OK, I've begun a relationship with a Conservative woman

[DainBramaged]

Master's degree in one of the biology disciplines, works for a bio-tech firm, husband passed away two years ago (he was an indy film maker, 15 years older and one of us). I'm not sure if her labeling herself as Conservative is correct. We were introduced by a mechanical engineer I know who works there. Chemistry is very very good. Multi-hour phone calls, no politics. Great dinner date. VERY smart and funny lady.

When you are a Senior (mature) citizen of 56, relationships are hard to come by.



I've been alone for too long. I have said I would never go out with a Conservative, but that little bird on my shoulder keeps saying "don't be an asshole crank it up".

Opinions are valued and encouraged.

[Bjornsdotter]

1. If she makes you happy

....then that's all that matters.

Best of luck in finding that special person to share your life with...

Cheers :toast:

[ornotna]

2. I think you've said it all

Do it.

[Gormy Cuss]

3. Give it a chance.

I have friends who are very conservative but they're not dismissive of my views. They will always be there for me through thick and thin even if we'll never agree on social policy or politics.

If this woman's like that then it's worth it with good chemistry overall. You'll never know if you don't give it a shot.

[cwydro]

4. Hey

I think it is ridiculous if two people cannot get along just because of politics.

My parents have agreed to disagree for over 50 years...so go for it guy!

[jilln]

19. I don't think it's ridiculous at all.

If you hold certain values and your partner holds the OPPOSITE values, wouldn't you always just think in the back of your mind that they were wrong or dumber than you or deluded?

Each case is different and there are degrees, but say I had a lot of chemistry with someone like John Ashcroft. No matter how much chemistry there was, I would never respect him.

[Arugula Latte]

21. I feel exactly the same way you do, jilln ... but I guess not everyone does.

So, I guess trusting the gut is always the best policy.

[hfojvt]

22. values are not about intelligence though

They are about heart or worldview and taste. Do I think somebody who, say, likes Steely Dan, is dumb or deluded just because I don't like them?

Doesn't being a scientist mean that you accept that your knowledge is not complete in many areas. Even more so as a social science, which is not nearly as settled as physics.

[jilln]

23. Um, not liking a certain kind of music

is not a good example in my opinion. It just seems to me that if you are working towards something in your life, it would be hard to be with someone who seems to be UNDOING what you're trying to do all day. For a political example, if you were working against the deportation of illegal immigrants or for an amnesty or whatever, would you date a Minute Man? If you are a paleontologist can you be with someone every day who denies evolution? I think it would be very hard no matter how much you were alike in other areas.

[hfojvt]

39. I am just saying that the differences are not necessarily based on

intelligence. If I am working against the deportation of illegal immigrants does that mean I think everyone working for other ends is stupid, or racist? Also, minutemen are not working to deport are they? I thought their thing was 'preventing more from entering'.

[jilln]

40. We're not understanding each other...

but I do agree it's not necessarily based on intelligence. That was just one of the options I gave in my original statement, and it was just meant to be an example of how you might end up viewing the other person.

[cwydro]

5. dupe

sorry

[Gold Metal Flake]

6. Two words...

Conversion fantasy.

Make it happen!

[Bullwinkle925]

7. You know in your gut if its right for you.

I wish you all the best.

[SPKrazy]

8. If you get along, then what the hell?

why not

:shrug:

[Whoa_Nelly]

9. Good for you!

And know what you mean....

The older we get, the slimmer the pickin's :hi:

[Nicole]

10. Run!!!!!!!

Run to the phone & make another date. :toast:

[DainBramaged]

11. And I forgot to mention she lives about an hour and a half away.

So I'm either going to have to bring my 13 year old Terrier along or find big diapers for her.

[skygazer]

20. Bring her along

If the dog and the woman get along, you know you're on the right track. Politics is only one thing among so many - it doesn't have to be a sticking point if people are respectful of each others views. I say go for it. :hi:

[DainBramaged]

44. She has a female 8 year old pointer

I think they will get along famously. I'm going to ask if we can come over to play tomorrow.

[rug]

12. Ask her if she's in favor of pulling out.

[DainBramaged]

13. Is that a joke?

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. Give it a chance. My hubby is conservative and we scrape along all right.

[DainBramaged]

15. I want this to work, just a wonderful lady

Maybe I'll never mention politics.


Off to work. Working on Saturday and on a Holiday weekend just sucks.

