My Grandma

[gyopsy]

She's as Republican as they come. We've always argued with her in the past but I would've liked to think she at least had some morals.

My parents went to eat brunch with her and my great aunt recently. My grandma picked the fight (knowing both my parents are liberal). She said she backs Bush completely because of his "anti-gay marraige" and "abortion" stances. She was saying things about how gay people are going to get what they deserve in the end.

I've lost a lot of respect for her. I can deal with (and do every day with people I work and go to school with) people being pro-bush because of his tax cuts but this takes things to a whole new level. I know for a fact she's pro-war as well.

Her and her friends have a rally cry for Bush. "B-U-S-H Bush, Bush, Bush."

I've never confronted her before and am wondering if I should now. But she is my elder and I don't think it's right to disrespect her. Anyone else have a family member who's life ideals frustrate them?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

1. my mother

shes a dem but homophobic. both my brother and i are gay. annoying!

[MissMarple]

2. Well you could just smile vacantly and say, That's nice dear.

And then change the subject. Or you could give her a hug and tell her not to worry her pretty little head about things like that. Who knows it might just work.

Usually with folks like that, that we just have to be around sometimes, it is no use to argue or try to reason. Sometimes I think they just like the impression they make.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

3. as a friend of mine once said

he wasnt too bright but ohh so cute "some people just dont like gay people" what can you do ????

[el_gato]

4. My grandma is really cool

and can't stand bush, she says he's gonna turn the U.S. into a third world country. She's in her mid 80's.

[Padraig18]

7. Yours sounds like mine.

But mine is almost 90. :)

[Catholic Sensation]

5. the B-U-S-H chant sounds like the chant the New York Jets fans use

[gyopsy]

6. It is...

almost exactly. And my grandmother is from New Rochelle, NY so it does make perfect sense.

[TSIAS]

8. That's a tough one

Luckily, the overwhelming majority of my family are liberal Democrats. Most of them are from the blue states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. My aunt and uncle used to be Republicans in the early 1990's, but they've reformed over the past decade. They're probably the only Democrats in Lee County, Florida (Naples area).

I have only one conservative in my family. I know you've met my aunt before. Technically, she's more of a Libertarian. She always voted 3rd Party for President until 2000, when she cast a vote for Bush. I don't mind talking politics with her. She isn't really a social conservative. She does watch a lot of FOX News and reads Sean Hannity books, but she's not belligerent like some conservatives.

I don't think it's wrong to question the logic behind her support of Bush. However, just understand that you probably won't change their mind. If I were trying to influence people, I'd focus more with your college aged friends. They're more likely to turn Democratic than your elderly Grandmother.