If you found out your honest, trustworthy mechanic was a right winger, would you stop using him?

[el_bryanto]

or her? This assumes that you've been using the mechanic for a while and felt that he was honest and trustworthy.

87 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
	I would definitely change mechanics
	11 (13%)
	I would probably change mechanics
	3 (3%)
	I might change mechanics
	1 (1%)
	I would consider changing mechanics
	2 (2%)
	It wouldn't affect my decision to use this mechanic
	59 (68%)
	If my mechanic posted these bullshit polls I'd fire him on the spot
	3 (3%)
	There's no such thing as an honest and trustworthy right winger
	7 (8%)
	I like to vote.
	1 (1%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[bunnies]

1. Yup. Im not giving him or her money to donate to RW nutjobs.

Lucky for me my awesome mechanic is a liberal.

[premium]

2. If he's honest and trustworty, why change mechanics?

This doesn't make any sense, so what if he's a RW'er? What's that got to do with his skills? Honest, trustworthy mechanics are few and far between these days.

[Hoyt]

18. I don't know. If he has a confederate flag in the garage, wears a gun, talks thrash -- I'd tell him

I prefer to deal with people who aren't right wing Aholes.

[premium]

22. Your prerogative.

I could care less what my mechanics politics are or whether he owned an arsenal, as long as he's honest, fair and trustworthy.

[Hoyt]

118. I am not surprised bigoted right wingers are fine for the gun promoters here.

Guns, toting, accumulating guns, etc., are often linked with bigotry and right wing Aholes.

[Jenoch]

127. The subject is auto mechanics.

[Hoyt]

131. Subject is right wing service providers. Guns and right wingers are often linked.

[Jenoch]

132. I did not see anything in the OP

about guns.

[Hoyt]

133. Did you see anything about bigotry, war mongering, greed, etc. Those are all common characteristic

of right wingers.

[Jenoch]

142. You seem to paint

everyone with a broad brush who does not agree with you. I don't see a lot of rabid right wingers in my day to day life. I also don't see a lot of what republicans call flaming liberals. Most of the people I see are decent people. It must be hell to live in Georgia, or Canada (do I recall you spent some time there?).

[Hoyt]

150. Sorry, when it comes to politics and decency, right wingers don't cut it. Well except with those

feel an affinity because of their love of guns, so it seems.

[Jenoch]

154. You missed the point.

At least for me, politics does not come up in every conversation or transaction. I live life and politics is but a small part. I don't go looking for political confrontations. You seem to always be on the hunt to insult someone, even your fellow Democrats on these threads. That appears to be the main difference between us.

[Hoyt]

157. Actually I think the promotion of guns is the biggest difference.

If you are offended by people speaking out about your support of guns, good -you are finally getting the message.

[Jenoch]

162. Promotion of guns?

What does that mean? I don't 'promote' guns. If someone who is legally able to own a gun, let them own a gun. If they are not eligible to own a gun they should not possess a gun. All guns in the home should be locked up. How have I ever 'promoted' guns?

Edit: What does any of this have to do with my mechanic?

[spin]

35. That's entirely your right. ...

However I take my vehicles to a mechanic for repair. I don't spend a lot a time discussing politics with my mechanic and have no idea if he is a Tea Party member, a Republican or a Democrat. He does good work for a reasonable price and backs up his work.

All I want is to have my vehicle repaired properly for a reasonable price. I don't really give a crap about his political views. I don't socialize with my mechanic. He fixes my car and I pay him. He has a right to his opinion as I do (as long as he is an honest citizen).

[bike man]

55. If he talks "...thrash..." AND wears a gun, you might want to couch your explanation

in different terms.

Or is this internet bravado?

[CokeMachine]

68. I vote Bravado.

[Hoyt]

117. I've dealt with a few yahoos with guns in my life, and came out ahead

without one. You might need one though.

[Pelican]

134. So...

What you are saying is that you've made it your entire life without being shot?

Congratulations to you and the hundreds of millions of Americans that did the same thing.

[Hoyt]

135. Not with the help of gun nuts who use them for intimidation.

[Pelican]

137. Not sure if you mean the guns or the nuts....

As it is though, you have likely benefited from the fact that your law enforcement has carried their weapons.

2nd and 3rd order of effects...

[Hoyt]

149. Are you in law enforcement?

[Pelican]

155. Of a sort...

... but I am not a badge wearing LEO.

