Have you noticed that apolitical people are suddenly talking politics?

[BattyDem]

My neighbor surprised me today. I've known the guy for about 14 years. We're not close friends, but we see each other almost everyday and we usually engage in some casual conversation. Nice guy.

Anyway, I saw him today and I said "Hello" and commented on the beautiful day. His response surprised me. He said, "Well, it would be beautiful, but the gas ... they're killing us!" We talked a bit and compared notes about our "fill-up costs" and again he said, "They're killing us. They don't care what happens. We should get rid of them all! Bush is killing us."

In 14 years, I have never heard this guy talk about the government or politics or any kind of "issue". He's always been very laid back and friendly; always in a good mood. But today ... he was bitter and pissed off!


He's not the only one. Over the last couple of months, I've had similar experiences with other people. They have never talked about the government or the state of our country, and suddenly, they're paying attention and getting angry. :bounce:

[lvx35]

1. I've seen the same thing.

$3.09 gas definatly gets people's attention, but its also beyond that...My apolitical boss, a basic sports fan type, turned to me the other day when Bush came on TV and said "Whenever that guy opens his mouth he sounds like such an idiot". ITs widespread and deep.

[Wickerman]

2. Gas is a part of nearly every casual conversation I have these days

As much as weather is a standard topic, so now is gas. And people are pissed. They aren't happy we have two oilmen in the WH.

Good on your neighbor

[rockymountaindem]

3. Someone here made an interesting point the other day

I can't remember who it was, but someone said that America is one of the few countries where most people consider it impolite to discuss politics. If that's true, perhaps all these people aren't apolitical, just being polite. I live in a highly Republican area, and a lot of times when I do get on the topic of politics, the other person I'm talking with will say all these liberal things, and I'll say liberal things, and soon enough we wisper "are you a Democrat? Yeah? Brother!!!" We need to develop a secret handshake, IMHO :)

[Caoimhe]

7. that's just sweet

i really wish that would happen to me

[rockymountaindem]

16. I think it's a shame we have to wisper

But it's a lot easier if strangers can't tell you're a Democrat. One day I saw someone driving around with a huge "Impeach Bush" sticker. I immediately knew he wasn't from nearby.

[Old and In the Way]

4. What we should have are DU business cards.

A Nice DU logo, the address, our alias, maybe some good links, or famous sayings by Tom Jefferson or Ben Franklin.

Keep a few in the wallet for those moments like this. Invite them in to theDU for a chat. Then hook 'em. :evilgrin:

[Erika]

5. This is happening in red states all the time

They all just thought that the GOP was the way to go. Now they've realized the way they chose to go was down the toilet. And they voted for him and enabled him to do so.

[havocmom]

14. Been happening around here BIG TIME for about a year

And folks don't generally talk politics at all in these parts. Now, they walk into a room and just make announcments about the horrible things going on and why they no longer support the GOP.

[iconoclastNYC]

6. Is is crucial for us to learn

How to engage non-political people and get them involved in political awareness.

I am tryign to learn how to do this. I'm nowhere near knowing how. But it's a goal and I think that the DNC should help us attain these skills.

[BattyDem]

9. I think it's all in the timing

6 months ago, I tried not to say anything political to anyone (unless I knew that they shared my point of view) because when I did, people would get nasty and/or defensive. It was weird. If I said something negative about Bush, they'd automatically attack Clinton or Gore to get back at me - it's like they took the slightest bit of criticism about Bush as a personal attack on them.

But now ... people are bringing it up without any encouragement from me and when I mention something negative about Bush, they want to know more.

Maybe there's hope for this country after all. :-)

[CAG]

8. Not to flame these people too bad, because its nice to see them coming

around, but why is it they only care when its THEIR pocketbook being affected, or THEIR hardship. When its somebody else's kid dying in Iraq, or somebody else's job being moved to Pakistan, or somebody else's chemotherapy bill being too high to treat their cancer, then its "oh, well, s&^t happens!"

[BrklynLiberal]

10. Excellent question. I also noticed that many people in my area were

not complaining until the gas prices started going up...so until it hit them personally, in their own pocketbooks, it just did not matter!!!

How sad, other people's children and brothers and sisters and Moms and Dads dying for nothing did not bother them as much as a hit to their pocketbooks.

The total disintegration of our way of life and destruction of our Constitutioin meant nothing until it hit their wallets! How pathetic.
Makes me think we got what we deserved.

[BattyDem]

12. That pretty much sums up the difference between liberals and conservatives

Conservatives care as much as it affects them.
Liberals care ... period.

:-)

[BrklynLiberal]

13. Excellent way to describe the difference!

:thumbsup:

[BattyDem]

11. It's like the saying goes ...

People are only conservative until it affects them personally.

[havocmom]

15. Folks around here were grumbling about outsourceing & layoffs

although they are all unaffected by that sort of thing, being ranchers and farmers. They have been PLENTY concerned about the hits the 'other guy' is taking and they are damned pissed about troops in danger for lies and profits.

[justice1]

17. Local vs. National politics might be a way to describe it.

Having lived in rural Nebraska for years, I would say they "value" their community. While every town has people that are out for themselves, most people here aren't like that. If someone does need treatment for chemo, or their home catches on fire, fundraisers are common for the families.

While residents are "current" on local and state politics, they probably don't follow national politics, as much as other areas of the country.