One thing all of us can and must do.

[Hamlette]

Pick a cause to support; BBV, think tanks, federalist society for us, whatever. But in addition, adopt a republican. Hear me out.

Today might not be the day. Too cold, too raw, too mad, too sad. But when the anxiety level goes down a bit, find someone, better still a few people who disagree with you on religion and/or politics.

Find some common ground. That would be the way to pick them. There are three people in my office who are religious and republican. Two of them I dealy love. One I might could like if I gave her a chance. The rest of the religious republicans I don't think I could be friends with but these three I could.

Your mission is to show them, through your friendship, that we are not the monsters as portrayed in the media or their churches. That we are decent, caring people. Do NOT talk politics or religion. It is possible later on, if you truly become friends that you can. But I doubt it. If they try to talk about it tell them: we don't agree about politics and/or religion and if we talk about it I'm afraid it will ruin our relationship. Let's agree not to talk about it.

Find common ground. Your job is not to convert them. Your job is to make them think twice when Karl Rove tries to make liberals or gays or atheists evil. You want them to say: "my friend is gay (or liberal and/or atheist) and she is a decent person."

If we don't, we will continue to let them define us. We need to stop Bowling Alone (read the book or at least a review of it). We can heal this country.

If you ask Americans: should abortion be illegal in all cases only 9% think so. Some other fun statistics to remember:

Only 29% of Americans think America is a Christian nation.
54% think promoting religion always harms rights.
80% think big companies have too much influence on government.
only 36% think government regulations go to far, 59% say not far enough
61% think corruption in business is widespread
Only 20% thought tax cuts were the right thing to do with the surplus, 56% thought the tax cuts would harm their family's situation.
65% think federal spending on education should be increased.
66% would be willing to increase their taxes to help inner city schools.
62% think the government should do more to protect the environment.
(other good stats in Reason by Robert Reich.)

We are NOT as conservative as they want you to believe. We are a liberal nation. We just don't all know it.

Join the take a republican to lunch club.

[havocmom]

1. Good points. Great long range game plan

This deserves a kick, cuz we need to remember there is a tomorrow and a next month.

:kick:

[July]

2. Like your thoughts. Are those stats from Reich's book? nt

[HEIL PRESIDENT GOD]

3. But I'm not a decent person

Not by their standards. Sorry, but I would do more harm than good if I adopted this tactitc. Republicans don't like me, not one of them ever has. I grew up having to fight them off with my fists.

I say it's better for us to make friends with homeless people, gang members, and others whom we have been taught to despise and fear, not with those who have been taught to despise and fear us.

[AndyTiedye]

4. There are fewer of them, but THEIR VOTES COUNT.

[AndyTiedye]

5. Never Had Even One Success Convincing Republicans

It's true, living in California and formerly in Massachussetts,
I don't get much practice.

[Hamlette]

6. I agree we will never convert them to our side

but we can heal the hatred if they come to see us as human beings.

And if you must fend off half the population with your fists, you are doing something wrong.

I know many religious people who are great people. One of them gave me a list by Robin Williams called the top ten reasons to be Episcapalian.

I have one friend who is a republican (who loved Clinton btw and voted for him). He's a VERY decent guy.

I just want them to not be able to put horns on me. When they think: "lets take rights away from atheisist" I want them to remember me and my family. Same with gays. Things got lots better for gays in this country when they started coming out of the closet. It's time for all of us to do it too.

Yes, the stats are from Reich's book.

[HEIL PRESIDENT GOD]

7. I disagree

"And if you must fend off half the population with your fists, you are doing something wrong."

People who stand for their principles against the majority are as right as those who stand with the majority. Victims of gangs of thugs are not to blame for being attacked.