All that aside, do you think that you don't benefit from an armed police force?

[Hoyt]

159. I've never suggested disarming law enforcement, except for the wannabes who tote

in public, like say Zimmerman.

[TheFutureWillCome]

67. DAMN

I didn't realize that only RW'ers carried guns.

[Hoyt]

119. They are the majority where I live. And they are mostly bigots too.

[TheFutureWillCome]

177. i mean

do you walk up to them and ask if they are repubs? How do you even Know they are carrying?

[Hoyt]

178. Pretty easy to tell, especially with their milita and Tbag "insignias."

Got any more questions about how to identify a gun toting, right wing, bigot in a red state. I've got plenty of experience.

[premium]

183. You just have all the answers, don't ya Hoyt?

Personally, I think it's all bullshit, but entertaining.

[krispos42]

166. Please take note.

I agree with you 2 out of 3.


The gun doesn't bother me, unless he's an asshole about/with it. But confederate flag? Throwing his politics in my face with the zeal of a preacher? Those truly disgusting anti-Obama "jokes" that RWers like to forward to everybody printed out all over his shop?


Yeah, bye.

[Aerows]

79. Because most of them are right wingers.

That said, my family owns a mechanic shop. And they are, sadly, right wingers, but they don't particularly set out to screw people.

[premium]

80. But if they have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness

and have treated the customers fairly, what difference does it make what their politics are?
Like someone said downthread, I don't pay for their politics, I pay for their skills.

[markiv]

3. i would change mechanics, if he were an active child molester

other than that, i wouldnt change an honest trustworthy mechanic for anything

[notadmblnd]

4. yup

I would never have a right wing mechanic. I have a perfectly good progressive mechanic and he works cheap for his mommy too.

[riqster]

5. If he or she is passing money along to RW organizations

Otherwise, WRGAS?

[MADem]

6. This happened to a member of my family.

Wingnut mechanic, flew under the radar for years, suddenly started railing about birth certificates...AND didn't do work that he charged for (supposedly he thought one of his underlings did it, but it was immediately apparent that he didn't do the job).

I had to step in and get the refund, and that mechanic is in the rear view mirror. That was a good five years ago, now!

[Sherman A1]

7. My honest trustworthy mechanic is indeed

and he treats my cars and my business with great respect. I would not change under any circumstances as he is a decent hardworking small business owner, employing other hard working folks.

[dixiegrrrrl]

28. I agree with Sherman.

Hell, down here most people in this town are Republicans, but the culture emphasizes social cohesiveness, which is a damn good idea that works here, because people don't argue about religion or politics.
They look for common ground and act polite towards each other.

I don't look to make political pals when I am in a business or work relationship.
I look for honesty and a fair price, and get it.
My goal is to foster unity, not divisiveness.

[Sherman A1]

51. And I must Agree with dixiegrrrrl

"My goal is to foster unity, not divisiveness." It is also to be sure my car is maintained, but one assumes that would be obvious in this discussion.

Well Said!

[Aristus]

8. I like my mechanic enough not to want to give him up.

So I'm not going to inquire about his political beliefs. If he starts volunteering a lot of RW spew, however, I'm out of there.

[UtahLib]

23. Absolutely agree. n/t

[Just Saying]

9. I would have to wonder about his ethics

And sanity. Lol

[TekGryphon]

10. There's a lot that goes with progressivism

It doesn't make you perfect, and it still makes you vulnerable to bouts of greed, but it means having a moral core that helps you make good decisions.

It means using high quality parts and installing them correctly to avoid an accident down the road.
It means not charging predatory prices on those in need.
It means paying your workers a living wage.

I would seriously consider switching to a different mechanic unless I know their family and had an emotional investment in wanting them to do well.

[Niceguy1]

92. republican

Mechanics can have the same characteristics..

[TekGryphon]

125. A Republican can certainly run a progressive business, true.

Although how they manage to live with the cognitive dissonance is beyond me.

[Niceguy1]

140. that is bs

We don't own honesty and character...........

Your kind of thinking is why we are so polarized today. We all love JFK but we don't act like did back then....

[TekGryphon]

168. You're right, I should have prefaced it with neo-conservatism

I have nothing against Eisenhower conservatism.

[Niceguy1]

169. I have the mindset of the great generation

That could respect a person, even if they have different beliefs. It is much easier to go through life that way. The polarization of bith sides in this country is a bad thing.

