One of the many reasons I love my sister.

I don't think it is going to surprise anyone who reads this blog to know I voted for John McCain. Sure, I don't openly argue politics with most of my friends, but those who know me best know that I am a conservative Christian woman with a heart that bleeds Republican work ethic. I appreciate my friends no matter what side of the political line they tow, and we respected each other yesterday. I actually had a very intelligent discussion yesterday with a friend who voted for Obama. We both hope for a better future for this country, and we truly do hope that the next four years are good ones.

My sister and I are cut from the same cloth. When she recently posted on Facebook that she was a "Proud Republican," an unprovoked argument was started by a childhood friend whom she has not spoken to in over five years. What I love is that she gave an EDUCATED response that was not based on pure emotion.

I am posting this to remind EVERY American that we are ALL entitled to our views without unfair judgement and irrational attack. To attack someone's conservativism without reason or intellect is just as hateful and ignorant as to attack someone's liberalism on the same grounds. Think before you rant, people. . .you may underestimate the mind on the other side.

CHILDHOOD FRIEND SAYS:

"honestly...it's people like you that make this world so incredibly sad. you can't even recognize what an amazing and significant opportunity barack obama's election truly is. voting for obama was about voting for the possibility of something better for this country instead of clinging to christian/republican ideals that have been shoved in our faces for eight years. and by "our"...i mean those of us who don't actually think george w. bush was a good president! no one said this obama was the f-ing messiah...he's a figure for a potential movement that could bring about legit social change...but it actually has to come from the people and not an election. this election provided the opening and it's our responsibility to make it a reality. i don't think there's a single person that should be sitting around going "boo hoo i'm a republican and the democrats won this election. cry cry cry." but the more that people like you sit in your little apartments with your cool husbands and hate the more stalled the entire process of living in a better world is going to be. progress and change aren't going to come from prayers and pulpits...it's going to come from you physically making it happen. the "long way to go" that everyone is talking about is literally a shout out to your own personal ignorance (along with an additional 46% of this country). if you plan to spend the majority of your young life..a time when you should probably be expanding your mind instead of carrying around the same uninformed bandwagon opinions you've had since you were a child without ever truly challenging something you were told..then wow, you're really really sad. in his victory speech he specifically reached out to the people who didn't vote for him and said that he wanted to be their president too. if that alone doesn't make you at least willing to give this man a chance...then you're truly hopeless and i feel extremely sorry for what your life is going to be like.

MY SISTER RESPONDS:

"just because I said that I was proud to be a republican doesn't make a single thing in this note from you true. I stand firm in my beliefs, and I truly hope for the best from this election. But I really don't need to explain that to you. You know absolutely nothing about my life, a lot has changed since middle school. So I would appreciate it if you would keep the opinions that you have formed about me to yourself. The beauty of living in a country like America is that we have the ability to think for ourselves and to make a stand without fear of punishment. The country is run on a multiple party system for a reason. I did not vote for Barack Obama, and I am proud to say that I cast my vote for John McCain, a conservative man who does share many of the values that I grew up with, and still hold dear. I also appreciate a president who has actual politcal experience, and didn't spend more than half of his elected years running for president, forget even mentioning that i prefer to vote for a candidate with a valid birth certificate. I find it kind of hypocritical that you can say the values that I hold dear are wrong and those that you hold dear are right. Trying to belittle me until I become a liberal? Kind of voids everything in your rant. And please don't worry about my expanding my mind... I attended one of the most liberal schools in MA and was the youngest ever recipient of a masters degree in my program... I am doing alright for myself. Unlike what you may believe I am a highly educated voter, not just a republican stooge. I vote for the candidate that I believe in, not just because he was the one on the republican ticket. If Barack had impressed me I would have voted for him. Never anywhere did I say I wasn't willing to give him a chance. That is the conclusion you came to, not anything that I put out there. But I am not impressed with words, I appreciate action, and I look forward to seeing what Obama does to keep his word regarding the many promises he made.You and I haven't spoken for years, I think it is best we keep it that way. I am not sure why you bothered to send me this note, but next time just keep your opinions to yourself, my "cool husband" and I have better things to do."

Enough said.