[zanne]

16. You are not a Senior Citizen until you are 65.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. (I'm 55).

[Crabby Appleton]

17. go for it. nt

[jilln]

18. Being a conservative is OK

If you have a valid reason for it and THINK about it. The conservatives I have problems with are rooted in fear and so swallow everything the government tells them. If she is as smart as you say, I doubt she's the latter type. But that begs the question, if she's smart why is she conservative ;-?

I have a coworker who insists he's a Republican but every time we talk about issues, he agrees with me (without convincing). He just THINKS he's a Republican because his family is.

Go for it. Everyone has some flaw ;-)

[patricia92243]

24. Listen to the bird. n/t

[Karenina]

31. Listen to the DOG!

;-)

[DainBramaged]

41. HAHAHAHAHAHAH

[Downtown Hound]

25. Just do what the voices in your head tell you to do

It's always worked for me.

[I Have A Dream]

26. If you are happy, why not give it a try? If it doesn't work out, then at least you...

won't always wonder what might have been.

:)

[Zhade]

27. For the love of all that you stand for, WHY?

I will never understand how anyone could be with a person so opposite them in values and truth.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

43. I don't get it either, necessarily, but I'm all for people trying, especially if they can't get .

anything more. Sometimes it's just an infatuation or strange curiosity that has to be burned out. Sometimes it's more.

[philosophie_en_rose]

28. Don't be an asshole, crank it up.

:)

I think you should be careful about not addressing politics at all, because it might be surprisingly upsetting later.

However, you're just getting to know her. There's no reason not to get to know her better. Maybe it won't work out, but I don't see why you should cut off an opportunity just because of a label.

[u4ic]

29. If that's all she identifies herself as

then of course that's a concern. I think that goes for anyone who identifies themselves with one thing only.

But it doesn't sound like it. There is a continuum on the political spectrum; not all conservatives are freepers. Getting to know her is the only way to find out; labelling isn't.

Go for it! Best of luck! :toast:

[BikeWriter]

30. Politics WILL come up!

[salin]

34. Of course it will - but the question is how the differences

will be handled. Some folks can handle the differences with grace, and others are so combative that there can be no "agree to disagree" standdowns. I would suggest letting things play out and discover how the dynamics of political differences work. Sounds like the woman in question has had a successful "cross-political" marraige (from the OP) so she probably can take the 'accept as is' and 'agree to disagree' position rather than duke out any argument to the bitter end.

I wish the OP Duer the best of luck with this.

[Ishoutandscream2]

32. Don't worry, be happy

Sounds like a great relationship to me.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[liberalpress]

35. Actually you might br OK..

I have many true conservative friends. We agree on many things, our basic disagreement is on the governments involvement in those things. Conservatives are well-meaning people with a different point of view. NEO-conservatives are usually self-serving, inconsiderate prigs. Your GF sounds like the former. There's no way anyone but another NEO-con could love the latter

[Akoto]

36. Good for you!

I, for one, refuse to blanket judge people. I do believe there are good conservatives out there, and if she makes you happy, more power to you.

[Kansas Wyatt]

37. I've been dating mine for about four months now.

Have fun.

[Mojambo]

38. "My Conservative Girlfriend"

She's a real Type A
And she's over-insured
Her favorite castaway
Is Thurston Howell, the third
She doesn't like big government so it's no surprise
I can be her lover long as I downsize

My conservative girlfriend
Got a tiny little heart full of passion
My conservative girlfriend
Every Friday we go liberal bashin'

She's got the Supreme Court (Supreme Court)
Tattoed on her bum ('Tude on her bum)
Beside an autographed port (Autographed portrait)
Of Donald Rum - Sfeld.

And from the day I checked her out from front to back
I knew her private sector could take up the slack

My conservative girlfriend
Got a tiny little heart full of passion
My conservative girlfriend
Every weekend we go wilderness trashin'

(spoken)
Oh, baby, I close my eyes and I can see you ordering breakfast.
You're having the spotted owl omelet...
Whites only.
Come on, baby,
Raise my interest rate, bust my union, light my library fire...

(sung)
She only deals in quality narcotics and guns
Got a Mexican wallet made from real Mexicans

My conservative girlfriend
Got a tiny little heart full of passion
My conservative girlfriend
Her white collar and her red neck are clashin'
My conservative girlfriend
Think she's lookin' for a good tongue lashin'
My conservative girlfriend
Every Sunday we go Medicare slashin'

http://www.royzimmerman.com/lyrics/faulty_mcg.html

[WritingIsMyReligion]

42. Give it a chance. Dig a li'l deeper.

If you continue to like what you find, go for it for a long haul if that's what you want.