[TekGryphon]

171. The greatest generation didn't have bigotted obstructionist running half their government.

It's a fallacy to think that hating hatred is wrong.

[Niceguy1]

174. our side has it's share

Bigots (redneck threads and spellings) and hate, too. The popular confrontation threads..like in the supermarket line, if true, reflect poorly on the OP and the people who cheer it on.

[Ilsa]

11. I have no idea if my patronage

is to RW businesses if they keep their politics private. If they publicize their politics, then I might change my mind. It depends on what they promote. (is it anti-choice? Racist? etc?)

[Sissyk]

12. In Tennessee,

if I fired everyone that was a right winger, I'd have to do everything for myself!

[Rowdyboy]

153. And in Mississippi, its even worse....BTW, my mechanic is originally from Indiana....

Yeah, he's conservative but he's friendly and does a great job. First one I've trusted in awhile.

[Sissyk]

179. I must be weird or something.

Nine times out of ten, I have no clue how they vote. I just want my car fixed, or my plumbing or my air, etc.

[randome]

13. Only if he tries to convert your car. Then it's time.

[hr]
[font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font]
[hr]

[cherokeeprogressive]

14. I don't care what someone's politics are if the work is good.

[1-Old-Man]

15. There are several local businesses that I no longer use for just this reason

Fortunately my mechanic is not one of them; he is more or less apolitical but actually quite liberal in his views about how things should and should not be.

[Egalitarian Thug]

16. Probably instead of definitely because both our cars are very specialized and competent mechanics

are rare as hen's teeth. But yes, if there is a sane alternative available, me and my money are outta there.

[RebelOne]

17. The mechanics who own the shop where I take my car

are right-wingers, but they are fair to me and do good work, so I would not change to another garage.

[enough]

19. Same here. (nt)

[mrdmk]

104. yes, my mechanic is from the libertarian point of view, so are some of my school teachers

Yet these people have a point of view backed-up by intelligent thought.

My mechanic and I do agree on business economics, not social economics. He does take very good care of his workers, who in-turn take excellent care of me...

BTW: He is not the cheapest, never go for the cheapest!

[tokenlib]

20. Do you remove leftist bumper stickers from the car before taking it in??

Sometimes I worry about sabotage from a right wing mechanic--but if they are good I'd still go to them..

[Zorra]

21. I'd change mechanics and wonder how much I'd gotten ripped off for in the past. nt

[bike man]

58. If he is honest and trustworthy (according to the poll question), why would you suspect

you were ripped off in the past?

[Buns_of_Fire]

24. I don't discuss politics with my mechanic.

I don't discuss politics with my doctor, my accountant, or the person who grills my pattymelt at the Waffle House, either. Not within the context of the reason I'm there in the first place.

Just like I don't walk up to casual acquaintances and say right off the bat "Boy those republicans are real scumbags, aren't they?" I don't like that approach, out of the clear blue, when it's done to me, and I'll afford them the same courtesy by not proselytizing whenever I open my mouth.

[HappyMe]

37. Pretty much how I feel.

Political issues rarely come up in day to day living, and I don't bring them up.

[MillennialDem]

46. I hate when people assume I'm repub (not sure why, 32 year old white female FWIW) and

talk trash about Obama or w/e.

[JVS]

25. Until I see drones and surveillance vans circling his shop and find out that by doing business...

with him I'm exposing myself to legal consequences for financial support of terrorism, there is no way that politics could cause me to fire a good mechanic.

[SDjack]

26. I'd change if I found an acceptable mechanic who is not a nutjob. nt

[One_Life_To_Give]

27. He's very difficult to get rid of

Like a stalker shows up in the darndest places. And the wife is sort of fond of him.

[kentauros]

29. Are we talking only auto mechanics,

or does this poll also apply to the mechanics that fix our bicycles, motorcycles, police cars, buses, trains, planes, helicopters, drones, military vehicles, Air Force One, NASA vehicles, robots, construction equipment, and demolition equipment?

Because we use all of those machines either directly or indirectly. So yeah, it matters if we're talking about only personal cars and/or trucks

[defacto7]

30. I'd consider changing

but if I did that around here, I would end up with no mechanic and would be fixing my own car... Oh I forgot... I do that already. One question that is missing though... "There is no such thing as an honest and trustworthy mechanic". I'm sure that's not true but my experience is pretty close to that which is why I fix my own car. Probably off topic though.

