Democrats versus Republicans in the office

[hamsterjill]

Maybe it's because I'm turning 50 this week, or maybe it's that I'm cranky, but has anyone else noticed how very, very diverse the thinking has become between Democrats and Republicans when it comes to just about everything?

I'm the lone Demo in an otherwise Republican office. We're a small office and I'm the only "support" person.

No matter WHAT the topic matter, whatever the subject, I find that I think the opposite from the other people in my office who are all older white males who make a helluva lot more money than I do.

We can't even discuss the weather any more without heavy disagreement. On any discussion of the bailouts, etc., we are completely at odds as to what the solution or understanding might be. And we don't have fights, or get loud and we're not disrespectful. We just have extreme differences in the way we see the world. They see it from a different vantage point and it is very scary to me to think that the country as a whole might be becoming that way.

I remind them frequently (and take comfort in knowing myself) that Obama won by a majority. The country as a whole, I believe, agrees more with my points of view than with theirs. But they see it now as their obligation, their duty if you will, to oppose anything Democratic. They wouldn't agree with a concept of Democratic origin now if it was the best thing on earth.

I realize that this isn't a new situation, but all subjects seem so drastically divided by party lines these days where, before, it was only some subjects. Does anyone else feel this way or see this happening within their own offices, etc.?

These are people who I've known for decades!

[riqster]

1. I see it, too

The Right-Wing Scream Machine spent a few decades sowing diviseness, and we are seeing the fruit ripening to this day. Sad.

[Lasher]

2. I am a uniter, not a divider.

You're right but it didn't use to be this way. It all started with Saint Ronnie, who blamed Carter for his own failures, almost to the end of his eight years in office. Newt and The Hamper kicked it up a notch with their $91 million taxpayer funded Clinton Administration witch hunt that started in ernest in 1994 and was to last for 12 long years. And of course, The Uniter has really gone ballistic on this, never missing an opportunity to exploit a wedge issue.

In steady, quiet tones, the Vice President-elect laid out a shockingly divisive political agenda for the new Bush administration, glossing over nearly every pledge the Republican ticket had made to the American voter. President-elect Bush had promised that healing, but now we moderate Republicans were hearing Richard Cheney articulate the real agenda: A clashist approach on every issue, big and small, and any attempt at consensus would be a sign of weakness.

We would seek confrontation on every front. He said nothing about education or the environment or health care; it was all about these new issues that were rarely, if ever, touted in the campaign. The new administration would divide Americans into red and blue, and divide nations into those who stand with us or against us. I knew that what the Vice President-elect was saying would rip the closely divided Congress apart. We moderates had often voted with President Clinton on things that powerful Republican constituencies didn't like: an increase in the minimum wage, a patients' bill of rights, and campaign finance reform.

http://www.atlargely.com/2008/04/former-republic.html

[hamsterjill]

5. Cheney's blueprint

Very profound. Cheney gives a blueprint for the end product we have today.

And the country as a whole suffers because of one asswipe's greed. Not a new concept, but a concept that bears repeating regularly.

36 more days, right?

[Lasher]

8. Yes, 36 more days.

That's what it says on my Out of Office Countdown Calendar I got for Christmas last year.

It is Cheney that I loathe more than even Junior. He seethes pure evil.

[T Wolf]

3. The hateful and devisive environment that the pukes have created about EVERY subject, including the

weather, has convinced me that the unity that Obama has espoused is doomed to failure.

Repubs are simply unable to consider anyone other than themselves when looking at any issue.

To use a phrase, they have broken the "social contract" that all members of a group must accept in order to exist as a group. And they destroyed that social contract willingly and purposely in order to advance their own, personal well-being. Selfish does not even start to describe their attitude.

Thus, they are able to "have a gay friend" but oppose equal rights for homosexual people. Everything is reduced to their own, personal, individual level and they assess from that perspective.

Thus, they will never agree to do anything that benefits the nation as a whole or large numbers of "others" because, in their universe, "others" do not exist and are not to be considered in any decision that is made.

And Obama thinks he can work with these people? The fable of the scorpion and the fox is illustrative. And the only explanation you need to understand them.

