Party line...

I may have lost a friend today. I don't know how I feel about the situation but it is what it is. For a long time I have been in a circle of friends that are very, very conservative. They assume that everyone they associate with shares their thoughts on all topics. I have never voiced an opinion in public in this circle of friends. You see I am not a Republican. This isn't to say I don't hold certain viewpoints similar to this party on various topics. I also hold viewpoints similar to the Democrats on many topics. I try to see the world from a variety of vantage points and draw my own conclusions. This makes life difficult at points because I end up biting my tongue constantly. Today I voice my opinion on a topic that hits very close to home and my friend responded as I would have anticipated. I suppose I was finally at a point where I just needed to speak up irregardless of the consequences. I think she has realized that I am not a full fledged Republican. I suppose that now makes me a full fledged Democrat in her eyes. Not necessarily true but she only sees politics as you are either one or the other.