[Electric Monk]

31. Those are mutually exclusive character traits, so it's a moot question. nt

[Nye Bevan]

32. If he was literally an actual Nazi, or a member of the Klan, probably.

If he was merely a life-long Republican, or a Tea Party member, then no. "Honest, trustworthy mechanics" are not that easy to find.

[BlueCaliDem]

33. No. Because mine is, and he's always kind, cordial, hard-working, and good at what he does.

He's a real "grease monkey" in that his shop is pretty darn greasy. But he knows his stuff. So, my opinion of the cleanliness of his shop aside, why discriminate?

[Hekate]

34. Smart business owners don't discuss politics at work, much less rub their customer's noses in it

During the Bush years and Obama's first presidential run, my hairdresser and I agreed very quietly that we were in sync, but out of respect for her business we then let it drop.

At least one of our mechanics is very conservative. He also does an excellent job. He has noticed my bumper stickers but has only made one very mild comment in all these years.

The thing is, I have a business relationship with a lot of different people, and what I expect from them is a job well done at a fair price, and a reasonably pleasant attitude, not political and/or religious agreement.

I prefer not to see the sacred fishy emblem, though, as it always seems to imply (a) that they are more honest than anyone else, which may or may not be true at all, and (b) membership in a club to which we do not belong but they think we ought to belong. But what can you do? I certainly wouldn't drop an association based on that alone.

[HappyMe]

36. No, I wouldn't change.

I have no idea what the guy's politics are, and I don't really care.
He's honest, does a great job and charges a fair price - pretty much all I'm looking for in a mechanic.

[WVU]

38. I'd drop his ass fast.

He's clearly and idiot that is going to get someone killed eventually, no matter how "good" he seems at the moment.

Odds are, he's fucking you over too, just like all the other right-wing cockroaches.

If I find out you're a repuke that I've been giving money too, I'm going to go out of my way to deny you my money, and do everything I can to make others do so too. Maybe going hungry for a while will show him how the poor (who he obviously detests) feel.

I don't let riech-wingnuts into my life in any way, shape or form, as soon as I'm aware of them.

[premium]

41. Your a real peach of a person.

What you say you would do makes you no better than them.

[WVU]

43. Whatever

I back my convictions with my money and actions

Money talks, bullshit walks.

[premium]

48. And your talking it right now.

Not only would you be attempting to put an honest business owner out of business, you would also be putting his employees out of a job, does that make you feel good?

You would also be denying the state/city/county the taxes generated from this business, which in turn, affects the public services that depend on these taxes.
Didn't think this through very well, did you.

[HangOnKids]

50. Gee you side with Repukes quite a bit

It is rather odd.

[premium]

52. Gee, I do not,

rather odd that you seem to be tracking my posts, actually, kinda creepy.

[HangOnKids]

54. Tracking Your Posts? Another odd position from you

This is a message board Sport, you appear to like posting. A LOT, and I happen to have an excellent memory. So keep flattering yourself, about the tracking, it is really cute.

[premium]

61. Here's an idea sport.

Go argue with yourself, you're not worth my time.
Buh By.

[HangOnKids]

64. COMEDY GOLD!!!!

Have fun and good luck!!!!

[billh58]

100. Gunners are like that

and this one thinks very highly of himself.

[WVU]

56. Nice try.

There are, in my opinion, no honest right-winger business "owners".

They are all fucking people over as a central element of their business philosophy.

If I can put them out of work, along with whatever right wing lackeys they have hired, then good.

They'd do the same to me in a heartbeat, and I know it.

Where one Rwer asshole fails, another more progressive, fair minded mechanic will move in to fill the void, actually paying his or her fair-share of taxes, helping the city even more.

Didn't think this through very well, did you?

[premium]

63. Whatever.

Just remember, what ever goes around, comes around.
I don't live my life hating people, life's too short for that.
Have a good life.

[William769]

66. I don't live my life hating people either

But a hell of a lot of right wingers hate me for the simple fact of who I sleep with & nothing else.

I'll be honored to be added to your ignore list which is probably growing.

[premium]

69. Believe it or not,

my ignore list is empty, I don't believe in hiding someone I don't agree with.

Who someone sleeps with is no one else's business and I have pity, not hate, for those that can't accept that.
Have a good day.

