a back injury, and eagerly became a collector of SS Disability benefits.

Don't know if it changed his opinions in the long run -- but it should have.

[Cosmocat]

13. I find MOST conservatives suckle greedily from the tax coffers

Some of the hardest core republicans in our area are ... Contractors, whose businesses live off of government contracts.

It is anecdotal, but FAR more people I know on some kind of disability who are politically orients are conservatives than liberals.

It goes on and on ...

EVERYONE is a "fiscal conservative" except of course for what is their interest.

[PeoViejo]

16. He could rationalize collecting SS Disability

because he was a hard-working, tax-paying patriot. He deserved those benefits. He just couldn't accept the fact that, unlike him, a lot of folks, for whatever reason, don't get the opportunities that he had.

[Armstead]

29. Well without "socialism" whern he lost his ability to work, he would be totlly on his own

[PeoViejo]

36. Short-term gain vs long term security

It's OK for conservatives, as long as it's the other guy that takes the hit.

[pleinair]

9. "It’s like clinging to the end of a thin rope and voting for the rope-cutting razor party."

It's an interesting read, but he doesn't exactly say what changed his mind -- I'm interested in learning how to persuade people away from the irrational.

[valerief]

42. He said it was the 2008 crash and how the richies proved they weren't smarter

as he originally thought they were. He'd thought they knew best. Plus, they wanted their govt handouts--tax cuts.

[Zambero]

52. Yes, some might call this an "Epihpany" event

I have found those of modest means or less who possess a conservative mindset are nearly impossible to reason with. It's almost as if their beliefs are hardwired into the DNA, and any and all other facts be damned. Some will change with time, but the change will almost always reveal itself through a self-directed moment of clarity, and not based on persuasion from someone else.

[IronLionZion]

66. You can lead a horse to water,

but you can't make them drink. All the proven facts in the world won't sway these people because they operate in an alternate plane of logic. They need to arrive on their own.

"I deserve lots of good stuff, but those other freeloaders don't!"

[Xyzse]

11. Thing is, the problem with so called "conservatives" is that they capitalized on one thing.

The idea that "it was better back then".

In doing so, they are able to say "it was more moral back then".
Things were much better, because they can tap in to that idea of comfort since any sort of change is scary, even if it is better.

They don't trust things that help but are easily swayed with things that scale things back.
It is really ridiculous.

[Xyzse]

15. Yep...

[randys1]

18. Exactly, which is why ANY discussion on our economy MUST start with MAJOR trade reform

WE must create a system where most of what we buy we make here, and even then that wont last long as automation kills more and more jobs every year.

The way you do it is:

A. change the laws that now REWARD corps for OFF-SHORING jobs...

B. Create tax incentives and govt low or no interest loans for new start up companies which will manufacture televisions, cell phones, spatulas, door mats, electric fans, copiers, cars, light bulbs, tennis shoes and more right here in America.

C. Simultaneous with new start ups we increase tariffs on the imported products that we now make here, as this is a gradual process, will take 10 yrs to see real change.

[1StrongBlackMan]

33. And/or ...

Fight to globalize worker/workplace and environmental regulations.

[JHB]

28. They always forget something else that has changed radically since the 50s...

[Arugula Latte]

32. Things were good for white men in the 50s, and that's the only demo that counts, after all.

[1StrongBlackMan]

34. Well ...

there's that, too.

[IronLionZion]

67. Who had the jobs?

Conservatives always forget that many minorities and women were forcibly blocked out of many jobs. Gays could be fired for being gay. There was rampant discrimination and the good opportunities were made available to a select few. Hell people were flipping out when an Irish Catholic ran for president. Mad Men is one of the whitest shows on TV for a reason.

The 50s were not good for everyone.

[pscot]

12. Thanks for posting this

[jwirr]

17. I have always said that the receptionist at Social Services should have the highest education in the

building because the way they respond to clients often determines how the client responds to the other workers. I never really meant the part about education but it served to illustrate problem with many receptionists.

[1StrongBlackMan]

19. Inspirational; but, ...

I think the OP's level of self-reflection is rare ... even when in dire straits, their internalization of the American Dream Myth, i.e., "In this America, if you work hard enough and make the 'right' choices, you too will be a millionaire ... to not do so, is a personal moral failure", keeps them locked in on the self-destructive path the OP illustrates. The American Dream Myth is steeped in false "morality" conditioning.

