Might I suggest a "Take a Republican to Lunch " Day?

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

We (Democrats and Republicans) cannot become the radicalized American version of the Sunnis and the Shiites in Iraq, or the Catholics and the Protestants in Ireland.

I'm not talking politics, I'm talking humanism. I work with Republicans, I know Republicans, I am related to some Republicans. I like many of them. A lot of them seem confused, disappointed and disenfranchised by their own party. Many are embarrassed by George Bush and his entire administration. A lot of them have relatives in a war they are now questioning.

I'm not saying take them to lunch to argue their talking points and our talking points and convert them. I'm saying, reconnect as the caring American human beings that we all could be who can realize that we will always disagree about some points, we will agree on others, and there will be a surprising amount that we overlap on.

Hate is an unnecessary ingrediant that is added by evil cooks to the stew. (Head chefs being Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage, Beck, et al)

[BlackHawk706867]

1. You know the only problem that I have with this is...

The Republicans have to come to grips with the fact that they have been duped by this Administration. George W Bush and his cronies used the Republicans just like they used the Religious right in America to get and hold what they want, and more importantly are trying to do; ie: Create and hold a Fascist America. When the Republicans realize this, then there can probably be peace between the Democrats and Republicans, but not until.

ww

[rurallib]

2. I have been in social situations with repubs

and at some point shortly into socializing we always get to the "you guys believe ..." minute and things go drastically downhill from there.
HOWEVER, I did have my Repubican (old fashioned Rep) finance guy ask me about health care the other day, who to vote for and what kind of plans they had. I went over them briefly, including the MSAs that the repugs are pushing. My finance guy & wife are paying $1,000/month for a $5,000 deductable.
Plus I serve on a board with another old-fashioned Repub who has said he may never vote R again.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

4. strange you should mention that

One of my dear Republican friends was absolutely aghast that family healthcare in an employer sponsored plan was going to still cost him $900 employee contribution per month.

Bingo! This is the issue that pushes them off the bus. Michael Moore is brilliant and his "Sicko" could not have been better timed.

[rurallib]

9. Nothing gets a repukes attention like someone taking money out of

their pockets.
Look you clowns we can all individually fork over huge bucks and get substandard care and possibly be bankrupted OR we can band together and forge a new health care system that takes care of all of us cheaper.

[Lasher]

3. How about 'Kick a Republican's Ass Day'?

I'll bet that would be more popular than Halloween.

[BushOut06]

5. I have a hard time even socializing with them

Try as you might, it's hard to talk to a repug for more than a few minutes before they drift off into some sort of ideological, religious, or just plain racist bullshit. Hell, if only poor people would just pull themselves up by their bootstraps, get a job, and go to church, their problems would be solved.

[ToeBot]

6. Not even if I could stick them with the tab. nt

[illinoisprogressive]

7. had lunch with one last week. She is supporting Obama and has registered dem to vote

[DBoon]

8. sure when I find one that fits in a brown bag

Should I have republicans on rye bread with mustard, or white bread with mayonnaise?

Decisions, decisions

[Infomaniac]

LOL

Definitely white bread. Rye bread is, you know, foreign. You could have the Hannibal Lechter special. A nice crusty loaf of italian bread, lathered with olive oil and oregano, with a few fave beans and a nice Chianti.

[Middle finga]

10. That's interesting

I might just try that where should I take a republican to eat? I was told that their favorite foods are bananas and wild vegetation.

[Make7]

11. "Take a Republican's Lunch " Day?

Perhaps we should do that every day.

I am 110% behind this idea.

:) Make7

[snowbear]

15. Why is that Make7?

'Splain your reasoning..

[Stop Cornyn]

12. Do you mean take 'em to lunch in a fava-beans-and-Chianti sense? Hmmm ...

[ChazII]

13. It is an idea

I am willing to try, especially as many in my area are upset with * right now.

[lligrd]

14. Worst Diet Plan Ever

very unappetizing.

[Norrin Radd]

16. Okay. Where do republics like to eat?

Probaby a McDonald's with a Playland, or Chuck E. Cheese.

Seriously, though, I think a lot of people who vote republican do so because they think identifying with that party gives one the appearance of being "tough," but they really aren't aware of the issues--that is, they don't follow these things like we do--and, if they were aware, they'd change their tune (and party).

[snowbear]

17. LOL.... Chuck E. Cheese !!

Too funny!

[Norrin Radd]

18. ;-)

[DFW]

19. I did go out to dinner with a Republican from our US HQ last year

Although he finally admitted that Bush was "not doing so great,"
he still had the standard lines to offer: liberals, liberals, liberals,
terrrrists, terrrrists, terrrrists, and socialism, taxes, military (no,
he has never served), etc etc etc. I could have written his whole dialogue
myself. This guy is for family values, even though at one point he left
his wife to have a very open affair. It ended and he came back, but he
was always quick to point out Monica and Bill as the height of impropriety.

We're still on civil terms, personally. I mean, this guy holds an important
ranking in my outfit, and has the blessing of the top brass, even though
they know he's often full of shit (I like my top brass!!). He does his job,
and doesn't bring his politics into his job.

It's hard to explain. Facts seem to be things to be twisted and bent, and
logic is only useful when it can be contorted to confirm whatever they want
facts to be. Saddam was probably in cahoots with bin Laden, ergo, the invasion
was not only justified but necessary etc etc. He truly believes this.

I don't hate the guy by any means, I'm just amazed he doesn't fill his car's
gas tank with water and expect it to run.

[Chemical Bill]

20. The next one that tells me...

that he doesn't believe any evidence that doesn't support his position would make me lose my lunch.

:puke:

Bill

[ItNerd4life]

21. I thought you were going to finish with

and then poison their food. I didn't know you were going to be serious. :P

[LWolf]

22. Sure! It would be great for my diet, lol.

Seriously, I, too, have lived and worked with, and been related to, and have friends that are Republicans. I know that they are real people, with real cares, and real opinions that are just as valid as anyone else's.

One of the smartest, most active, energetic women I've met since moving to a new state 2 years ago is a republican. She just shared that with me a few weeks ago. We have a professional relationship, with some connections outside the professional context. We've seen eye to eye on so many things over the last 2 years that I was truly shocked. She claims to be an "old style" republican; one who values personal responsibility, common sense, etc.. Er...so do I. Of course, I also equally value social responsibility. So does she. Where's the difference between us? Where we feel the balance has tipped between the 2.

We haven't discussed every issue under the sun. It's a professional relationship, and we have a job to do. I know, though, that she despises the war in Iraq and wants all that money, time, and attention spent on domestic issues. That's a great place to start, don't you think?

We have plenty to talk about. Those conversations aren't about candidates and elections, they are about getting reps of any party to listen and to take appropriate action.

[Jed Dilligan]

23. I just don't know any

:shrug:

I would have to go waaaay out of my way to befriend a Republican. I just don't think it's worth it.

Swing staters, though--I say "chow down"! And right about now it looks like they're ALL swing states.