Hi, my name is Stacy, and I'm a recovering Republican...................

[converted_democrat]

:hi: Hi, my name is Stacy and I'm a recovering Republican. I guess I just want you guys to understand how important the Democratic Underground truly is. Sometimes I fear it is taken for granted.
I grew up in a conservative household and honestly didn't know any better. Just like many generations before me. I started "lurking" here about 2 years ago. I wanted to see what the "opposition" was up to. Over time I found you guys weren't my enemy. You were people who I wanted as my friends. You changed me. You changed my view of the world. You helped me learn to value my fellow man no how different they may be from me.
I changed my voter registration 6 months ago, and I voted AND volunteered for Kerry. I am now a card carrying member of the Democratic party and I will never look back.
Things around me now because of you are changing too. Everyday (except Sun.) my dad eats breakfast with about 10 other guys every morning. All Republicans. Now when one of the gentlemen trot out a republican talking point that my dad knows to be untrue, he calls them on it. He defends the Democratic stance. This IS a big deal. (You taught me, I taught him, he's teaching them.) Most of these guys are farmers. He owns a few tractor dealerships, and he could be screwing himself out of deals, but he does it anyway.
You changed my views, and my families views, and now you are changing my communities views. How many other times has this happened to other people? How many views have you changed? The tide is turning. You are changing the world.
Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for changing me.

[sam sarrha]

1. HELLO Stacy,......

[trotsky]

2. Welcome, Stacy!

It's great to have you on board! Thank YOU for the inspiring stories of change.

[Melodybe]

15. How inspiring, the tide is turning, I feel it every week

at my democrat table.

Welcome Stacy, we are all Americans and once you remove the media spin we all agree on a lot more than we disagree on.

I'm kicking and nominating your post for greatest.

:toast: :pals: :toast:

[converted_democrat]

22. Thank you!!!!!!

[electropop]

73. Wow, I've got a little teardrop...

Your story is so inspiring. I don't think I've ever been as successful as you at converting people, though I may have slightly nudged a few. Thank you for your courage, Stacy.

[Tigress DEM]

145. Me too! Welcome and thanks for the uplifting post!

:hi:

I like to think I can make a difference, but some days it seems so overwhelming that when someone stands up and says, "Hey, Thanks!" It really makes me realize that it isn't just a belief in my head that the DU is important, it's happening to people out there across the nation.

[Midlodemocrat]

3. Hi, Stacy.

Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[nini]

4. Thank YOU for reminding us why this place is so important

great story. Welcome aboard :hi:

[Roland99]

5. Me, too!! And welcome to DU!

Although, my name's not Stacy. ;)

[Momgonepostal]

6. Welcome, Stacy!

Great post! Keep up the good work with your family!

[brainshrub]

7. Hi Stacy.

Welcome to DU.

:toast:

[Bunny]

8. Hello Stacy - welcome to DU!

:hi:

You can certainly get a good education here on the issues. I know that reading DU for all these years has changed my mind on several things, and I've been a card-carrying Dem all my life.

[stevedeshazer]

9. Good work!

Especially nice to hear about your dad.

Tell him about the struggle to pass the Farm Bill. As I'm from a farming family myself, I never understood how the could vote for Republicans, when they owe nearly all their farm subsidies to Democrats.

:hi:

[Oreo]

Welcome... and thank you!

Thank you for looking deeper into what's happening than what the country is spoon fed.

Nominated

[tanyev]

10. Welcome, Stacy!

Cheers to you and your dad! :toast:

[K8-EEE]

11. Stacy You Made My Day...

with your lovely post. Thank you and happy Friday to you. NOMINATED!

[helderheid]

12. WELCOME TO DU!!

Welcome Stacy!

May I recommend the following:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x368702

So glad you're here!

[NJCher]

13. truer words

I agree with you that DU is sometimes underestimated. It should never be so. DU has changed my life and thousands upon thousands of others, too.

Welcome to the camp of people who still care about the important things.


Cher

[babylonsister]

14. Bless you, Stacy! What a great post and message! DU

is probably taken for granted at times, but you've reminded us how very important this place and the ideals shared here are. A hearty welcome to DU! :hi:

[liberal N proud]

16. You have come to the right place to recover

Welcome to DU.

[BeHereNow]

17. Stacy, I don't think you were ever a Republican....

You are far too thoughtful and articulate.
Heh-heh...
Welcome to DU!
BHN

[nashville_brook]

18. big NOMination! and welcome to DU, stacy!

thank you for giving us a chance! this is how change happens, one mind at a time -- not coerced in the church. people want diff points of view. it's in our nature.

when i was younger i would preach and try to change minds -- but i found, that's not fruitful. people have to come to the material themselves. DU is a beautiful place for getting it all out there so people can really see our nature and make up their own minds.

i love your post! i hope some of my republican friends lurk here too!