[AndyTiedye]

27. The Original Version of the American Dream Was a Farm

[Hoppy]

20. My friend's parents and sibs all railed against gub'mint welfare.

Father died two years ago. All three are now living off the same gub'mint.... SS., SSi, free food and free housing.

[stillwaiting]

23. Do they still identify as conservative?

Because if they do I would REPEATEDLY bring up how lucky they are to have the social services they receive. I would not shut up about it. I would do my best to convert them, and if I couldn't I would make sure they knew they were massive hypocrites, and if they got their way they would not be able to live a life with dignity. They would deserve it. It's too important for too many in this country, and it is a matter of life and death in many cases.

[Hoppy]

53. Yup. Just ask them. Big guv'mint sucks.

They just don't get it.

[BumRushDaShow]

24. Remember when this first came out?

[1StrongBlackMan]

35. Tow observations ...

Donald was upset with the Corporate Big wigs ... Beck tells him that the government is controlled by wall street (the Big wigs) ... Donald is hooked ... (at the 3:13 mark) Beck asks "how many Maxists and Communists and ANTI-CAPITALISTS are around you on a daily basis?" ...

Uh, Donald! The CAPITALIST are wall street (the Big wigs)!

Secondly, The video has Beck getting Donald to shell out the contains of his piggy bank to purchase something ... in Beck's response, HE ENDS WITH TRYING TO SELL THE LISTENERS SOMETHING!

[BumRushDaShow]

40. Beck's response to the clip was linked to at the end of the video

and it's hilarious how he whines about how the clip was masterful "propaganda" while ignoring the fact that it perfectly depicts his propaganda (e.g., obfuscating that "capitalists" ARE the "big wigs" and "Wall Street&quot .

[Voice for Peace]

25. kick to read later

thanks for OP

[tclambert]

26. I glad to hear about someone finally seeing the truth, but it took so long.

For so many years he blamed the wrong people and supported the very people who were hurting him. I find that part disturbing.

[MoonchildCA]

30. That was a great read!

I love stories like this, of people finally seeing the light.

[craigmatic]

31. This is the kind of person we should recruit to run for office. He gets it and he came to it the

hard way.

[nomorenomore08]

57. +1

Especially because he wants to be "more liberal" than the Dems.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

37. Conservatives have been playing off the already present "born a sinner" myth for decades....

They have been claiming to their wretched followers that the REASON they are poor is because of TAXES and because of their whining about being victims. Then they claim the key to riches is to talk like them and think like them and VOTE like them. Then they will point to a cured shill and claim they once suffered the same as them until they drank the snake oil Kool-aid and are now a fabulous success at,....something or another. Those who don't make it are accused of a lack of faith and others are encouraged to cast stones at them for dragging everyone else down too. That was why infiltrating their churches with Right Wing Preachers was such a good fit.

[Cha]

38. Here's to more people voting for their own self interests and not those of billionaires like Kochs

who would just as readily destroy the Planet as Obamacare.

Mahalo DV

[blkmusclmachine]

39. ,

,

[WillyT]

41. K & R !!!

[ErikJ]

44. Food stamp capital of the US votes 95% Republican.

Reminds me of the fact that the food stamp capital of the US is in a county in Kentucky where 99% of the people are white........... and 95% of them vote.......... REPUBLICAN!!

[maced666]

50. By state I think Oregon, New Mexico have Kentucky beat.

As percentage of population goes - Miss. too I think
http://www.governing.com/gov-data/food-stamp-snap-benefits-enrollment-participation-totals-map.html

[Uncle Joe]

45. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, DonViejo.

[LiberalLovinLug]

46. K & R

What a great read.
Not too many "white trash" Republicans will read Salon, but the more stories out there like this the better.

[Politicub]

47. My family is filled with people like this

The only thing some of them care about is curtailing reproductive choice by voting for the party that nakedly takes food from their children's mouths.

But they're all good church goers, too. So they get their programming spoon fed to them by the other wing of the GOP - Christian fundamentalists.

Most of the others in my family don't vote but would probably vote GOP because of jealousy that others are benefitting from the same government programs as they are.

Again, they would rather their children go hungry because of the image of the welfare queen drilled into their heads for 30 years.

[DeSwiss]

48. The best line of all:

''I finally “got it.” In 2012, I shunned my self-destructive voting habits and supported Obama. I only wished there were a major party more liberal than the Democrats for whom I could vote.''

