The holiday season has stresses for everyone, but it’s probably the most difficult time of the year to be a conservative in New York City.
You get used to having your political beliefs met with surprise and curiosity at best — and, all too often, with hostility and anger. But it would be nice to avoid it when you’re just trying to share some cheer.
Sorry, there’s always that one person at every holiday party who can’t wait to pounce on his token righty acquaintance to discuss the politics of the day.
When they spot you walking in, their eyes light up, and they lunge across the room to begin what they imagine to be an original conversation.
“So, what do you think of Sarah Palin now?” is a common opener.
Palin, despite having no current prominent role in the Republican Party, remains a popular target for pent-up liberal animosity. The party-going pest often describes her as “scary,” and is perplexed when the conservative remains unafraid of her.
Then the follow-up: “What a terrible Republican field this time.”
It doesn’t matter the year, it’s always an awful Republican field, the worst in memory. The candidates are always stupid and crazy; sometimes stupid, crazy and racist — or obviously stupid, crazy, racist and scary.
“You don’t really want any of these people to win, do you?”
This is when the attempt at light political banter turns combative, as the liberal realizes the conservative, despite perhaps sharing mutual friends, similar taste in music or movies and occupying the same city, might have still somehow formulated truly differing opinions on politics.
It was understood, of course, that the conservative was different. After all, that’s why this conversation was taking place. But surely not so different as to not want to see Barack Obama re-elected.
“If any of these people win, I’m moving to Canada!” the liberal will say, exasperated that anyone could disagree with his premises. You scan the room, hoping to spot some escape from the conversation and finally reach the bar.
Eventually, you part — until next year, unless the liberal finally moves to Canada.
Karol Markowicz blogs at alarmingnews.com