Damn, I dread Thanksgiving this year, and other thoughts

[Ishoutandscream2]

I was working a football game, and my wife was out buying some things. My in-laws, all ardent wingnuts, were left with my three kids.

While both my wife and I were out, my mother in law was trying to sell the Republican bull to my seventh grade daughter. Rose told me that her grandma said, "Obama will raise taxes on your mommie and daddy." Rose is an strong Obama supporter, but being the respectful young lady that she is, did not say anything.

My wife and I mentioned to Rose that our taxes were not going up according to Obama's plan. As a matter of fact, we would save money under his plan. But we also pointed out that paying taxes is what a good citizen does, and as long as we have representation, then it's all good. Taxes take care of roads, build schools and libraries, and provide services for all people. We also said that we didn't need to rub it in at work and school on Wednesday. We mentioned that Obama's campaign is about hope and bringing people together. In our very red community, we will hear lots of garbage. This is one time, we said, to turn the other cheek.

Well, all these in laws will be at Thanksgiving. My wife and I, am sure, will catch hell. I'm also sure we'll hear some pretty racist stuff and jokes about an "n word" president. I'll have to sequester myself in another room and watch the Cowboy game. It will be tough, I'm sure.

Other notes - driving in my red community, following a green Honda Accord. There was pink sticker on the trunk door, with that picture of Sarah Palin that we have all seen. On it, it said "Sarah Palin" and when I got closer at the stop light, it said "Vice President." No mention of McCain at all. Have any of ya'll seen this? Talk about "rogue." Oh, and my mother in law told Rose that she didn't care for McCain, but she sure likes Palin. My mother in law, the successful lawyer. WTF?

I have been getting a few anti Democratic and Obama stuff on my emails at work from friends. They haven't been too harmful - none of the Muslim or terrorist stuff. However, if I sent anti McCain or Bush stuff in a reply (which I did in 2004), I could once again be called on the carpet. I remember my boss mentioning to me in 04, "ISAS, you have a motive." And I replied no, it seemed that someone else had a motive. Now, I'm finding people finally speaking out and saying they are Democrats and supporting Obama. Did they leave the losing team and join the bandwagon? I don't know, but it is kinda nice that we don't have to whisper anymore.

Well, there's my thoughts for the day. Have a great week, and don't party too hard Tuesday night. Oh, and my wife and I already voted. We had no waits - sorry for all of those who had to wait hours on end. But thanks for doing that!

[Tellertubby]

1. Not me

For the first time in eight years I have something to be thankful for.

And if someone at my table doesn't like it, they can kiss my Democratic ass!!!!!

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. !!!

:applause: :hi:

[Ishoutandscream2]

5. Oh, no question I will be thankful

But I tell ya, it will be very tense. And when the "n word" stuff comes out, I might fucking explode.

[CrispyQ]

2. Here's another thread about Rogue Palin:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3578823

No McCain signs anywhere at her rally. :rofl:

Good for you on your civics lesson to your daughter regarding taxes! I wish more people viewed taxes that way. I have a friend who is going to vote McCain because he will cut their taxes. His plan will save them approximately $1000 a year. I pointed out that under McCain, the economy will probably do worse & loss of income will cost her family much more than any taxes she may pay under Obama, but she is voting strictly for her own welfare, community be damned. This is how successful the republican spin machine has been in making Americans resentful of paying taxes.

Ironically, she sent me an email asking if I would purchase a Christmas wreath through her kid's high school band. I wanted to point out that there was a time that extra curricular activities were funded with taxes, but since she & others like her are so resentful of paying taxes, these activities now have to privately funded. :eyes: However, for the sake of our relationship, I did not.

As for T-day with your family, I would tolerate anything but the n-word. I would draw the line there. If anyone says it, make your feelings known. Sometimes we dems take tolerance too far. Some things should not be tolerated.

[Ishoutandscream2]

6. I have had to walk out of the room

I told my wife I didn't want my kids exposed to that kind of stuff. It's been fairly tame at times because their guy has been in the White House. However, there is the occasional "welfare queen" bullshit. But with a Democratic president elect, who happens to be black, there's no telling what might happen. I hope my in laws will respect my wife and I at least and refrain from that kind of garbage. We'll see.

[BoneDaddy]

4. My and my wife's family are ardent Obama supporters

the only nut job in the family is my mother's cousin who loses every debate she enters into.

[MiniMe]

7. One good thing, the election will be over

Of course, that won't stop the snark.

I would be really tempted to say "Obama won, get over it", but that isn't going to help the situation. Just remember, "I prefer not to discuss politics on Thanksgiving" and stick to that answer, even if it is through gritted teeth.

[Ishoutandscream2]

9. Good point, and thanks

[seabeyond]

8. our repugs in my family is keeping mouth shut. i have not heard ONE mention of either candidate

this year from any of the repugs. as long as they keep their mouth shut, i keep my mouth shut. i have signs in yard, bumperstickers on car....

nothing from any of them

[morillon]

10. Wow. How dare they propagandize your child that way?

I've been known to cut off family members who did hostile shit to me and mine, and something like this would seriously tempt me.

At any rate, you have my sympathy. Good luck.

[Ishoutandscream2]

11. Well, I live in red hell

And my wife and I are out of the mainstream, so to speak. It really is pretty standard down here.

You know what the incredible thing is - I still love them. They are misguided fools, yes, but I do love them. And so does my wife, even though she is saying they are driving her more and more crazy every day.

[Warpy]

12. Rose is a wise child

She knows it's not her job to educate grandparents and that people she loves are often wrong. You did a good job. That's something to be thankful for.

I lived near churchy inlaws when I was married. They knew they got one holiday, either Thanksgiving or Xmas, but not both. They chose Xmas. That meant Thanksgiving was spent with friends who were dodging their families or too far away to go "home." I have great Thanksgiving memories. Xmas, not so much.

Just take a step back and realize that some people are going to have to be buried in adverse events before they'll admit they've been wrong about anything. Tell them you don't want to talk about politics. If Obama wins, and he should, your inlaws will likely want to avoid the subject, too.

I agreed to disagree with my folks when I was 20. I am delighted to say that my dad's last vote was for Kerry, the first Democrat he'd voted for since Adlai Stevenson. Maybe your inlaws will come around and maybe they won't.

It's just not your job. Rose knows that, too.

[roody]

13. Here is an idea. Don't attend!

Do something you and your loved ones really enjoy. Declare your independence.

[endless october]

14. that's why i don't talk politics with family and friends

at least not very much. for some reason, most people can't handle it when they find out a close friend is a polar opposite politically.

it's never bothered me. i have friends who are libertarians, neocons, democrats, and one who's a communist.

in a thousand years, my friends and i will all be dead and no one will remember our names. it won't matter that they disagreed with me. so i'm not ruining a friendship over it. if i want to talk politics, i usually just do it online or with people i've just met.