[CrispyQ]

19. Thank you for the wonderfully uplifting post!

And welcome to DU!

We will turn this country around one person at a time.

[IdaBriggs]

20. One person at a time.

You are making a difference. Don't ever let anyone convince you that you don't matter. Thank you for being here! :) Best, Ida

[progressivebydesign]

21. Welcome Stacy!!!!!! Great post!

I'm nominating this for the Greatest.

You're very welcome here. You Dad sounds awesome... he knows now that the Republicans are not the friends of the farmers and the average voters.

:grouphug:

[NoSheep]

23. Wow! Your story sounds almost too good to be true!

Welcome to DU and I hope there are more folks like you out there who open their minds to see the truth behind the lies the republicans tell Americans to basically scare them into voting for their side.

:hi:

[Tim4319]

24. Welcome Stacy!

It's all love in "DU Land"! Love for each other, and love for country. We are just not happy with the direction this country is going.

Welcome again!

[myrna minx]

25. Hi Stacy, welcome to DU.

YOU are the one that is making the difference. It is the open minded folks like you and your father that are going to make all the difference as to whether our dear country remains the precious Republic that we love. Thank YOU! :hi:

[GreenPartyVoter]

26. Hi :^)

[seabeyond]

27. excellent thread, lets talk it

my father lifetime repug, country club, old money business owner, card room and golf with buddies.

husband, texan, nra cardholder until mid 90's, business owner, trustee baby, texas oil,......voted for kerry

both are now doing the same. husband probably will not be able to ever vote republican now. he put two stickers on his clip board he takes into companies. if you arent outraged you arent listening, cant remember the other on the other side. depending which he wants to talk, is which sticker shows

father, actively campaigned for mayor in town, last week elections. first female mayor ever. and he campaigned for a black council member. asked a couple nites ago, but can we afford after school care for kids. talking about how two working families, need after care for children

i told him, how can we not afford it

i feel the same as you. yes, i think you are right, the tide is turning. and yes, i htink we dems dont value the hard work of each others, and the dems we elect and what we need to do

[dhinojosa]

28. Yeah, we are getting a lot of converts to the BIG TENT!!!! :) YIPPEE!!!!!!

Welcome!!!!! Yippee!!!!

[dhinojosa]

29. Ooops, forgot to say welcome....WELCOME TO DU!!!!!

:bounce:

[bleedingheart]

30. welcome to DU!

[realisticphish]

31. welcome stacy

:hi:
you may not be really new to DU, but congrats on your trip over from the dark side :toast:

[havocmom]

32. Hi Stacy! Glad you're here. Thanks for reminding DUers that we do more

than just bicker among ourselves! This place is an institution of higher learning and we need to remember that.

Glad you are already seeing ripples from what you learn and teach in your local pond! Keep up the good work. We need more like you.

The best way to dispel the lies spread about progressives/liberals/Dems is for each of us to remember we are ambassadors for our causes. How we live and relate to our neighbors speaks against the lies Rush and the rest pull out of their asses.

Show people what Democrats really are. Win friends. Influence people.
Peel away the lies the neocons pile on us and let the truth be known.

Neocons, hmm interesting term to describe a bunch of con-artists, isn't it.

Hang in there, Stacy. The road less traveled gets hard sometime. But it is a road worth walking. Looking forward to seeing you along the way.

Give your dad a hug from the DUers! We make a difference one mind at a time. He is doing his part to restore America. Your help in his learning/teaching is a great thing!

[SheepyMcSheepster]

33. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[warrior1]

34. Hi Stacy

I've been feeling real bad and just reading your letter, after making me cry, gives me hope.

Thank you for your honesty and sharing

Mary

[converted_democrat]

70. Thank you......

[Springg]

35. Welcome...we need you!!!

Thanks for letting us know that there are still Americans out there who are willing to educate themselves. It gets so frustrating to fight everything this administration stands for... they're hoping we will just give up and let them take over. But, new converts such as yourself and family will make sure that never happens!!! I too have family members in the farming community...and they all think Saddam was behind 9/11....it is sooo frustrating talking to them....but I consider it my duty to spread the truth!!!
Spring :)

[Hissyspit]

61. Welcome to you, too, Springg! n/t

[converted_democrat]

68. Welcome to you too, Springg!!!!

[Career Prole]

36. Hi, Stacy!

Welcome to our home! :grouphug:

Thank you for the inspiration to keep scrapping!

[dogday]

37. Hi Stacy

Welcome to DU. We help recovering Republicans

[Norquist Nemesis]

38. Welcome to DU, Stacy!

Now, can I enlist you to chat with MY dad?

