Outed

As William Bendix used to say on "The Life of Riley," what a revoltin' development this is.

I had a great conversation with a friend this evening. He voted for Bush, and I voted for Kerry. Despite that, we're still friends. Anyway, he called me a Democrat.

Not liking to be labeled, I denied it (not hearing the cock crow yet).

He said, "Oh yes you are. Look at your own blog."

So I searched below and found references to voting for Democratic candidates, but no evidence of declaring myself as a Democrat. This reasoning was, though, unacceptable to Rob. "Nope. You're busted, pal," was all he could say.

Not wanting the conversation to flag, I changed the subject.

A few thoughts after the fact:

1. I don't regard myself as a Democrat.
2. However, why would I mind if someone thought I was a Democrat?

Why, indeed. There appears to be some shame assocated with being a Democrat, and much schadenfreude in calling someone else a Democrat.

So I've decided to become one. This event has changed me fundamentally.

I felt sort of like being called a nigger-lover in the 50s, or being called a commie hippie in the 60s, or being called a Republican after Nixon.

I don't like being called anything. But what does it mean to reject a label so strenuously and then revert to principle about it?

So I tried it on for size, albeit gingerly. If I'm a Democrat, then...

1. I favor big government, apparently for its own sake.
2. I believe in welfare and entitlement programs.
3. I think gay people should be allowed to marry.
4. I support Democratic presidents who preside over unprecedented economic expansion.
5. I like unions.
6. I think it's OK not to be Christian; you can be Jewish, Muslim or anything you want.
7. I live in the Pacific Northwest, the upper midwest, or New England.
8. I think rich people should pay more income taxes than working poor.
9. I think America should secure international support before invading other countries, unless they attack us first.
10. I believe in freedom of the press.
11. I think we should relax our immigration standards (although Bush wants to, also).
12. I don't mind paying estate and inheritance taxes.

Well, I don't like 1.
2? I do think the measure of any civilization is how it treats its least fortunate.
3. Why shouldn't they have the chance to be unhappy, too?
4. Yep.
5. Nope.
6. Yep.
7. Right now, yes.
8. Yep.
9. Yep.
10. Yep
11. Yep
12. Yep.

So that's 10 yeps vs. 2 nopes. Rob said I'm busted.

Just don't make me vote straight party lines all the time, and I'll be glad to admit that I'm more Democrat than Republican, at least.

I'm out.