If only our party understood this and acted accordingly. Instead, they continue to think that the GOPsters can be worthwhile partners in saving America.

[gratuitous]

4. First, the good news: You're smarter than they are

The bad news is that they might feel threatened because of it, so you have to be even smarter. Turn the conversation ever so slightly so that they can see the value to themselves in certain Democratic proposals. Yes, this or that idea might mean less in your pocket today (for example, additional spending on roads and infrastructure). But in the long run, having roads in good repair will lower your bills for the mechanic to replace your shocks or fix your flats. Safe bridges mean that you won't be taking your life in your hands every time you cross the river, like those poor folks in Minnesota on the I-35 bridge. And I'm guessing that the bridge didn't decide to collapse once all the wealthiest people were across; it just went when it went.

Be respectful, be knowledgeable, and above all be consistent. And don't be surprised (and above all, don't appear too smug) when they start making your case for you after a while. You supply the disagreement, and the assembled heads here can supply the facts and context for a counterargument.

[hamsterjill]

6. I do try to be respectful, knowledgeable and consistent

If they broach a particular subject that I don't feel confident about, then I make an excuse to leave the room. A pressing deadline, etc. I've learned that I'd better be ready with facts and figures on any subject that is addressed.

It is invariably THEY who try to start these discussions. As the lone Demo, I'm almost a novelty to them. They want to know what I think, but certainly not to be taken seriously.

Sadly, it will never matter how respectful, knowledgeable and consistent I may be, for these gentlemen, to them, I will always be "lower" on the totem pole than they are and therefore, in their minds, couldn't possible know more than they do. (Sarcasm, of course, as I full well believe that I have a better grasp of the reality of ordinary life on a daily basis than what they've ever had or will have in a lifetime.)

And I don't mean to be smug on that point either, but they have little understanding of those of us living paycheck to paycheck, worrying about family issues, etc. They are wealthy enough, at least at this point, to be above all of the economic fray. The real test will be if they are wealthy enough to sustain their standard of living through the end of all of this - and if they can come out on the other end unscathed. I think this is going to be interesting overall - the ones who think they are wealthy. But are they wealthy ENOUGH? Some of them may just get an education on the woes of the common people as this economic collapse continues and becomes more widespread.

[RiverStone]

7. They drank the kool aid and are unlikely to ever get it....

I also work in an office situation that is about 75% puke, and I have found that much of their world view has been loaded up with fear --- fear based politics is what Shrub and Shooter have been preaching for years.

It matters not if a point, from a Dem, has a logical conclusion - if it is filtered from a fear place - they do not hear me.

I simply try and model perspective, I did not gloat when Obama won - but I do not buy into their fear mongering either. I try and find like minded souls elsewhere, tho it is sad I have too few like minded folks to work with.

A small consolation for living in a very beautiful part of the country - rural WA state just along the east slopes of the Cascades - I can see the stars from here! Oh, I'm turning 50 in a few weeks too - how can we be 50 already!!!!?????

[hamsterjill]

10. 50!!! I know!

I still feel about 16, except when I look in the mirror. Time has flown, hasn't it? And although I don't think I'd wanna trade my "wisdom" for past "youth", I admit to having a little bit of a problem with this particular birthday.

Once I'm past it, I'll be fine.

[qwlauren35]

9. The Opposite is right here in DU.

If all you did was spend time here, you'd be convinced that the Republicans never came up with anything that was good or beneficial.

There are people in DU who couldn't say a good thing about Republican policies, ANY Republican policies, if you put a gun to their heads.

It makes it a lot harder to be one country...

Not Red States and Blue States, but the UNITED States.

Some folks didn't get the memo.

[hamsterjill]

11. Point Well Made

I'm sure you're right. But I sure hope I'm smart enough not to fall into that category. It is going to take nothing short of a miracle to dig us out of the hole that Bush has put us in. I hope MOST people can understand that we have got to learn to work together again. I'm not sure it's possible, but it is a necessity.

Also, it has to be true compromise. It cannot be one side (i.e., the Dems) giving in all the time. We've already had too much of that, too.

Hopeful and waiting!