Thanks for your inspiring letter. We're glad to have you on board!

:toast:

[Hissyspit]

39. See, converted_democrat. Didn't I tell you? Look how many nominations

you got for Greatest page today already!

You've come to the right place.

:patriot: :toast:

[converted_democrat]

71. Thank you!

Thank you soooo much!!

[info being]

40. Truth is beautiful

I'm glad you found it within you to let beauty into your life.

[liberalitch]

41. Gooba, Gobba stacy... now you're one of us!

[FreedomAngel82]

59. Oooo

another hethen eh? ;)

[ultraist]

42. Welcome Stacy!

What an inspiring story. Thank you!

:hi:
:patriot:
:kick:

[Beacho]

43. Welcome Stacy and Kudos your dad a true patriot

If he's willing to take a loss on business to speak truth to power, then he's aces in my book.


And kudos to you, sounds like the fruit doesn't fall too far from the tree.


Your post really brightened up my day.

I owe you one!

[Don_1967]

44. Welcome to the good guys

[Sydnie]

45. Welcome to the party Stacy

There is a DU'er with the signature line of "each 1 teach 1". (Sorry, your screen name slips my mind right now) You are LIVING that signature line ... and it looks good on you from where I am.

Glad to have you join us. Don't be a stranger now, yah hear? :)

[Coexist]

46. We need to have a weekly deprogramming session on the lounge or something

Maybe a reformed Republican of the Week award?!

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

47. Welcome!

:toast:

[rndmprsn]

48. back at ya...this site has kept me sane...

for the past 9-10 months...i think i would have lost it long ago if i didn't have DU!

[FreedomAngel82]

49. Hi Stacy

:hi: I'm glad you're here and thanks for your story. Some days it feels like it's hopeless to change anything but then a story like yours comes along. My mother used to be a republican as well but thanks to DU I read all types of dirt on this administration and in turn told my Mom and she last month told our now mayor (he wasn't mayor then) that after years of being a republican she was no longer one. I should be a republican since I live in the south and all my family is republican but my grandparents are republicans who voted for Kerry. :) So that made me happy. I'm working on my Dad now. He's a bit different from my Mom so I tell him a story here and there and have gotten him to watch the Daily show so it's a start. :) DU is important and I hope it never closes down. By the way: how do you become a card-carrying democrat? I'd love to be one. In my state when we register to vote we don't tell what party affiliation we want to be apart of which is pretty good I think because of what happened during this last election. Welcome aboard!!!

[KaliTracy]

50. What a great post. Thanks so much for posting this.... it's

important to others who may be lurking for the same reasons...

Glad you are staying around!


:hi:

(and by the way -- "we" didn't change you -- you changed yourself after being presented with new information -- no one is in control of anyone else's ability to change..... that comes from within.)

[MajorFlaw]

51. Hi Stacy, Welcome to DU.

:hi:

[JRob]

52. Hope ! n/t

[mzmolly]

53. Just when I was thinking of leaving DU ....

Thank YOU!

:toast:

One more nomination.

[Old and In the Way]

174. You'd better not!

Not sure why you're thinking about that, but I'd miss ya!

Is it me, or has there been an increase of recovering Republicans posting here? Perhaps the saturation point has been reached and the Republican solution is breaking down, bigtime.

[mzmolly]

182. Aw thanks!

I agree, there has been in increase?

I only hope it's indicitive of the greater things you mention. :hi:

[Rainbowreflect]

54. Welcome, thank you & nominated.

Sometimes we all need a reminder that we are here for reasons besides our own needs.

[LaPera]

55. Question: Do you find most republican men don't like minorities and are

most republican men uptight about sex and sexual openness?

Very curious.

[converted_democrat]

77. oh yea !!!!!!

Super uptight about sex. Super uptight.

[converted_democrat]

79. And as far as the other question......

You have to understand to some degree why they have the issues with people of difference. They do not know any better. The school I went to had no minorities in it. Most people I know do not "know" any minorities. They hate what they don't understand simply because their daddy and granddaddy told them to. I seldom use the word ignorant, but it truly fits here.

[meganmonkey]

56. I am so happy to read your post

Sometimes it really does feel like DU is a vacuum, and sometimes it seems like we fight with each other more than we need to here.

But you remind me that we really are hashing through the issues and weighing every side and, ultimately, doing the right thing.

I thank you for your openness and I hope you never regret this change in your life. And thanks for passing the torch!

I hope there are hundreds - thousands! - like you reading DU and realizing the truth about the administration and the Repub party.

:toast:

[madmom]

57. welcome..welcome..welcome...

stories like this give one the warm fuzzies:applause:

[sexybomber]

58. Welcome to the Dark Side :D

I offer a toast :toast: to your newfound enlightenment!

