In the Closet Republican

Tammy - posted on 07/01/2009

Quoting Heather:

yes i go to college so enough said. I might as well have leprosy.

LOL!  I think they'd probably like you better if you DID have leprosy.

Tammy - posted on 07/01/2009

Oh absolutely. My grandmother sits in front of CNN 24 hours a day practically. She just swallows everything they say and spits it back at you if you try to talk to her. She has this whole "respect your elders" thing so you can't argue with her, but what she believes is pure hogwash. My FIL is black and you should hear him spout the black/liberal/socialist/baaaaa party line! DH and I feel like we can't even talk around our families sometimes without someone jumping down our throats with both feet. Luckily, my brother and SIL and his sister and BIL are all serious conservatives. We just go off in our own corner and have a good old time together! It's just sad to see so much of the family has drunk the kool-aid and doesn't even know how sadly deluded they are.

Gina - posted on 06/21/2009

Quoting Karen:

Quoting Pattie:

I have to say that I find it VERY challenging to vocalize my political affiliation in my neighborhood, at school (I'm getting my teaching license) and during my student teaching. I also have a hard time talking about religion because sooooo many people have a problem with Catholics. I had the principal of one of the public high school apologize to me when I mentioned that I was sending my son to the Catholic one. I tend to be a little quiet in my political views so that I can bring various points up as a question and hopefully, make them think. Most of the dems/liberals I know shut down and won't listen to anything a vocal conservative says. I have offended and chased away enough liberals in my day. I am finding that by being a little sly, I can at least get under their guard a bit and perhaps make a difference.

I know what you mean. I had a very hard time teaching. I was never able to mention regligion (and I'm Catholic too), or politics. I was always singled out on purpuse. I used to ask my students to think for themselves instead of just repeating what other teachers told them. This used to get them thinking a bit and encouraged them to do their own research and form their own opinions. The other teachers didn't like that I did that, and eventually administrators found out about it too and I was sent some not so pleasant emails about it. I agree, it's very difficult being an educator while also being a Catholic and a conservative. Good luck and keep your chin up. You'll find that there are some rewards with teaching.

Karen, I wish there were more teachers out there like you. That's the problem with kids now, they are taught to follow the crowd and not think for themselves.

Karen - posted on 06/20/2009

Quoting Pattie:

I have to say that I find it VERY challenging to vocalize my political affiliation in my neighborhood, at school (I'm getting my teaching license) and during my student teaching. I also have a hard time talking about religion because sooooo many people have a problem with Catholics. I had the principal of one of the public high school apologize to me when I mentioned that I was sending my son to the Catholic one. I tend to be a little quiet in my political views so that I can bring various points up as a question and hopefully, make them think. Most of the dems/liberals I know shut down and won't listen to anything a vocal conservative says. I have offended and chased away enough liberals in my day. I am finding that by being a little sly, I can at least get under their guard a bit and perhaps make a difference.

I know what you mean. I had a very hard time teaching. I was never able to mention regligion (and I'm Catholic too), or politics. I was always singled out on purpuse. I used to ask my students to think for themselves instead of just repeating what other teachers told them. This used to get them thinking a bit and encouraged them to do their own research and form their own opinions. The other teachers didn't like that I did that, and eventually administrators found out about it too and I was sent some not so pleasant emails about it. I agree, it's very difficult being an educator while also being a Catholic and a conservative. Good luck and keep your chin up. You'll find that there are some rewards with teaching.

Pattie - posted on 06/20/2009

I have to say that I find it VERY challenging to vocalize my political affiliation in my neighborhood, at school (I'm getting my teaching license) and during my student teaching. I also have a hard time talking about religion because sooooo many people have a problem with Catholics. I had the principal of one of the public high school apologize to me when I mentioned that I was sending my son to the Catholic one. I tend to be a little quiet in my political views so that I can bring various points up as a question and hopefully, make them think. Most of the dems/liberals I know shut down and won't listen to anything a vocal conservative says. I have offended and chased away enough liberals in my day. I am finding that by being a little sly, I can at least get under their guard a bit and perhaps make a difference.

Karen - posted on 06/19/2009

Yes, and because of it, I no longer discuss politics anymore with anyone. It's sad.

Lindsay - posted on 06/15/2009

I am angry and not just because a democrat won, i get thats how it works. Power shifts all the time and thats a good thing but i don't like how the media picked our president. They attacked hillary through the whole democrat primary and gave obama a free pass. They didn't do the basic background check and when shady things from his past came up they ignored them. Thats what pisses me off, had it been ANY other democrat I would still be annoyed but not angry.

Judy - posted on 06/15/2009

I believe we are all getting more vocal and angry...at LONG last! I've been a Republican since I turned 18 and hav ebeen questioned and laughed at for almost forty years by my peers! Now I can't call myself a Repub anymore since they have sort of dissolved what it means to be a Repub...I AM a conservative and vote according;y and it just tickles me that conservative women are gaining their voices. We must affect a change or suffer under a communistic regime(that I believe is already to be put in place). We are all rare birds in that it is we who have quietly supported and kept conservatism alive around our family tables. Guess we need to branch out and stand...

