Saying goodbye to my 78 yr old Republican girlfriend

AZgirl7

(85 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Mar-10-08 02:42 AM
Original message

Saying goodbye to my 78 yr old Republican girlfriend

Dear Carol,

Thank you for the phone message. I feel bad that we have not been in contact for these last 2 years. So, I feel that I must try to explain why I let our friendship go.

It is said that people should not discuss religion or politics. But between close friends who share many intimate aspects of their lives, it is impossible not to mix public policy and politics discussions with what are the details of our daily lives, and the impact of them on our psyche. Previous to this president�s tenure, I can assure you, I never had disagreements or hurt feelings between friends over where our country, and its worldwide reputation were going! Very early on in this decade, I got a very insecure and nervous feeling about what our president�s attitude was toward ordinary Americans, and what his priorities were. I got the message quite quickly that he was not at all concerned about people like me, who were struggling to live a stable and happy life, with some measure of hope for the future. I have come to realize that I, and millions of my fellow countrymen, have had our future financial security traded for the profit of a few. I have watched as our country�s treasures have been raided and pillaged, and my kids and grandkid�s futures mortgaged for a misguided attack and occupation upon a people and country who had no means to hurt us. Certainly our intelligence agencies could have taken out one bad man, and what was at the time, a small group of militants. 5 years later, millions have been displaced, disgraced, debilitated, disabled, murdered, and an entire country decimated. Also gone are the antiques of their ancient history, and the records of the very origin of civilization were stolen and destroyed.

I simply could not carry on a friendship with anyone who would condone and support a person who so ignorantly forged ahead with a mission like that. The treatment of our own soldiers tells the truth of how little human suffering means to this �leader� of ours.

I wonder if Mr. Bush, had he ever had the guts to go to war himself, or to be waterboarded, would be able to veto a bill banning torture. A painfully embarrassing policy that has been one of the foundations of his war on terror. It�s also incredible that Mr. McCain agrees with this veto! What a despicable betrayal of his own soul. And Hillary�s YES vote for the US to continue using cluster bombs, when the whole world is condemning their use? It�s our entire government that has allowed this, and brought us to this awful place in history. All for power and greed.

Also, it was far too frustrating to interact with someone who blindly and willingly limited their knowledge of other sources of information and points of view. After searching for truths and spending countless hours reading articles from around the world, it was too hard to converse with someone who responded to my shared information by parroting the talking points of people who are well known paid puppet propagandists of the powers of the war industrial complex, and people who cannot tolerate the opposing opinions and feelings of others. True patriots care about how our country conducts itself, it�s reputation around the globe, and what it does in our names. The most painful thing has been being called unpatriotic, �with the terrorists�, or a terrorist myself because I did not agree with Staying The Course.

I now look at people who are the remaining 19% of people who are standing with this president and call themselves �staunch Republicans�, as people who have little feeling for those who have less than they do. Anyone who is not in the money seems to be looked down upon, and those humans who are in need are reviled as leeches on society, all trying to take something from you. I feel that is the basic difference between �conservatives� and liberals. People who care about themselves and their money, vs. the people who care about their fellow human beings and will give up some of the excess riches they have been blessed with, for the good of all humanity or our society as a whole. With that being a core belief of mine, that if everyone is lifted, we are all happier, it was too hard to continue on with our friendship.

On a personal level I felt that you were one of the sweetest caring people I ever met, and that just didn�t square with the attitude I felt you had about our world in general and the lack of compassion towards those less fortunate than you. It�s was too hard to talk to someone who allowed themselves be programmed 24/7 by Fox News. There is a well known reason why the democrats will not dignify their existence by appearing for debates. It seems the neocons hate the truth. They�ve even justified the soldiers in Iraq randomly shooting civilians and killing puppies. �They need to let off steam�. I never thought I�d be mourning the loss of my country and to feel that being patriotic is a joke that has been played on me.

I suppose it could be said that I am too emotional or too involved with something I can�t control, if I would let it end a friendship. But, that�s me, and I have to be true to myself. I have since learned that it is useless to try to enlighten others when they do not WANT to be, so I just go away. The pain of our national situation is enough to bear. Unfortunately, the lot of us will go down with this president, and the �staunch republicans� who helped sink this once great country of ours. I hope you�ve put all your life savings in gold already. I have.

Best of luck Carol and Keith. I�m sorry it had to be this way.