I am the founder and director of a unique, progressive homeless facility in downtown Los Angeles, known as the Dome Village. Yet the 35 men, women and children and their pets who call the Dome Village home are being "evicted" from privately owned property after 12 1/2 years--apparently on account of my political beliefs and activities. You see, though I am a leading homeless activist, I am also a conservative Republican and a strong supporter of President Bush.
Here's how the situation played out. Recently, I was invited to address a local Republican Women's Club; my landlord read an article in the local paper reporting on the event. Soon after, I received a notice raising the Dome Village rent from $2,500 a month to $18,330. Shocked, I inquired as to the seriousness of the change, and the property owner blurted out that the cause of our "eviction" was "because you are Republican." He said that as a Democrat, he was tired of helping me and the Dome Village. In other words, let the homeless be damned.
Yeah, it's an anecdote, but I think it's symptomatic of broader Democratic sentiment out there. Last night for example a girl I know was kvetching to me about a guy that one of her friends was friends with. Among the many crimes he was guilty of in her eyes was being Republican. I'm serious. Living in wildly Democratic
D.C. has really led me to conclude that Democrats can be some of the most intolerant people out there. One of the fastest ways to kill a conversation at a party is to announce that you voted for Bush -- although it's often worth it just to see the look of bewilderment and horror cross the other person's face. For all the rhetoric about diversity there is little or no tolerance for dissenting viewpoints. If you're not on the liberal bandwagon you're either evil or retar...er, mentally handicapped.
Along with the lack of respect for diversity I am also constantly astounded at the prejudice. If you're conservative it is frequently assumed that you hate homosexuals, racial minorities and the poor. I remember talking to a guy a few years ago who was ranting and raving about how Republican plans to cut social programs was proof that they hate the less fortunate. It never occurred to him that perhaps Republicans do care about the poor but don't think that expanded government is the best way to accomplish this goal. In this guy's mind-set being against the welfare state was the same as being against the poor. The fact that the right opposes nationalized health care is similarly cited as evidence of their contempt for everyone but the rich.
It's really simplistic thinking: government=compassion. Therefore to oppose government intervention means a lack of compassion -- nevermind examples such as the 1996 welfare reform bill in which a cut to social spending made the poor better off. Notably, George W. Bush has not done the right any favors by embracing the mantle of "compassionate conservatism" which tacitly endorses this view of compassion going hand in hand with more government.
I used to think that the left-wing rhetoric about Republicans making war on the poor was simply a debating tactic, but increasingly I am convinced that Democrats really and truly believe that Republicans are all hate-filled ogres (at least they believe in something). It's funny how some people can lose sleep wondering "why they hate us" and seeking the perspective of foreign terrorists, but make no attempt to understand their fellow citizens.
Along with the lack of respect for diversity I am also constantly astounded at the prejudice. If you're conservative it is frequently assumed that you hate homosexuals, racial minorities and the poor. I remember talking to a guy a few years ago who was ranting and raving about how Republican plans to cut social programs was proof that they hate the less fortunate. It never occurred to him that perhaps Republicans do care about the poor but don't think that expanded government is the best way to accomplish this goal. In this guy's mind-set being against the welfare state was the same as being against the poor. The fact that the right opposes nationalized health care is similarly cited as evidence of their contempt for everyone but the rich.
It's really simplistic thinking: government=compassion. Therefore to oppose government intervention means a lack of compassion -- nevermind examples such as the 1996 welfare reform bill in which a cut to social spending made the poor better off. Notably, George W. Bush has not done the right any favors by embracing the mantle of "compassionate conservatism" which tacitly endorses this view of compassion going hand in hand with more government.
I used to think that the left-wing rhetoric about Republicans making war on the poor was simply a debating tactic, but increasingly I am convinced that Democrats really and truly believe that Republicans are all hate-filled ogres (at least they believe in something). It's funny how some people can lose sleep wondering "why they hate us" and seeking the perspective of foreign terrorists, but make no attempt to understand their fellow citizens.
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