Dissention in the Ranks

My wonderful husband, the only man in the world for me, is not very politically minded. This in actuality turns out to be a good thing for us. Had he been a liberal democrat, we just would have argued all the time. If he was a very strong conservative republican, we would be too radical for anyone to be able to stand us as a couple.

As it stands, he tones down my hot-headed, media offended side. He keeps me from being mad at the world all the time. I only have to exclaim, "Oh, give me a break!" at the news, for him to reply, "Just calm down. It's only t.v." Where I am highly opinionated about such things, Lewis approaches the world with more of a live and let live philosophy.

Now, on the things that really matter, to a large extent, we usually agree. He doesn't believe in gun control, high taxes, or abortion. He doesn't shy away from telling me when I am right about something. He also calls me on things that he sees as wrong. But mostly, he stays out of political debates. He's more concerned with cars and specifically, convincing me that he's really trying to improve his gas mileage when he's really boosting horsepower.

He's not voted since we've been married. He's registered, but I forget which party he registered with. That's how little his party affiliation matters to me.

He was raised in a family that really reflects his world-view. His mom and dad are democrats. I wouldn't say they are especially liberal people. But his mom voted for Clinton and intended to vote for Gore (she didn't make it to the polls before they closed). When Lewis asked her why she would have voted for Gore, she responded that she thought, "Clinton held this country together pretty well." I did not jump into that one.

Oddly enough, when he does decide to discuss politics with me, it's often in inappropriate places and situations. While listening to the preservice music at my aunt's wedding, he says to me, "Don't you think it's about time they brought the soldiers home from Iraq?" To which I say, "Do we have to discuss this now?" And he replies, "Well, everyone else is whispering and talking to each other, why shouldn't we?"

But what I most admire about him, is that if I present a rational arguement to him, he's open to changing his mind about things. Abortion is a good example. He though he was for it (at least in extreme cases), till I explained how early a baby in the womb has a heartbeat. Then he changed his mind.

And I am grateful that Marley has taken after him in that way. She will stand her ground, but she can be convinced to change her mind, if you make a rational arguement.

Laney, however, is not like that at all. She will disagree with you just to disagree. Once she decides something she is not going to back down.

I just hope she doesn't grow up to be a liberal democrat.

I was telling my mom this the other day. To prove my point about her stubborn nature, I looked over at Laney and said, "Laney, say 'I am a conservative republican.'" She immediately stuck out her bottom lip and exclaimed, "Nooooooo!"

See what I mean?

Let's just hope I can subtly guide that iron-clad resistance to follow the right path. At the rate she's going she'll either grow up to be Anne Coulter or Hilary Clinton.