- Yeah, I know what you mean bro.......

K&R!

[Roy Serohz]

49. DUly RECommended

[AnnieBW]

51. I know someone who's been out of work over 3 years

Is facing foreclosure, and is on food stamps. And he's still a Republican and hates Obama. In fact, he blames Obama for his situation.

[Pirate Smile]

54. He wrote that he now has two graduate degrees - that is a demographic that Dems win by a significant

margin - which was why Rove said it was possible to have "too much" education.

[Stryst]

55. Reading this

reminded me a lot of my stepfather. He was so proud that we were never allowed to even mention to anyone any financial troubles we were having (with a healthy beating for breaking this rule). We didn't eat every night, but anytime my mother mentioned food stamps or going to the food bank it caused a major fight. What was wrong with her, didn't she trust him, how could she have so little pride, etc.

I've come to believe that if your family is struggling, or having trouble with medicine or food for children, then letting your pride make you refuse to sign up for social safety programs is child abuse.

[Live and Learn]

58. It is not that difficult to understand why so many of the poor

rail against the government since they deal with the government more than other socioeconomic groups.

The long lines and belittlement they are forced to endure while applying for benefits are real and infuriating.

They are more apt have to deal with the police and child welfare agencies due to the stresses they and endure (and just where they live).

They are more likely to be unable to pay taxes or fines and have to deal with the very harsh and stringent government collection agencies.

They have a lot more difficulty finding jobs due to a lack of education, a criminal record or bad credit (which they, rightly or wrongly, blame the government for).

They run into problems with governmental agencies or the police while trying to be self supporting by selling items without government needed approval, e.g. licenses, bonds, insurance.

Most of these are the results of conservative politics but some, although they may have been well intentioned are none the less hurtful, have been put in place by liberal legislators. And the GOP is extremely good at portraying any problem as a result of liberal politics.

They are equally adept at taking the focus off of those really to blame by focusing hatred on one group or another. Until we find a strategy to combat these tactics, we will always have many voting against their own self-interests.

[Orrex]

59. Interesting story. I didn't think that WIC covered baby formula in 1994.

It sure didn't in 2004 or 2006.


Always nice to see someone's eyes being opened, though.

[Mariana]

61. I think it did.

My daughter was born in 1995, and some of the women I knew who also had babies around that time told me they were getting formula through WIC.

[Orrex]

62. I wonder if it changed and then changed back

Or maybe it didn't cover the brand that our kids would drink.

[stratnav71]

69. Another Coastie who used WIC

As a fellow Coastie like the author of the Salon piece, we survived on WIC when our kids were born in 1997 and 2000. I don't remember if it covered formula (my wife breast fed) but it definitely helped make ends meet when I was junior enlisted!

[Orrex]

70. Our situation was different, but WIC was a huge help for us as well

It's a terrific program. Everyone who needs it should definitely make use of it.

[polichick]

60. Fascinating - helps me understand how so many vote against themselves...

Last edited Thu Jul 17, 2014, 08:32 AM - Edit history (1)

Dems need to address that shame if they want their votes.

And that question from the article makes a good campaign bit: The rich vote their interests, why don't you? (Or some version of that.)

[mrsadm]

63. Why is this so true?

I even read "What's the matter with Kansas" and I still don't get it.

[klook]

64. GREAT read.

I hope everybody reads the entire piece on Salon. It is well worth your time.

Mr. Lyngar provides not only insight into his own awakening, but also a great analysis of the cognitively dissonant self-shaming that is at the heart of the Republican 99 percent's mindset.

"It’s like clinging to the end of a thin rope and voting for the rope-cutting razor party."

Exactly.

I look forward to reading / hearing more from this guy.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

73. I'm sorry but I have a hard time being impressed by these converts.

Too little, too late.

[WinkyDink]

74. OMG, me, too---I feel like a villain, but you know what? I've been a Democrat since I was 12! Didn't

need a personal epiphany; just had to have enough sense to observe the world around me.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

75. This guy changed because it started to affect ...

...it started to affect him. Prior to that everyone else didn't deserve help.

Hardly admirable.

[lunasun]

76. That is their way and no not impressed . If things hadn't been about him

There would've been no philosophical ,political epiphany , or empathy either

[Fantastic Anarchist]

78. Exactly.

[snot]

77. So are your preaching to anyone but the choir???