[richmwill]

95. Jeez...

...Say that you'll stick with an honest mechanic and people jump all over you, eh? Haha. I agree with you- if they're good and honest, I couldn't care less who they vote for.

[Seeking Serenity]

89. So, you think my husband's business philosophy is to "[screw] people over"?

Not to provide a service to people who need or want it for a reasonable price? But just to cheat people? Funny, none of his clients seem to think so, but since you say so, OK.

I'll be sure to let him know. He'll be happy to not do business with you.

[Logical]

73. Yes, because it brings his intelligence into the picture. n-t

[premium]

74. Yeah, there is that. nt.

[cherokeeprogressive]

105. Congrats. You win today's Ideological Purity Award.

Would that we were all so diligent, huh? How do you go about finding out someone's political bent? Do you just come out and ask before conducting business with them?

That is one of the best displays of hatefulness I've seen in quite a while.

Nothing like using a bulldozer to widen the divide between right and left... as well as hoping you can make someone go hungry. I see people like you as part of the problem, not part of the solution. Your kind of thinking guarantees the divide can never be bridged.

[SlimJimmy]

160. A bit of advice. You might want to tone down the rhetoric just a smidge.

[BlueCheese]

39. What if you found out that your proposed FBI director was a Republican?

Would you still nominate him?

Kidding.

It would really depend on how right-wing we're talking, but generally I try not to mix politics with everyday life.

[denverbill]

40. Depends on how big of a crackpot he is. Does he blame Obama for your engine running rough?

Some of these right-wingers are so fucking stupid I wouldn't trust them within 100 feet of my car with a tool.

[SummerSnow]

42. Well if your right wing mechanic found out...

you were a leberal he might mess up your car even more and charge you really high

[premium]

45. Why would he do that?

It would affect his business negatively.

[Seeking Serenity]

90. Not to mention place him or her at risk for liability

on a number of legal theories.

[Initech]

44. I get service contracts with my car, so I have the dealer service them.

[Kali]

47. oh hell, I just assume everybody around here is a winger

the surprise happens when they AREN'T

[arely staircase]

49. same here

if I limited myself to businesses run by progressives I would be reduced to a pre-industrial existence.

I do try to chose local businesses (rw as their owners may be) over large corporately owned ones.

[premium]

53. Same here.

I don't know what my mechanics politics are and I don't really care, all I care is that he's honest, fair and a very nice guy.

[graham4anything]

57. Never discussed politics with him. However,

I have some 2012 campaign stuff still in and on my car, and a big lawn sign Obama for President in the car.
(I used to actually keep that in the back window.

and I haven't seen anything to indicate that it upset my mechanic.

Therefore, as he hasn't made a snide remark, I figure he must have voted for the President too.

[premium]

65. Or he just doesn't care who you voted for.

It could be that he wants to keep your business and he just doesn't discuss politics with his customers, which is the way it should be.

[rl6214]

59. I'm paying him for his mechanical skills, not his opinion

[BlueStreak]

60. It depends. If he blasts Limbaugh in the garage all day long

forcing his employees and customers to listen to that, I'd tell him that I appreciate that he has run an honest business, but I don't want my money to support promotion of that kind of hate speech -- nothing personal, but just a matter of personal integrity.

But if he doesn't come across as an ogre, and despite his choice of media, he seems smart enough to do a competent job working on a complex machine, I would keep using him. You might politely bring him some reading material from time to time. Perhaps you can find articles that show how conservative policies are harming small businesses like his. But remember that if we don't like him being an ogre, we can't do likewise. It is a two-way street.

[William769]

62. Yes.

A right winger can't be trustworthy.

Don't even try to blow smoke up my tailpipe on this one.

[LittleBlue]

70. No

Fuck me, I'm not that petty. Hate it when the right-wing tries to "expose" someone as a liberal and boycott them.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

71. Would that be a satanic mechanic?

[nolabear]

75. Sweet!

[premium]

77. I must be slow today,

I just got it.
NICE.

[sarisataka]

94. Excellent

[billh58]

101. Duzy!

Thanks for the laugh...

[reflection]

72. People can change.

He could come around. My views have changed over the years.

[nolabear]

76. It would depend. How are you defining it?

That's a big problem with questions like this. I always need more info.

[Inkfreak]

78. I feel I must choose 'I like to vote'

cause it makes me laugh. But my real answer is I don't give a shit what his views are. Good mechanics are hard to find. At least in my experience. I'm super-clueless on all this car related, so I always feel like they are gonna take advantage of me.

