Friday, August 7, 2009

With Family Like This...


I got a call from my dad today. We talked for a while, but it's never an in-depth conversation when it comes to my dad; our relationship is complicated.

My dad is a die-hard Democrat (He thinks Hillary is hot). While there a lot of other issues I have with my dad, this only adds to the complexity of our relationship. You would think that being a veteran, he would be more right-leaning; not so. In fact, he takes every opportunity to tell me how W and the GOP are to blame for today's problems. I've got to have the patience of Job to get through a phone call with him.

Today, the issue of Obamacare came up. My dad seems to think that being that he gets his healthcare through the VA that he's going to continue to get anything he needs. I tried to explain that under this hideous legislation, it wouldn't make a dime's worth of difference whether it was through the VA or not; rationing will be the norm and cost effectiveness the bottom line. He said the Dems would never let that happen. How blind are those who refuse to see!

He then went on to tell me about how he found out that he can get his Medicare premiums paid through welfare because of his income. I asked if he really wanted the government to have that much control over his life. His response? "If they're willing to pay for it, why should I have to?" I almost dropped the phone.

In the same line of conversation, he also told me that he found out that he can get a cell phone through welfare. I asked him why should I have to pay for his cell phone. His answer? "I paid into the system all those years. Why shouldn't I get something out of it?" I calmly tried to tell him that no one should be paying for what other people want. I'm pretty sure I used the term "theft" by the government. Then all hell broke loose. He seems convinced that the Dems are just trying to help those who can't help themselves. I realized at this point that calm disagreement wasn't going to change his mind.

It's bad enough when you see strangers with this attitude, but when it's family, it makes you even crazier.

All I can say is this: Mom, thanks for raising me. I love you with all my heart. You done did good.

13 comments:

Amusing Bunni said...

Hi Black & Gold! My heart is heavy for you, having to go through that with your own father! I can only imagine the patience you must muster to get through it! I could not do it, I don't have any more patience for people who can't see the truth anymore. Well, when I read about family members that some nice folks have to endure, all I can say is I'm glad I'm an orphan.

At least your mother is sensible, and I can see you got your superior intellect from her! God Bless and have a lovely evening. I'm calmed down from my internet scare now. The squirrels know how to pick out a good beer! Luv ya, Bunni

blackandgoldfan said...

My mom is great. She's been there no matter how bad I've screwed up. That's all I care about.

Glad you're calmer now. From what I read, there was a cyberattack that hit blogger, twitter, and google.

Salute my troops!!!

Much love, my friend!!!

Andrew33 said...

I literally had a war of words with my parents over going to DC for the 912 protests. He didn't even like my activities on KOOK's manifesto. My parents remember the 60's hippie protests well and hated that whole movement. It took my dad listening to the audiobook of Common Sense by Beck/Paine to wake him up. Not only did it change his mind, but he is now partly financing my trip and wishes he could go too. He was in a way just like your dad. To my dad, Bush could do no wrong and any criticism of him was either Democrat Media attacks or "conspiracy nonsense" from me. The Republicans were always right and that was it. He is now a registered independent. He sees the "big picture" and now supports the blog, and the "tea party" protests. I am telling you this as maybe the Audiobook of Common Sense would have a similar effect on your dad. Don't give up hope on him. It may take times getting far worse to wake alot of people up as to how bad our Federal Government is, but more people are waking up daily. I am lucky, while my dad is often closed minded, he is good hearted, so it simply took a good dose of Common Sense to wake him up. Now, he realizes that all the years he was calling me a conspiracy nut were spent on the wrong side. At least now he has a much better idea of what is ahead for this country which will at least make it less of a shock.

Timeshare Jake said...

How could anyone who relies on the VA for healthcare and deals with the lines support this plan. They have seen cuts as well over the past few years. I just don't get it.

Timeshare Jake said...

By the way, my grandmother is a die hard Democrat who would have been dead five years ago had this healthcare plan been in place five years ago. It's really sad she can't see past JFK to see what low lifes the Democrats have become.

Steve: The Lightning Man said...

I'm not an overly religious person, but I believe there's this adage about the Lord helping those who help themselves? Sadly, these zipperheads who worship the Almighty Obama believe that The Gubmint helps those who refuse to help themselves......

Mango's Madness said...

I have the same type relationship with my Mother. Always tense, never loving, Political views 180 degrees from me. I feel your pain!

blackandgoldfan said...

Joel: I'm glad your dad came around. I really don't think there is anything anyone can say to change my dad's mind. There are other things I would love to say about the whole dynamics of his personality, but I respectfully choose not to get into it. Trust me...there are a lot of issues I have that I've just come to accept on a lot of levels.

Clay: I don't get it either. VA cuts are the last place I would make them, but my dad seems to be convinced that W & Co. made cuts to give to their "rich buddies." It's more of a generational thing. My dad's love affair with the Dems is, in my opinion, for purely self-centered reasons.

Lightning Man: My dad and others like him will never realize that what government giveth, it also taketh away. Then when what they feel is rightfully theirs is taken away, they whine like a set of bad brakes.

blackandgoldfan said...

Mango: Thanks. That's why I get my mom gifts on Mother's and Father's Days. She's always loved me unconditionally. I'll never be able to repay her for that.

mommiedearest said...

Thank you daughter,..you know how modest I am and how I don't take compliments well at all. But I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And I love you bunches and bunches.

blackandgoldfan said...

HEY GUYS!!! IT'S MY MOMMY!!! (mommiedearest)

A New Yorker said...

I would have said to Dad, so you're saying you can't take care of yourself?

blackandgoldfan said...

Lauren: Thanks for reading! It's not that he can't, he doesn't want to. While he has the choice to do so, we aren't given the choice as to whether we want to support these kind of people or not. The government forces us to do it every pay.