[Stinky The Clown]

60. Stacy, Welcome!

We converts to the Democratic party are everywhere. And we need to be on the front lines of converting others. Knowing the minds of the other sides allows us to speak in ways they can understand.

We have a lot of work, but we've had a lot of success to look back on.

One heart and one mind at a time.

[Eloriel]

62. Wow, Stacey

Talk about a pick-me-up! Wonderful post.

Heartiest of welcomes to DU and a Delightful Friday the 13th to you!!

:toast: :bounce:

Oh, and did I mention I like your style?? :evilgrin:

[Virginian]

63. Welcome Stacy

I came here as an independent.
I didn't like the way the Republicans rabidly went after Clinton and thought they were getting a little overbearing and arrogant.
I didn't care for Bush. I didn't vote for him and thought the 2000 Election decision was just WRONG.
I felt I wasn't getting the truth from the "Librul Press" and wanted to know what was going on. I find links to the truth here.

This website seems to get better and better with time.
Welcome and I am glad that you had the strength and courage to think for yourself instead of following the crowd. I know it wasn't easy for you. Thanks for convincing others, too.

[undergroundpanther]

64. Hey Stacy You are AWESOME!!!!

Welcome Welcome.. Your post made my DAY!!

Rrrwower!!

Underground Panther in the Sky!!

[democrank]

65. An uplifting post, Stacy.

Thanks for letting us know what you`re thinking. A warm welcome to you.

[immoderate]

66. Great story!

Welcome:hi:

--IMM

[leesa]

67. Good for you! Welcome.

[lonestarnot]

69. Glad the scales dropped from your eyes and welcome!

:toast:

[bigendian]

72. Welcome Stacy.

Remember, you can disagree here.

[King Coal]

74. Talking about making my day!

You're the great big cake taker!

:yourock:

[racaulk]

Reading this post just made my day!

Thank you, and welcome to DU! :pals:

[Javaman]

75. Always welcomed here Stacy!

[G_j]

76. Stacy, you really lifted my spirits

it reminds me that we aren't only preaching to the choir and that intelligent, ethical people given access to information will make their own informed decisions.
Let the light shine!

[SmokingJacket]

78. Thanks for a wonderfully generous post! Welcome! nt

[MODemocrat]

80. Congratulations Stacy

This is such a great story, and it has made my day. You are one smart
individual. I try nearly every day to turn someone around, and finally
had a long life republican call me to tell me he will never vote for a republican again. He said he thought George Bush Senior was bad enough, but this one now is even worse. That made me so happy.
:thumbsup: :hi: :dem:

[understandinglife]

81. Welcome to DU (nt)

www.missionnotaccomplished.us - Be it MNA Day 3 or 8 or 15 or .... the day will come when 10s of millions of Americans and others stop their typical activities for 24 hours and urge 10 times that many to join should another MNA Day be required. On that glorious day America will have begun truly to be "America," again.

[deadparrot]

82. Welcome!

I'm glad you've found a place here! Looking forward to chatting with you. :)

[Tinoire]

83. Welcome!

Welcome to DU and most of all a belated welcome to the Democratic Party.

People like you make us realize that it's worth it, no matter how tired we get, to keep hanging in there.

Thanks for the shot of re-ENERGY Stacy!

:toast:

[im10ashus]

84. Welcome to DU, Stacy!

Don't look back.

:hi:

[Red State Prisoner]

85. Same here

I was a registered Republican back in the late 90's. I was still too naive to understand what was going on around me. I clung to the usual anti-gay, pro-life Republican stance on politics. Then I moved to Austin Texas, made some friends, met many interesting people, and decided to re-evaluate my life. It was difficult letting go of a lifetime of ignorance, but it was well worth the journey.

[converted_democrat]

99. Thank you and welcome too!!!!!!

[im10ashus]

105. Welcome to DU as well!

Curious though. You "were" anti-gay in your former life as a republican? What is your stance now and what precipitated that change of attitude?

[Red State Prisoner]

110. Excellent question

Anti-gay may have been too strong a statement. Homophobic would probably describe my attitude a little better. As to what precipitated the change, well it was simple. Exposure. Living in an environment where being different means being outcast didn't help. Machismo runs rampant where I come from, so you can imagine what the predominant attitude was.

[im10ashus]

114. I loved Austin!

I lived in San Antonio for about a year and visited Austin frequently. I honestly think it's one of the best cities in the world. I live in Manhattan now, via Chicago, and so I have lived in some great environs.

I am happy your homophobia was overcome. I am gay and it scares me when I see how many "anti-gay" people there are in this country. As you well know, we gay people were cast as the ones who helped lose this election, and that adds insult to injury.