[brewens]

81. Hell no! It's only one guy with one vote. My truck is too critical and a good mechanic

can be hard to come by. In my case, I suspect mine is a Republican but he never brings any of that up. I'm pretty sure he's not a hard core bagger type anyway.

[Shankapotomus]

82. Let's put it this way

If you knew your right wing mechanic knew you were a liberal would you trust him with your car? Some you might. Some you might not.

[Buzz Clik]

86. In today's political climate, it's probably a horrible idea to talk politics with just about anyone.

That's what discussion boards are for.

[Buzz Clik]

83. Mechanic -- no problem. But my gynocologist? No fargin way.

Well, if I had a gynecologist. Assuming I was female. But you get what I'm saying.

[cherokeeprogressive]

103. LOL n/t

[Starry Messenger]

107. It's not really something that comes up in convos in those appointments, lol

[Bluenorthwest]

84. How about the Sec of Defense? Head of the FBI?

If you found out your Democratic vote was used to give power to Bushco Republicans, what would YOU do?
Hard to see how it is bad for a mechanic if it is groovy for the head of the military to be a bigoted right wing hack. Bipartisanship, it's what's for dinner!

[forestpath]

91. +1000

[FreeJoe]

85. It depends

I picked Pass. If I found out that my mechanic was a mainstream Fox type watcher that believed stupid stuff like tax cuts increase revenue and things like that, I wouldn't let it bother me. People's opinions differ. On the other hand, if he was some type of racist, misogynist hater, I'd find another mechanic. Of course, things are rarely that black and white.

[Skittles]

87. if he keeps his conservative opinions to himself, OK

but if he's talking racist trash about Obama - no - I stopped going to a restaurant when my favorite waitress showed me an offensive video on her cell phone

[byronius]

88. Did this about six months ago. Found out and stopped trusting him.

I'm pissed off. Really pissed off. Fuck those assholes.

[Pragdem]

93. When I'm doing business or making a purchase, politics never enters the decision process.

My only concern is with the quality and price of the product.

[whistler162]

96. Ah another are you a worthless bigot poll!

[northoftheborder]

97. If he was listening to Rush while he works, then yes, I would go elsewhere.

[Ter]

120. That proves nothing

In the 90's as a teen, I went from Bob Grant to Lynn Samuels. I enjoy listening to those I disagree with, especially when we win on a divisive issue. I like when they're mad.

[Hoyt]

121. Exactly. Where I live, the right wing bigots loved Neil Boortz.

[etherealtruth]

98. My hair stylist turned out to be a right wing nut job

Maybe not a "full on" nut job, but most assuredly right wing. She does a phenomenal job on my hair. Not only do I 'still use her services" but I tip her generously

[Freddie]

128. My hair stylist too

I'm not arguing politics with someone who has a scissors in my hair. I've been going to her for years and she does a great job with my hair. If she brings up politics I gently change the subject.

[etherealtruth]

141. One does NOT mess with a good stylist

Seriously, I gently lead the conversation away from political issues, as well.

[Smarmie Doofus]

99. No. An honest mechanic is worth his/her weight in gold.

It's called enlightened self-interest. Besides... some rw-ers are nice people. Just stupid and/or ignorant.

I said *some*.

[dembotoz]

102. my mechanic knows i am a dem, we don't talk politics

live in a very red area and to loose my mechanic might mean driving farther than my sick cars care to go

[tritsofme]

106. That would be an incredibly sad and juvenile reaction.

The thought would never cross my mind. Except in very rare cases, I never mix business with politics.

[Jenoch]

108. The shop we take our vehicles

to is run by a family who seem to be republicans, but I dn't care. They do good work at reasonable prices and I trust them. It's not always easy to find an auto mechanic you trust. I once brought a vehicle to a shop that did a tuneup on a blown engine. I didn't knw their politics and they shut down a few years later. I don't intentionally get into political discussions with all those with whom I do business.

[Captain Stern]

109. I put qualities like "honesty" and "trustworthy" ahead of politics

I might disagree with his or her views, but if they are are really honest and trustworthy, I'm happy to have them fixing my car.

[Cleita]

110. I have such an a person. However, it would be hard to find one

in my area who doesn't lean right.

[oneshooter]

111. I wonder why it ius that so many answered that they may be repubs

but they are good, honest mechanics? Don't Democrats also become good, honest mechanics?

