I'm a Racist?

About a week ago I was sitting in Starbucks doing my homework. At the table next to me were two gay men in their thirties and three very very old women. They were all members of their church's choir (Can you guess the denomination?) and were talking about music for the upcomming services. Eventually, the subject of their conversation turned to politics, the women all hated Sarah Palin one even saying that she was a traitor to women. One of the men criticized her for haveing so many children. One of the women said she should have encouraged her daughter to have an abortion and have a life instead of having a baby and marrying the father. One of the men said every one who does not vote for Obama is racist. The other mand said only ignorant rednecks will be voting for McCain. Then I felt personally insulted.

I didn't interject but I really really wanted to. What would I have said? I would have said, "I'm not voting for Obama and it has nothing to do with race. I voted for a black man for presedent years ago. I voted for Alan Keyes for President in 2000 because he was the most pro-life small government candidate who was in the race. I guess you didn't vote for him because you're all racists. The reason I'm not voting for Obama is because I love liberty and babies and belive that Obama, a socialist and a pro-abort, is a threat to both."

So, what is it that makes liberals call Sarah Palin "stupid"? What is it that makes them accuse me of racism because I am not voting for Sen. Obama. What is it that makes them think I cling to religion and my guns because of bitterness? I think I can totally understand where they are comming from. In general, they think the well-being of the group is more important than the rights of individuals. THey think the liberty of women is more important than the lives of babies. They see armed individuals as a threat. They think wealth inequality is a bad thing. I understand all that and can put myself into their shoes and argue their positions, often, better than they can argue them (I've actually read Marx, Webber, Kinsey, Friedan, Rousseau, and Frued). I don't think they are stupid and I don't usually think they are racists, unless I see clear evidence of it. (I try hard not to tink evil of anyone.) Most of the time I think their problem is that they are deceived or are starting with the wrong pre-suppositions. (Although, I really do believe Obama is wicked based on his votes on the Born Alive Infants bill.) Why don't they do the same for Conservatives? Why do they think we are stupid racists?