Amazing! Story of our roadtrip through a Red Town

[Kittycat]

Of course IL is a blue state, but growing up anywhere south of I-80, I think you'll find some pretty red roots. Yesterday, on our trip down to Fundy, IL (AKA My family get together), we stopped in a small farm town for Gas. While inside the station, there was another woman from the IL/Wisc border, clearly a proud democrat. And me, a Liberal *gasp*. Her and I were complaining in conversation regarding the gas prices actually being higher than in the Chicago Burbs. The clerk was right there with us, as we all agreed there was no legitimate reason for them to be so high.

The conversation ventured on to the lack of oversight and regulation on just about anything that benefited the overly rich, and corrupt republicans. There were a couple of other people, by this time that had joined in. So the count was 2 big city out-of-towners, and 3 small town locals - and we were all in agreement.

Just then, the clerk stated that she was ashamed to have voted for *. She stated in an agitated tone, "If I could take back my vote, I would!". Fed up, they were all tired of the lies, and lack of any checks and balances. The gas, she admitted, was her tipping point. She said, she works there, and knows the prices can even fluctuate between the vendors that bring the gas to the pumps. But there's no reason to see it this high, and no reason why they're changing the prices throughout the day like they do. She was also amazed to hear that their gas was more expensive than Chicago. That was a first for her, usually it's the other way around.

Regardless of what brought them to the point that it did. I was proud and very energized to be leaving that gas station, in the middle of No Where, IL - a once very red place, now, not so quietly turning Blue.

[boobooday]

1. More happy Midwestern news

I'm from one of those towns too. My brother's family (he's retired military) went out of their way yesterday to let me know they were sick of Bush and Republicans. We had many heated arguments on this topic up until about a year ago . . .

[blm]

3. Until a category 5 hurricane blew the cover off Bushboy so hard his media

protectors couldn't even help him.

[babylonsister]

2. Thank you, Kittycat! All these stories give me hope! nt

[gordianot]

4. This is an age old story.

Democrats are called to clean up a Republican mess. Then they forget.

[Arugula Latte]

11. Democrats get to do the hard but necessary work -- then they get blamed.

It's like one parent lets you stay up all night and eat whatever junk food you'd like, and then splits. In the morning, the other parent has to clean up the mess, and make you eat your vegetables and do your homework. Who is the more popular parent from the kid's perspective in the short term?

[Tsiyu]

19. Good analogy

So true

[tabasco]

15. Millions of gullible people.

The downfall of any nation.

We might be able to clean up Bush's disaster, but someday there will be a mess too big for us to clean up.

[gordianot]

16. We may be there now. "Might?" in this sense is right.

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

5. Great story, although...

it's sad so many people can't support what's right based only on principle. It's only when they're personally affected that they start to change their minds.

[Kittycat]

9. Agreed. But at least the tide is turning. n/t

[mdmc]

6. I enjoyed reading about your road trip

how was the reunion?

R/K

[Kittycat]

7. Great until my Pastor Uncle decided to talk about "the Gays & homos"

And how he's glad that it's "supposedly" a gene issue, because they can't reproduce and pass it on. So supposedly, "Gayness" will die with them :burnmad :ignorantjerk :wantedtothrowburninghotcoffeeonhim

My uncle, I should note, is completely ignorant. He's the pastor of a full gospel, non-denominational church that follows most penecostal rituals. He loves Dr. Dobson :puke: and he ran off most of his congregation off by rebuking children from the pulpit, and calling people sinners for missing service. He's a real piece of work. His daughter goes to a different church, and his son, at the age of 30, has only JUST moved out, even though he has a great job. He bought a house only 2 blocks from his parents, has never dated nor wants to - but he's not gay - so says his mother.

My father is also a pastor of his own church, only it's a bit more sane. Still as devout christian, but at least they've stopped witnessing to us.

Seeing my family though, is always nice (in doses). I'm very fortunate to have two grandmas and my papa still alive. They mean the world to me, so time with them is very precious right now. My aunt also made a HUGE Persian/Iranian dinner, which was just fantastic. And my grandmother brought me some Jalebi (Indian sweet), for a mother's day gift. What more could you ask for :) Except for them all to become democrats, LOL.

[mdmc]

8. so there was not much talk about the DaVinci code?

It sounds like a good feast and a pretty good time. Hang in there and thanks for sharing.

[Kittycat]

10. No. LOL - that would have been fun though

DH and I are going on vacation next week, and leaving the baby. It's actually on our list of things to do, since we don't have a sitter otherwise. The thought crossed my mind to mention it, but I quickly decided against it.

[mdmc]

13. perhaps during the summer family picnic?

:~)

[Kittycat]

17. Only if I host it, LOL. Then they would be here on my terms ;)

eom

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. It always has to affect THEIR pocketbooks BEFORE they care.

I'm glad the sheeple are waking up, but it's THEIR fault we're going through this.

[Midlodemocrat]

14. This is mean of me. But, too little, too late those who voted

for that madman. Our country is FUBAR and will take decades to recover from their Faux News leanings.

[Gman]

18. This has nothing to do with Jason Leopold or Will Pitt

Please do not K&R.