[hughee99]

113. Yes, they also become bad, dishonest mechanics.

Would you trade in a good, honest mechanic because he was a RWer and take a gamble on a new mechanic you didn't know just because they were progressive?

[JI7]

116. i think they are making the point that what matters is they are good honest mechanics

so even if they disagree politically they would still keep them to get the job done.

[Hoyt]

123. Are there any gun stores that hung up Obama posters? Or

do confederate or Tbag flags earn gun store owners special discounts for advancing a right wing agenda?

[hughee99]

112. I'm surprised by the number of people who felt the need to alter

the parameters you presented in order to justify switching mechanics. If one believes that all RWers aren't honest and trustworthy, then the question is basically "Would you stop using a dishonest, untrustworthy mechanic?" Who the fuck wouldn't look for a new mechanic under those circumstances?

[rurallib]

114. Well, I have done so. And try to vote with my pocketbook everyday

Only when they push their politics.
We have one set of friends who are Republican, but are not pushers.

I quit the mechanic the day he put a "Stop Obama" in his window.

[Ken Burch]

115. To be able to do that, you'd have to have a directory of progressive or at least moderate auto shops

In your area and possibly in the whole country(a progressive small business directory would be a nifty idea, btw).

My assumption(though I'd be glad to be proven wrong on this)is that about 95% of those folks are somewhere well to the right-of-center.

[otohara]

122. In A Heartbeat - My Money

I don't give my money to wingnuts unless I have no choice, ie: Chase our only credit card.

[Th1onein]

124. You should be thankful for every rightwinger that passes your way.

You have a chance, with every encounter, to turn them around. They are the way that they are because they are ignorant. Educate them.

[Kali]

163. I can't believe it took 124 posts for someone to say this.

this is how I exist in extreme red land. I try to be the liberal that fucks with their stereotypes.

yeah the token liberal, oh one of my best friends is liberal, she's ok for a hippie

[Th1onein]

182. Whatever you do might seem insignificant, Kali....

but it is very important that you do it. Ghandi said this, and I live by it. It does little good to preach to the choir. You have to get out, find the ignorant, and educate them.

I had a friend, who just passed away this past November. He started out a conservative, but he wasn't stupid, and would listen to the facts. I educated him. All of his conservative friends were pissed off at me. They told him that I had changed him into a liberal.

I know that it can be done. And I take every opportunity to educate conservatives, no matter where I find them. Sometimes, it doesn't do any good, but whatever you do might seem insignificant.....

[BenzoDia]

126. I'd still use them, of course. Why wouldn't I?

Now, I probably wouldn't vote for them if they were running for a political office.

[usGovOwesUs3Trillion]

129. keeper, but negotiate for a better price...

those folks often aren't the brightest bulbs on the tree.

[riverwalker]

130. oxymoron

No such thing as "honest, trustworthy right winger" not if you scratch a bit beneath the surface.
If they'll screw the country, they'll screw you.

[XemaSab]

136. My mechanic's a Mormon

Good luck finding a mechanic who isn't a right-winger in Redding.

[jdadd]

138. Ive always known, my Honest Trustworthy mechanic is a right winger....

He's just a victim of His environment....

[Ms. Toad]

139. I don't have an honest, trustworthy mechanic who is a right winger -

but I do have a doctor who is one.

I've fired the last two doctors (who weren't right wingers). This new doctor was recommended to me by the insurance agent who managed to find insurance for the company I work for which would cover my same gender spouse when our previous agent told us it was impossible. (And, when we had to switch a few years later - they performed that miracle a second time). So they know who I am, and recommended this doc anyway.

From day 1, I knew he was a right wing nut job. And he knew that I was a commie, hippie, pinko, lesbian. Good to get it all out on the table while we can both still run quickly for the door.

He also is the best primary care doctor I've ever had at juggling insurance forms. He's not the brightest bulb in the planet, but he knows what he knows - and when to hand me off to someone else because he doesn't have the necessary skills.

And we talk politics. All the time. At the strangest times...one memorable conversation is when he was raving about Sarah Palin while giving me a pelvic exam...

Our conversations are all amiable. And I figure knowing our family, and seeing we're just like every other family he treats, might open his eyes a bit - at least as to what LGBT families are like. And I figure that's a good thing.

So - I'm not planning on switching anytime soon.