Thanks for making clear your statement.

:yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

[Red State Prisoner]

117. A simple solution

Would be for people to expand their world beyond their home borders. Experiencing the reality of an issue versus simply expressing a preconceived notion makes a big difference. They just don't know any better. Sad but true.

[ceile]

113. Austin has that effect on people....

Great town! Glad you're here!

[Red State Prisoner]

119. Yeah it does

:)

[PittLib]

124. Being in an urban area seems to effect opinion ...

I grew up to be what I thought was a Republican (most members of my family are) mostly because I came from a place of little diversity. I remember a class exercise my senior year where we had to campaign for Bush Sr or Clinton ... my biggest argument was that Clinton was trying too hard with the whole sax/MTV thing. What an idiot I was. After spending a year abroad, my position changed ... an enlightenment of sorts. So much so that I nearly throttled one of my college roommates for supporting Dole because "Daddy said so". Now I live in a city, and I can have a broad spectrum of people to learn from and dispel many stereotyped perceptions. It's not about me or any homogenized group ... it's about what is best for all of us. This past election finally pushed me into getting involved locally. In fact I'm off to volunteer for a progressive mayoral candidate.

On edit:
Welcome Stacy and Red State! :hi:

[Terry in Austin]

141. Austin

The People's Republic welcomes all refugees, and even creates a few! Seems to be a major supply of the Red Pill here.

[Catherine Vincent]

86. How do we know you're telling the truth?

:-)

[obnoxiousdrunk]

90. It must be a

coincidence that today we had 3 ex repubs turn Dem and confess on DU ?

On edit here is one

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1780575&mesg_id=1780575

[Laurab]

92. Actually it's not really surprising to me

The more this administration screws up, the more I expect to see. It has to be getting really tough to remain a republican. I don't know how anyone can do it.

[converted_democrat]

104. Well.......

I don't exactly know what to say about that, but I assure you this travel has not been easy. Ask me any question you wish and I will try my best to accommodate you. I want you to see the fruits of you labor. I want you to see PEOPLE CAN BE CHANGED. I want you to know without question I am telling the truth. Let me know how I can quell your fear of me being a "fake."

[bunkerbuster1]

107. How to quell fears? Just keep on posting.

Although I gotta say (and speaking only for myself) I do tend to take the folks who've contributed a little something to DU and have the star next to their names as a result, a little more seriously when there are issues being disputed among members.

But then I didn't make a contribution myself until I'd hit the 1000 post mark, so make of that what you will.

Anyway, welcome to DU, and I really enjoyed your story.

[DemBeans]

87. what a terrific post!

I'm proud you're a fellow Democrat. Welcome!

[bunny planet]

88. Thank you for your great post Stacy.

So glad you are with us here at DU.
:grouphug:

[Laurab]

89. Hi Stacy and WELCOME!

And thank you for such an uplifting post!

:hi:

[erichzann]

91. What a great post - thanks for sharing that! :)

[Lugnut]

93. Welcome Stacy

:hi: It's great to have you here. Thank you. You have given me hope.

BTW, DU didn't change you. You changed you. :)

[Imalittleteapot]

94. Thanks Stacy. What an uplifting post.

You made my day.

:hi:

[ailsagirl]

95. Our most sincere welcome, Stacy!!!

:pals:

[Maat]

96. Welcome, Stacy! I didn't become a dedicated Democrat ..

until the early 90's.


I even used to work for aerospace - General Dynamics - Pomona, Ca (that's why Repubs need not try the 'we didn't supply Bin Laden with arms' pitch with me - let us just say that they would be wasting their time - given the rumors that I have heard).

I drifted into being a therapist-intern running skills groups for people suffering from mental illenss, and then I became a social worker. I call those years 'the Enlightenment Years.'

And this Administration has been so extreme for the last 4-1/2 years, they are definitely in a category of their own.

Shameless pandering to huge corporations, warmongering NeoCons, and the Religious Reich - that's what the Boooosh Administration is into.

And my hubby and I have a small corporation, so I don't blindly hate corporations of any kind. I kind of wish that we would enforce the laws that are on the books though.

Again, welcome!

[spuddonna]

97. Welcome to the party of reason and civil rights!

First of all, kudos to you for having the courage to seek (and find!) the truth! (Many people never do!) Secondly, congrats on spreading the word so successfully!!

I love that your father is calling his friends on the talking points. He is also a brave man! It takes a lot of balls to stand up and speak the truth because many people don't want to hear it.

The truth can be inconvenient and complicated, it can be a threat to people's belief systems, and it can make people doubt themselves... It is easier to follow and trust in other people's judgement (ie - sheeple), than to think for yourself, and speak the truth!

