Cookie and Sushi, Not A Good Combo

I would have thought that all my liberal friends would finally be happy after the results of the November 4th election. The Bush Derangement Syndrome that afflicted them would be cured. Just like Jesus laying hands on the sick and infirmed, the President Elect, the Messiah would heal the liberals. As a society, we would return to more civil behavior. No longer would liberals have to endure seething anger and irrational hate. But alas, no it is not to be.

I went out for sushi with my boyfriend and another couple for a birthday celebration. They are a well-heeled couple from the upscale San Francisco Bay Area community of Los Gatos. The wife, Cookie, does not work and is currently experiencing the ‘empty nest’. For the past 8 years politics were off the list of what we could discuss at social gatherings. Cookie is a ‘one-issue’ voter. Everything is based around abortion. She hates President Bush and Christians.

Here is an example of how Cookie begins a conversation expressing her viewpoint, but shuts down any other opinion. Right after they arrive at the sushi bar, we exchange hellos, hugs and happy birthday greetings. Her next comment is “We voted for Obama, so we can’t talk politics.”

I don’t have Obama derangement syndrome. He is my President too. I hope I’m wrong about his policies. I want him to do well for our country. So, I’m curious about what specifically attracted Cookie and her husband about Obama and why this wealthy, non-practicing Jewish couple would vote for an anti-Israel socialist. When I asked her what policies attracted her to Obama, she snarled back that we could not talk about politics. When the conversation briefly turned to California’s passing of Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage, the incredible insight provided with vitriol from Cookie was “it was the Christians and the Mormons.” Actually, it was overwhelming support from blacks and Latinos and those of us who don’t like judicial activism, but then again, facts aren’t Cookie’s long suit.

I got my answer. Their vote is not about the merits of issues; it’s all about emotion.