[DeSwiss]

145. Good on you!

- This thread reminded me of C.P. Ellis.

[Ms. Toad]

147. Very nice! n/t

[Kali]

164. ...

[eridani]

143. I would if I could find another mechanic equally trustworthy who was not a RWNJ

I live in a populous county, so that wouldn't be a problem. It might be if you live in a small town.

[sarisataka]

144. I have a very good mechanic I use

who has some of the best prices in the area. I do not know his politics, religion or what breed of dog he has; I suspect I know his orientation from seeing his wife in the shop a few times. She seems to know how to turn a wrench too.

[DeSwiss]

146. K&R

- C.P. Ellis

[Deep13]

148. No. nt

[hrmjustin]

151. I have no car or license but it would not bother me.

[Douglas Carpenter]

152. your question reminds me of what Lenin once said about carburetors

seriously - not every fucking thing has to be fucking political

[sellitman]

156. Really?

Do we have to run our lives like this? Who the fuck cares if our mechanics are Martians? Can they fix the car? Are they trustworthy? That is all I need to know. I'm not dating them for crying out loud? Has it come to this?

[Cha]

158. That happened to me back in the bush years in NY.

I went to his garage to pick up my car and he had on fox and started spouting their talking points to me.

Got another mechanic.

[Incitatus]

161. No, but my Republican mechanic is a family member

and has saved us thousands. I do believe he is a honest person and wouldn't screw his customers, but I don't agree with his politics. Even if he wasn't family, as long as I knew he was honest about his work, I wouldn't care.

I don't think that just because a businessman is a Democrat doesn't mean he won't cheat, but I do think it is less likely.

If you find an honest mechanic regardless of what he thinks, you better hang on to him until he retires or dies.

[krispos42]

165. My hypothetical mechanic...

...is not in charge of a multi-billion-dollar national corporate conglomerate, able to divert millions or tens of millions of dollars to political action groups at a whim and with total unaccountability.


I say "hypothetical" because I fix my own car.



But the RW mechanic is just a working guy with a vote. Boycotting him wouldn't do anything except make me look like a petty asshole.

Now, if he had RW bullshit all over the place of business ('No liberals allowed' signs or other bullshit), then I would probably not go to him simply because I don't want to spend money to be in a place that pisses me off.

[Agnosticsherbet]

167. I'm not hiring him for his political point of view.

It is his expertise with cars that matters.

[LeftyMom]

170. Competent, honest mechanics are rarer than hen's teeth.

[Starry Messenger]

172. My mechanic is from Yemen.

I don't know what his political views are, but he's had his shop vandalized during Ramadan so I would hope he doesn't support the right wing shitcocks in this country.

He's always tremendously nice to me, keeps costs as low as he can since he knows I'm poor and has a bedside manner for my truck problems that I wish some doctors I've had in the past had. His shop is always packed with business.

[Notafraidtoo]

173. I don't think i ever met a mechanic who was left leaning.

Shops are often under pressure from the owners to screw over patrons with out them knowing it, best bet is to contract with owners who do the work themselves and have more then one shop diagnose on big jobs with out telling them you have had it checked out somewhere else,sure it cost a little more to do but in my experience i have saved 1000's.

If i had political bumper stickers i would avoid right wing mechanics,if they are listening to right wing political radio or television
they often wish us harm and would feel self righteous about screwing us over.

[marions ghost]

181. Agree

that the bumper stickers could inflame some people.

Especially these days. Didn't used to be true.

[YeahSureRight]

175. I would not even think twice and stop using them

I have a winger brother who I have not spoken to in over 20 years because of his choice why would I even care about a stranger?

Giving money no matter how small to a Pub is giving aid and comfort to the enemy and it is something I refuse to do.


One needs to spend their money the same way they vote and if one spends money on Pubs and Wingers then that person will also vote for Pubs and Wingers and cannot really be trusted, at least by me, I cannot speak for others.

To those that are interested, yes I have stopped doing business with Pubs before and I tell them why I am no longer doing business with them too.

[TexasTowelie]

176. A good mechanic is hard to find.

And although they might be a right winger, most mechanics that I know wouldn't be willing to part with their money for any political candidate so I'll just agree to disagree.

[librechik]

180. I don't know any mechanics who aren't right wingers.

if he's a good mechanic, I keep going there.

[truebrit71]

184. Yes definitely.

In fact I have done just that...