ResLifeMom has clearly been holding quite a few thoughts in over the past 8 years!!!! Its time to Let them Loose!

Okay, so I just read this really interesting blog that I posted on my facebook site. Basically, its a lifelong Democrat kvetching about what's happened to her party. I couldn't agree more. The basic premise of her blog and really is what I've been stewing about for awhile, but don't discuss particularly BECAUSE of the issue (Its not safe or open for me to do so), is the Democratic party has always been for equality, justice for all, especially the oppressed, support for the middle and lower classes, inclusion, etc., etc. And because of this, I considered myself a Democrat most of my teen and adult life as well. One of my dearest childhood friends has always been (and still is based on her facebook status tonight; LOL!) a die-hard Republican, so much so, that I often didn't discuss politics with her because of our opposing views and it was just too intense..>Trace, you know I love you though, right? :) Goodness knows, I will forever remember your Giant Dukakis Salad pin. Anyway, I was so devastated in 200o when Gore lost the election to Bush because up until that point, I had viewed the Democratic party in the way I described above.

Now, I'm 8 years older and certainly, there's parts of me that have grown more conservative with age; just ask my hubby; he was a brave man to take up with me and all my liberal glory as a college student; less we remember the election during our first year of mariage. And certainly, home ownership, children, etc., etc. have played somewhat into that. Anway...I digress. So, along comes the 2004 race between Kerry and Bush. Now, I'm not crazy about Bush; he's certainly screwed some things up (Iraq or DON'T GET ME STARTED ABOUT "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND BULLSHIT!), but I don't see him as this evil person responsible for sudden decline of our country on all these fronts. However, the Kerry/Edwards ticket made me cringe! Seriously, suddenly, the Democratic party took on for me, this elitist, snotty-ass, close-minded, if you don't see our way you're ignorant, stupid, and meaningless, sort of aura. I'm completely disillusioned, troubled and saddened by the "general" (because I'm making a BROAD generalization here) Democratic attitude because of the hypocrisy I see. Two examples come to mind: First, the treatment of Sarah Palin by many Democrats. Now, I know PLENTY of people who had well-informed and rationale concerns for her as a VP; these aren't the people I speak of. The people I speak of are the average Democrat who is just personally attacking in cruel and vicious ways, this woman for any and everything. I also recently saw a video of a McCain/Palin supporter march in the Upper Westside and the response from residents who tend to be Democratic, was disgusting; they were yelling in the marchers faces, giving them the finger, calling them names, etc. It was disgusting! Now, the Republican party isn't innocent and certainly, I have concerns over big-money and some of their own lack of inclusion. However, I think was disturbs me greatly is that the Democratic party stands on laurels with regard to inclusion, much more often, but has drifted away.

I see this in higher education and Res Life ALL the time. We propose to be so damn liberal, inclusive and open in academia and most specifically student affairs; ummm...we are, but only if you subscribe to all liberal thought. This came to light for me recently in my FYE class. A number of my students were discussing the fact that political ideology is more of a hot button source of conflict for students, including roommates, than religion. The expresssed their fear, anger, frustration, etc. about not really feeling safe and open to express theire opinions. Based on other comments, most, though not all, of these students are moderate or conservative. I've heard this from several colleagues or student leaders who are of the same mind-set. There are liberals, Democrats or moderates out there that TRULY understand the Democratic party roots and while they may not agree with the liberal, moderate or conservative opinion, they understand inclusion; that we all have different thoughts and beliefs and they should be respected. To you all ( one of my friends/colleague and fellow blogger is one of those key people) I have the utmost respect for you and even more so after watching how you've handled yourself through this election cycle. Regardless of your beliefs, you've opened yourself up and not judged or made uncomfortable, students, colleagues, and friends of differing political persuasions than you. I'm honored to be your friend.

Now, I know the feelings will subside over the next few months and regardless of your party, ideation or candidate you were rooting for (or dreading least..ha ha) we'll get back to normal. Obama will be in office for two terms, the Demos will have their own screw-ups, just like the Republicans have, because somehow, we all idealistically want to believe all these politicians; regardless of party we associate with, will fulfill their promises (they mostly won't and mostly can't), and 8 years from now, we'll probably be electing a Republican candidate for office. What I hope happens by then, is the Democratic party re-finds itself and a candidate who can not only represent inclusion and compassion FOR ALL, but who inspires that in others, rather than inspiring meanness and spite. I hope, whether its Obama or someone after him, that we see sometime in the next decade, a candidate in office who is TRULY role models bi (and other) partisan work and walks the talk. I hope Obama in his Presidency and those that follow in the next decade, provide us as people, but more specifically, us in higher education, the opportunity to challenge ourselves to grow as people and as a field and really be the place of honest discourse and learning that we should be.