Rochelle - posted on 06/15/2009

Hi Erica
Actually I think I need to clarify some misconceptions here . First off, it is not that rare to find a pro-life black woman. Most black women I know ARE pro-life, and some even have conservative moral (though often not fiscal) values. To me there is a disconnect there. If you say that abortion and gay marriage is wrong and claim to be a Christian (as many of them are) how in good conscience can you vote for someone who supports all of these things? I asked that question of my own sister (an Obama supporter who in the past has voted Republican). Her answer was "I don't agree with a lot of what he stands for but I believe he would be a good president. Plus,Obama is not pro-abortion. Just pro-choice which means if he could he would stop women from choosing to have an abortion but he does not want to interfere with their free will. Even as Christians, God gives us free will." This is such a weak bogus argument... that I also heard from many white Christian Obama supporters as well. I go to a racially mixed church with a white pastor and when he dealt honestly with these issues without compromising, there were some, black and white who got offended and walked out of the service that day. I don't get it. My hair dresser is christian, pro-life, pro-heterosexual only marriage (has been married to the same man for over 40 years) and is also an upper middle class business owner and yet she did not even give it a second thought as to who she was voting for. She has always voted democrat and this was no exception although she was a Hillary supporter initially. So, I don't think it is because they are not pro-life or pro-family, Many just don't ever think any deeper about it then their traditions or what the mainstream media is telling them. Or they see Republicans as a class of out of touch old rich white males who control everything and oppress everyone who is not like them. This is how the media has been successful in brainwashing the public, especially during this last election. It is not black women who are pro-life are rare. The ones who aren't are just more vocal and angry.

Christa - posted on 06/14/2009

Quoting Rochelle:

Try being a black conservative. Both my husband and I are Conservative and vote accordingly. We consider ourselves Conservatives rather than Republicans anymore since so much of the Republican party has lost its way and are trying to be Democrats. Still we are treated as if we have the plague and we are among only a sliver of a percent of black people in America who are Conservative. I suspect there are some closet black conservative Republicans out there who are afraid to stand up for fear of being ostracized. What really irked me in this election were the number of good Christian, hard working, prolife, pro-family black people (including my own family who mostly voted for Bush) with otherwise conservative moral values who compormised and voted for Obama just to have the first black president. I say, who care what he looks like if he does not reflect my values and beliefs, and electing someone of integrity and honor who has the conutried best interest at heart is more important than making history. I guess I am a rare bird.

AMEN!  I am so sick of hearing if you didn't vote for him then you are a racist.  Maybe he just wasn't the best choice. :-)

Erica - posted on 06/14/2009

Quoting Rochelle:

Try being a black conservative. Both my husband and I are Conservative and vote accordingly. We consider ourselves Conservatives rather than Republicans anymore since so much of the Republican party has lost its way and are trying to be Democrats. Still we are treated as if we have the plague and we are among only a sliver of a percent of black people in America who are Conservative. I suspect there are some closet black conservative Republicans out there who are afraid to stand up for fear of being ostracized. What really irked me in this election were the number of good Christian, hard working, prolife, pro-family black people (including my own family who mostly voted for Bush) with otherwise conservative moral values who compormised and voted for Obama just to have the first black president. I say, who care what he looks like if he does not reflect my values and beliefs, and electing someone of integrity and honor who has the conutried best interest at heart is more important than making history. I guess I am a rare bird.

Welcome to the forum! Indeed you are a rare bird but even rarer still is that you are a black woman with conservative pro-life views! How has this affected friendships or did you admit to any of your friends during the elections of your views?

Brenda - posted on 06/14/2009

Quoting Rochelle:

Try being a black conservative. Both my husband and I are Conservative and vote accordingly. We consider ourselves Conservatives rather than Republicans anymore since so much of the Republican party has lost its way and are trying to be Democrats. Still we are treated as if we have the plague and we are among only a sliver of a percent of black people in America who are Conservative. I suspect there are some closet black conservative Republicans out there who are afraid to stand up for fear of being ostracized. What really irked me in this election were the number of good Christian, hard working, prolife, pro-family black people (including my own family who mostly voted for Bush) with otherwise conservative moral values who compormised and voted for Obama just to have the first black president. I say, who care what he looks like if he does not reflect my values and beliefs, and electing someone of integrity and honor who has the conutried best interest at heart is more important than making history. I guess I am a rare bird.

You are absolutely right!  You are awesome staying true to your values and views.  "Rare birds" are wonderful!!

Rochelle - posted on 06/14/2009

Try being a black conservative. Both my husband and I are Conservative and vote accordingly. We consider ourselves Conservatives rather than Republicans anymore since so much of the Republican party has lost its way and are trying to be Democrats. Still we are treated as if we have the plague and we are among only a sliver of a percent of black people in America who are Conservative. I suspect there are some closet black conservative Republicans out there who are afraid to stand up for fear of being ostracized. What really irked me in this election were the number of good Christian, hard working, prolife, pro-family black people (including my own family who mostly voted for Bush) with otherwise conservative moral values who compormised and voted for Obama just to have the first black president. I say, who care what he looks like if he does not reflect my values and beliefs, and electing someone of integrity and honor who has the conutried best interest at heart is more important than making history. I guess I am a rare bird.