[RandomKoolzip]

98. Hey hey! Welcome to DU.

[LynnTheDem]

100. Hi Stacy!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[MsUnderstood]

101. With my apologies to AA . .the 12 steps program

We admitted we were powerless fighting republicans alone-- and that our country had become unbearable absorbing their lies and half-truths.

Came to believe that a power larger than just ourselves is required to restore American to sanity.

Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of a non Republican Leader as that we understood would work to uphold democratic ideas.

Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves and came to understand morality is not a set of rhetoric, it is a way of living your life.

Admitted to DU, to ourselves and to other human beings the exact nature of the republican wrongs.

Were entirely ready to obtain help to remove all these defects of character pushed onto us by the republican party.

Humbly asked DU to forgive us our shortcomings as democrats.

Made a list of all persons Republicans do harm daily, and became willing to allow them into our circle to fight the evil, deciding not to judge, but to accept.

Made direct outreaches to such people wherever possible, especially when not doing so would injure them or others.

Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it in hopes that the Republicans would do the same.

Sought through discussion and compromise to improve our contact with others, hoping for knowledge of goodwill for all and the power to carry that out.

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to republicans, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

(stolen from http://www.recovery.org/aa/misc/12steps.html)

[Ysolde]

102. Welcome, Stacy!

Glad to meet ya'. I live in a red state and it can be discouraging at times, but DU is a great refuge.
:hi:

[12345]

103. Hi, Stacy. I too am a recovering Republican who grew up in

a Republican family. My conversion began after grad school when I moved to the "bad part" of town to restore a home. It was at that time that I met "black people" and "poor people," and got to know them. Through these friendships, I began to understand the racial and economic divides in our country. I saw the hypocrisy of the Reupublican party. I think that Churchill quote, “If you aren’t liberal when you’re young, you’re heartless. And if you’re not conservative when you’re old, you’re brainless," was wrong. I believe that the more one is exposed to different ideas and cultures, the less conservative one becomes.

I discovered DU when my depressing predictions for the 2004 presidential race came true, and I was searching for information about the suspicious results. I believe that it is an invaluable source for information that is free from corporate media bias. Thanks for this post and thank you DU.

[PST]

106. great story, welcome Stacy! n/t

[Sewsojm]

111. Hi and Welcome Stacy,

I'm pretty new here too, its a really great place as you can tell already!

[converted_democrat]

131. Welcome to you too!!!!

[ellie]

108. Hi Stacy!

And Welcome! DU is a lifesaver for me as well and I have been a Democrat since birth.

[Justpat]

109. Welcome to DU.

And thanks for your post. It gives me hope.

[VOX]

112. Thank you, Stacy, for caring and for thinking things through for yourself.

A good heart and a rational mind simply cannot exist in a Republican body. :)

Looking forward to your posts. Welcome to DU! :toast:

[Tsiyu]

115. You just made this a wonderful Friday the 13th

Thank you for this post. Nominating, although it isn't necessary!;)

[LibertyLover]

116. Welcome and thanks

Welcome to DU Stacy. Thank you for being open minded and passing on what you've found out here. DU is a great site and has great people posting on it, including you.

[readmoreoften]

118. Wow, that is really amazing.

Thanks for letting us know.

[renaissanceguy]

120. Nominating this for best post.

Thank you so much!

[bpilgrim]

121. the virus is spreading ;->

psst... pass the word :bounce:

thank you for sharing and welcome to DU :toast:

peace

[Taverner]

122. Welcome aboard!!!!

And be an agent of change amongst your old Republican friends...

[yellerpup]

123. Welcome to DU!

:hi: :thumbsup:

[Beam Me Up]

125. THANK YOU for giving us HOPE! Education is the key!!

DU is a news/policy/eudcation resource. Thank you for using it and spreading the word!

[BattyDem]

126. Welcome Stacy!

:hi:

Thank you for your post. You've given me hope for our country. :-)

[MsTryska]

127. Congratulations and welcome to you too....

and keep on enlightening the populace. :)

[Zhade]

128. Wow! Welcome home. You're the type of newbie we can't get enough of!

Each one teach one, indeed!

:toast:

[FizzFuzz]

129. Welcome Stacy! Your post gives me the chills!

Warm Fuzzy chills!!!

This is wonderful, I can't even describe how inspiring it is to see the light spreading!! This is IT! THIS is the LIGHT!!

So very very important!!

Let's All keep on spreading the light together, one heart at a time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:grouphug:

[evlbstrd]

130. Welcome aboard!

It can be a choppy ride, but we've got a destination!

[shance]

132. Another "RR" wishing you the warmest of welcomes****

Thanks so much for an inspiring, *much needed* post.

