Code Neon Blue!

A weird thing happened today. I was exploring the VAN site (Voter Access Network) because we are going to be using it tomorrow. We have some precincts here in Prowers County where former captains have moved away or whatever, so we need new victims candidates.

I was looking up a friend because I was going to ask if she wanted to be on the mailing list for the Prowers Dems email newsletter. I figured she was registered as a Dem because I really like her, I deeply respect her tremendous contributions to our community, and she is one of a very TINY subset of people I think of as real, genuine Christians living their faith as the Lord intended. But she MIGHT have been an Independent. So I checked.

She’s a registered Republican.

I have to admit it, I was freaked out. And then I felt guilty for feeling that way. Because in theory I believe no one should be judged as a stereotype, but “on the content of their character", etc.

Part of the reason I feel weird is because, well, I think of myself as a tolerant, non-judgmental person. After all, some of my relatives are…you know, elephant-friendly. It’s not so hard to tolerate THEM. Maybe because they are tolerating me right back….

It’s just kind of easy to fall into the Us v. Them mindset, especially when a person spends so much time online keeping up with current events and goings-on in the political arena.

Maybe this discovery will help me do a better job of being open-minded and fair.

I hope so. If it does, it’s yet another fine public service my friend has rendered.