Traci - posted on 06/11/2009

My family is pretty mixed, but I loooove a good debate! Doesn't bother me any! I usually end up winning, I think :)

Michelle - posted on 06/11/2009

I work in a library, which tends to run democrat. I am also a student in college... which most colleges tend to be liberal and have no fear of pushing their liberal beliefs on students. It really ticks me off when they do that too. And now with this whole hate crime agenda going on, it's going to get to a point where we'll be afraid to say we are conservative, republican, right wing or christian because those things are being portrayed now as hate groups. It's sickening.

Shannon Cassidy- - posted on 06/11/2009

My Imediate family, husband, Mother , father, brother, sisters, and sister- inlaw, are all Conservatives, even my aunts and uncles and most of my cousins are all conservative. Thank God I don't have to deal with that.

Erica - posted on 06/10/2009

Quoting Lindsay:

Maybe not full on conservative but most Americans don't want the govt telling them what they can do. Most Americans want to keep their hard earned money. There are different levels of being conservative. The OM group isn't that active and I think our group has more members that actually post. I would rather have a smaller group with people that post than a group with fillers.

I agree that there is definitely different levels of conservative. Many liberals believe that a majority of Republicans are bible bashing Christians pushing their beliefs on everyone when in fact I know aeithist conservatives! I also know many conservatives who believe in God but are not active in religion. I just find that liberals are extremely domineering in their beliefs and seem to push it on others especially those who are younger.

Lindsay - posted on 06/10/2009

Maybe not full on conservative but most Americans don't want the govt telling them what they can do. Most Americans want to keep their hard earned money. There are different levels of being conservative. The OM group isn't that active and I think our group has more members that actually post. I would rather have a smaller group with people that post than a group with fillers.

Christa - posted on 06/10/2009

Quoting Lindsay:

I take great joy at being overly republican around my liberal sister. It annoys her and as the little sister im just doing my job.
I have found that there are a lot of conservatives around but we just don't feel the need to rant about it all the time. There are more conservatives in America than liberals. Sure obama won but not because of his beliefs.

I don't know about more than liberals, but there are definitely more then the MSM would like us to believe.  I know I get the feeling like I am totally out numbered when watching the news or even here, the OM are twice the size of our group.  But I think it's really that conservatives just keep quiet, work hard and take care of their families.  They aren't out going to rallies and protests.  I heard during the election people were making such a big deal about all the turn out Obama got at his appearances and McCain didn't get as much and the joke was "that's because all the conservatives actually work". :-)

Christa - posted on 06/10/2009

I'm fortunate my whole family is very conservative, however my husband’s family is a bit more liberal but we don't see them that much and thankfully it has never come up. But I have worked in healthcare (obviously very liberal) and I was the only repub during the Bush/Kerry election. I however am not shy and I feel very strongly in my beliefs so I have no problem taking on a room of liberals. Although I will say that experience is really what through me into politics. You have to make sure you know what you are talking about or they will eat you alive. I make sure now I don't take on the fight unless I'm sure I have my facts in order. :-)

Lindsay - posted on 06/10/2009

I take great joy at being overly republican around my liberal sister. It annoys her and as the little sister im just doing my job.

I have found that there are a lot of conservatives around but we just don't feel the need to rant about it all the time. There are more conservatives in America than liberals. Sure obama won but not because of his beliefs.

Rebecca - posted on 06/10/2009

yes, i do. I am very conservative and I'm a born again Christian so I often feel I don't fit in with my family quite as much as I used to. And in the world we live in today, it seems like there are so many liberals, at times it can seem like you are an outcast.

Nicole - posted on 06/10/2009

Yes and I think it is worse now w/ Obama as president! It just seems now your not entitled to your own opinion or views anymore. I actually started noticing this after the Bush/Kerry election. It seemed like if you didn't follow what everyone elses beliefs were you were critisized. I'm a hairstylist and it seems like most stylists are democrats which ok fine but to be openly anti republican is supposed to be forbidden...no politics, no religion. Well at that time I worked in a highend salon where 90% of the clients were conservative (and also the owners who did a great job hiding it). One day I had to borrow my moms car (she was a huge supporter of Bush) and it had his campaign sticker on the bumper. You can imagine the critisism and complaints I heard until after the election! It just isn't right. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs, don't force yours on those who don't support them, you know?

Gina - posted on 06/09/2009

I think that goes for your religious beliefs as well. I have always felt like that for my religious beliefs. Luckily where I live most people are conservative, and the majority feel the same way I do about politics. Whenever I watch a new movie that's come out, I notice the hidden inuendos in them trying to get people to think a certain way about politics, and religion.

Heather - posted on 06/09/2009

yes i go to college so enough said. I might as well have leprosy.