I come from Texas and was raised in a conservative world, along with a being the youngest in a politically active Republican family, and like you I 'didn't really know any better' either.

Its all I knew.

I think that is how that culture and world maintains and sustains itself, don't you? By staying inside the box and not venturing out of an insulated, pretty segregated world.

What I have pretty much concluded in my *spiritual path* from Republicanism to 'Democratism', is for me its not really as much about political parties as it is about doing whats in the highest good for everyone. That seems to have become more my perspective.

You and your father sound top notch, regardless of what party affiliation!! As long as we all keep seeking the truth, I think we'll do fine :)

Peace friend, thanks for a wonderful post and looking forward to seeing you around DU***

[TomClash]

133. Welcome to the fight, Sister!

Good job getting your Dad on your side and mixing it up with the rightists.

Gee, Stacy, you're already doing better than the Democratic Leadership Council!

:dem:

[Blue Belle]

134. Hi Stacy...

Welcome to the no "kool-aide" party....

:hi:

[ariellyn]

135. THANK YOU Stacy from the bottom of my heart for bringing us hope. n/t

[calimary]

136. Oh man, what a wonderful read! WELCOME! YOWZA!

This warms my heart!

DU has become almost like a drug-of-choice for me - I turn to it several times a day for information, world-class discussion and debate, new perspectives I hadn't thought of myself, motivation and inspiration. Your post is worth its weight in chocolate decadence truffles.

VERY glad you're here! We need people of enlightenment and courage like you. Heck, our whole troubled country needs people like you. Settle in and enjoy your new extended family!

:toast:
:yourock:

[Window]

137. Welcome Stacy!

What a wonderful story.

[lakeguy]

138. SWEET!

[AmBlue]

139. From a newbie to a newbie...

WELCOME!! :hi: Your story is so uplifting. Thanks for telling it.

I've always been a Democrat and, with each and every little bit I've learned about politics, without even really trying to, I managed to convert my husband and a few others. Knowledge is a powerful thing and there's plenty of it right here. Come partake often!!

[Terry in Austin]

140. Awesome, Stacy!

What a great story -- even got a little misty here. Your honesty and courage set an inspiring example. That goes for your dad, too.

A heartfelt welcome to DU, and to "this side of things" in general. We've all got a lot of work ahead of us!

Terry

[Nothing Without Hope]

142. Welcome and thanks for the hopeful message! See this other thread -

the truth is CONTAGIOUS!!! And so is the warmth and support of a true community based on a worthy common goal. Tell your parents we see them as HEROES. After all, your dad might miss deals and certainly irritates his friends, but he puts telling them important truths as more iimportant.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3652906
Thread title: “OMG - my parents LEAVE the Republican Party!”

[Qanisqineq]

143. Hello Stacy

Part of the solution is admitting you have a problem. Heehee! ;) :D

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Nothing Without Hope]

144. A REQUEST FOR STACY AND HER WONDERFUL PARENTS: What do they

suggest as the best ways for progressive Democrats to GET THE MESSAGE OUT? Your dad is doing it by word of mouth, which is powerful and essential, but he is only one person. How can we help?

Billboards like these?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3648006
Thread title: “Cool Dem Billboards!!! Check it out (from kos)”

Please ask your parents for their advice on what they think would work best in their community. We can't afford lots of TV time, but there are other ways as long as we have a message of truth and hope. But what's the best way to reach these people so that they will stop and begin to ask questions rather than believing everything the GOP is telling them?

We really need to know how to use our scarce resources to best effect, and I think your dad, especially, might have some solid advice. Please ask him for us!

[GetTheRightVote]

146. The ripple effect of truth is happening, people know lying

and * is lying right up to his eye brows.

:kick:

[Melynn]

147. We love you Stacy

Thank God you saw the light. You're beautiful. :loveya:

[JerseygirlCT]

148. Wow. Boy, that's good to hear. Thanks, Stacy. nt

[hector459]

Hello Stacy. Nice to hear about your recovery.

You are welcome here and thanks for sharing your story with us. We can change the world...on person at a time...you just proved it.

[NMMNG]

149. Welcome Stacy,

Glad to have you here :hi:

[shayes51]

150. great post

[Kurovski]

151. Cool.

:hi:

[Sparkly]

152. Hi Stacy!

Good for you, and your Dad!! And thanks for such a wonderful post! :hi:

[tavalon]

153. Thank you for having an open mind

Give yourself credit too. You changed you.

Thanks for the inspiring lift.

[AuntiBush]

154. Welcome fellow One-Time Republican! HI!

:hi:

Me, too! I now carry my Democrat voting card proudly, as well!

Welcome!!! Oh, and by the way, I'm seeing a "LOT" of Republicans turn against their party also. People are beginning to get very angry. And these are folks I don't even know, just in passing (I over hear them now, daily).

