cognitive dissonance
“A gay republican is like a vegetarian butcher”. But I seem to attract them like flies on the windscreen. I was not always a politically motivated person. I used to abstain from the whole election process because I found civic debate boring and unglamorous. But I have since discovered that politics are just showbiz for ugly folks. I love to watch the twisted strategy of the conniving candidates. Perhaps this is why I was very amused by this years primary debacle. For sheer entertainment, the cluster fuck to the White House has been a godsend. I realize that this is a serious crossroad in our nation’s history, but I can’t help feeling thankful for all of this melodrama. This may be hard to believe, but I voted for the first time in 2004. I am a registered Democrat, despite my constant disappointment in their ability to stand up for themselves. So it is puzzling why I seem to attract romantic attention from the other side of the aisle. There was one intense relationship that I had with a Republican around Y2K. It was a unfortunate series of events. I think people are just looking for a sense of belonging. He always seem adrift. I can imagine him sitting home watching Fox News and becoming brainwashed by the right wing spin. I was taken aback by his new found political zeal. But I never considered myself an idealogical extremist, so I let it slide. But his conservative prattle started to creep into every conversation. And he would memorize the talking points. When I started to argue my point, he would have his comeback line ready to go. This became increasingly frustrating. The final straw came when he called me a “murderer” at IHOP, because I support a woman’s right to choose. I walked out and chopped him from my social circle ASAP. It is one thing to be intellectually feeble, but it is another to spew hate talk during brunch. In any case, I wish him well despite his self-loathing double talk. This song reminds me of my reactionary friend. I don’t consider him a bad person. In fact, he was kinder than I will ever be. But like a emotionally vulnerable cult member, he just wanted something to believe in.
