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.