A strange thing happened today

[spotbird]

Here in the heartland people just plain don’t admit to being Democrats. Recently the party has revived itself and I’ve had a few meetings at my home which were well attended. There were notices in the paper which had my name and address so I have been officially outed. Anyway, I was at an event with a woman who I have always found agreeable but not friendly when she kept approaching me in a way she had never before. Eventually we were alone and she asked what I’ve been up to lately. I recognized this as a loaded question because she must know, but I told her of my efforts of behalf of the Party. I was stunned by her reply, this Junior Leaguer said she is a Democrat and afraid for the future. I asked if she was ready to come out yet and she said she still had too much to lose. But I could tell that she wants to, it is just so hard when you will be judged so harshly by the people you spend most of your time with. I told her I understood and that I chose to make my feelings known because my continued silence implied some sort of shame about my political beliefs. At this point being liked by people that I don’t respect pails in comparison to what is at stake. She will come out I know it; why else would she have come to me? We are having lunch next week.

People are getting afraid that silence really is harmful, but becoming political when you have always left that to others is very difficult.

[nini]

1. don't admit to being democrats?

is it really that bad?

I shove it down people's throats every chance I get.

I bet there's more of you than you realize. Good for getting the ball rolling!

[madrchsod]

4. yup..alot of us out here

in the heartland don`t declare who we will vote for ..alot of places poltics is off limits . i just the way things are, we just work alittle slower when it comes to changing people`s minds..what`s great about bush he`s losing voters without us doing anything but saying -"ya, got to vote him out". it`s up to the democrats to come up with a solution to our problems and be realist about what can be done and how long it will take. we are not star struck .

[Lars39]

2. Are you in a small town?

There can be huge ramifications if you step on the wrong(Repub) toes.
Stepping out politically in these instances can be very brave.

[GainesT1958]

7. And very risky...

From personal former experiences...small-town politics, especially small-town Repubs, can be even more vindictive than Dub & Co.--and take it out on you a lot more personally. :scared:

You--and she--are brave for what you're doing, and I've got this feeling that, over the next year, it won't take as much bravery to stand up and be counted as a proud Democrat in the open! :D

B-)

[Lars39]

9. I haven't been able to do as much as I'd like to because of

my husband's business. We weren't born here, so we've already got one strike against us. Vindictive is the correct word. :)

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. This is reminiscent of many a police state

And it is not funny.

[RandomKoolzip]

5. Christ, where do you live?

That is really not funny at all. I weep for this country.... "Coming out" as a democrat....

[TennesseeWalker]

6. You nailed it.

The same down here in Tennessee. People really want the things dems want to give, but feel persecuted and afraid to speak out.

[maggrwaggr]

8. Some of my friends think I'm nuts for being on DU

and I live in Santa Monica.

Ashcroft's got everybody pretty fucking scared of speaking out, especially in ways that can be traced and recorded (like this!!)

Many of my friends just shake their heads like I'm some kind of fool for speaking my mind "on the internet".

It's sad.

[MissMarple]

10. It's hard, especially if you have children in the local schools.

Small town politics can be brutal. Being supportive and pushing the edges is important. However, people are still afraid, most are so apolitical they think everything is "Just Fine!, thank you very much." That sounds a bit defensive. Hmm...?

The lack of critical thinking skills is killing us. Having said that, the heartland is where they most indigeously survive, albiet in quietude. So, baby girl, walk softly and carry a very diplomatic and patient big stick. Good luck.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

11. I am not...

Afraid. They can kill me, but they can't eat me. I'll just make them sick if they do.