Any hoot, welcome! Look foward to your postings!

:loveya:

[crispini]

155. Wow!

:thumbsup: Great post! Thank you, and welcome to DU!

[Ladyhawk]

156. " I grew up in a conservative household and honestly didn't know

any better."

Welcome to the club, Stacy! :) I officially converted only two years ago, so don't feel badly. Only brave people change their minds on major issues. You were willing to re-evaluate everything. That speaks volumes about your integrity and lust for truth.

Welcome to DU!

[Coloradan4Truth]

157. Yea! Welcome Stacy! n/t

[Digit]

158. Very encouraging post, Stacy, and welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Flammable Materials]

159. Welcome, Stacy.

:)

[Botany]

160. Welcome to the home of ........

..... "I disagree w/ what you say but I will defend to the death your
right to say it."

Welcome Stacy ..... stop by the KOEB ...... between 8:00 and 9:00 PM
find us in DU groups .... under Countdown with Keith Obermann .....
just fun, snark, and friends .... tell the bar tender you know me.

:loveya: Stacy

[eridani]

161. Your dad probably realizes that--

--if our economy goes much further down the tubes, he isn't going to have as many customers.

[BlueIris]

162. Little late to the party, here, but welcome!

DU.com is a happy place, I swear! As you have observed, we are friendly, kind, intelligent, diverse and like to help effect change. Please continue to contribute! Share the joy.

[Vektor]

163. Welcome Stacy!

To DU and to the Dem party. Your story is a great and heartwarming one. We're glad to have you, and give your dad a high five for me too! :-)

[Flying Dream Blues]

164. Welcome, Stacy! Great post!

[Ilsa]

165. Welcome, Stacy!

I matured around a bunch of Republican business people that didn't have hearts. Fortunately, I remained open-minded because what they said didn't make sense in the final analysis.

There are alot of proud "always Dem" folks here, but I think converted people like you are the heart and soul of this party as they know what it means "to change" and how to bring others into the light.

[ignatius 2]

166. Awesome, what a beautiful testemonial. Thanks for this heartfelt post and

may you stay with us in the good fight to take our country back from these neocon nutjobs.

Peace and welcome.

[steve2470]

167. My story is a bit like yours. Now I have a Kerry AND a DU

bumper sticker on the back of my car. That is revolutionary for me.

[UpInArms]

168. Welcome Stacy!

We are (as you can see) all so glad that you are here!

:grouphug:

Here's one for the weekend



and I look forward to seeing you Monday at the SMW!

:hi:

[orleans]

169. hey Stacy. Glad you made it here

[Cha]

170. You're certainly making my

day, Stacy! With all the doom and gloom happening in the World it is so amazing to read your story.

:toast: to you and your dad!

[alarcojon]

171. Welcome aboard, Stacy

and I think your story helps highlight how we cannot paint all Republicans as hopeless morans. A few, like you, are basically raised that way and can come to understand the world more accurately. I teach at a public university in a rural area and constantly see young people who come in with their parents/communities narrow views. Once they begin to learn about the world around them, many of them start to rethink these views, sometimes quite significantly. That is why the Right focuses so much of their energy on the educational system. In my case it's that idiot Horowitz blabbing on about the liberal bias in the academy and how we are warping these young, impressionable minds with our left-wing gibberish. Horowititz, DeSouza, and their ilk wouldn't recognize an honest, open debate if it came and slapped them in the face. Much less an idiot like Limbaugh.

[The Traveler]

172. Welcome to the party, Stacy!

We have to move on down the road and restore a two or multi-party politics to America. Every time someone like you opens their eyes, another step down that road is accomplished. It's a good thing.

And besides, we have a lot more fun!

:party:

[warrior1]

173. Kick for Stacy

Again welcome aboard.

[Grateful for Hope]

175. New here also

Hi Stacy,

I am a newbie also, but I wanted to say 'welcome'. Thank you for this inspiring post.

:hi:

[warrior1]

177. Wow Hope2006

Welcome aboard.

[Grateful for Hope]

181. Thank you!! n/t

[converted_democrat]

184. Welcome to you to hope 2006!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[otohara]

176. Big DU Welcome

Stacy - look forward to reading more posts by you! :hi:

[Misunderestimator]

178. Welcome to DU, and thank YOU for this post!

:toast:

[Jawja]

179. Hi, Stacy!

Welcome aboard...

:hi: :toast:

[yorkiemommie1]

180. Hi! and welcome!

:hi:

edited to say that DU has helped me keep sane.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

183. Welcome to DU Stacy!

:hi: :kick:

[bigwillq]

185. Welcome aboard Stacy!

Glad to have you here!:hi: