Is anyone beside me disgusted with Dems and others who are STILL

[saracat]

afraid to commit to the Democratic Party publicly or even just support a candidate? I am STILL meeting people( while campaigning for DH) who say they support us but won't put up a yard sign because of their neighbors(And that was a Dem!) or will tell people to vote for us in private but don't want to be seen with us in public! (that was a Republican friend!)And then, I am also meeting those that don't want to be "politcal, and don't want anyobnne to talk to them or promote DEmocratic candidates, though they are Democrats and work for an AIDS support group! And says the patients don't vote either! What does it take? Most of these are bright people.I just don't get it!

[Anakin Skywalker]

1. Some People Just Don't Want

to have to deal with the crackpots throwing hate their way and worse yet committing property crime or physical assault on them.

Understandable. Besides, in the end, it's who they vote for at the polls that matters.

[saracat]

4. But if they don't get others to vote it doesn't matter!

We need visability to win! Sorry, I do not believe your values mean that much to you if you can't stand up for them.

[patricia92243]

6. You are describing me! I live in a red state, I'm old, and I'm afraid of

the Republican hate. The Republican spin doctors have whipped them into a furor of hate that will erupt into violence if given any provocation.

In other words, LOT of them are nuts!!

[vi5]

2. I'm that way....

I just don't like to publicize politics and I don't like it when other people do it. There are plenty of people I'm friends with and friendly with and like to keep it that way. And honestly if I found out that some of them were rabid republicans I would think less of them and it would affect my friendships and I don't want that.

I'll donate money, I'll stuff envelopes, I'll do whatever. But I won't wear my politics on my sleeve beyond the ways and values with which I live my life.

[saracat]

5. Wow! I have no relationships that mean more to me than the state of this

nation. I have Republican friends but they know where I stand. And if they don't like it, they can no longer be my friend. I can't imagine being friends with a person who didn't accept my fundamental values, and I can't see how one could consider someone a friend if they didn't know what they stood for. But each to his own.JMHO.

[Cerridwen]

3. The propaganda has been effective...

20 years of right wing radio telling any who would care to listen, what a bunch of pinko, commie, socialists the liberals and therefor the Democrats are.

About 80 years of equating progressive ideals with socialism and communism; with liberals and with Democrats.

Distortion of progressive or liberal ideals.

Catapulting the concept of capitalism as the great equalizer; rags to riches stories, work hard become rich, Horatio Alger, the "American Dream" etc.

And finally, fear...fear caused because we've worked hard and we aren't rich, realization that Horatio Alger was a fictional character, the "American Dream" has become a nightmare of debt and bankruptcy for many. Fear that because "I" haven't achieved those things that I must not have God's good grace or surely these things would have happened for me. Fortunately there are just enough who appear to have have succeeded due to God's good grace, those of us who haven't, are seen as, and judge ourselves as failures, morally unworthy, lazy, stupid, etc. Fear, self-contempt, shame.

Ah yes, mustn't be seen as an unsuccessful, commie, pinko, bleeding heart...

[ginnyinWI]

7. and since everybody is hiding,

the other side gets to claim that they are in the majority. Sigh. And would-be Democratic voters won't vote Dem because they don't think Dems can win, and they do want to be on the winning "team". That's more important to some people than the principles the party stands for!

I'm in a repub area and I do have a sticker on my car and signs in my yard when I can get them (although that's not so important on my dead-end street). We must become visible, even if we are outnumbered 2-to-1 as I am here.

[FrenchieCat]

8. I'm starting to think...whatever it takes! Let them vote Dem in secret...

as long as they vote Dem.....after all, that why it's supposed to be a "secret" ballot. :shrug:

Those types of folks are the kind that will only be seen with a "winner". They are afraid of being wrong, of been seen supporting the underdog......in case the underdog loses.

Once Democrats take back power, many will be proud to call themselves that. Guess it is the Peer pressure affecting adults like it does kids.

[mmonk]

9. Cowardice. They allow themselves to feel marginalized

because of all the hate speech and propaganda. A dangerous trend IMO.