The Yankee Who Tried to Make a Liberal Out of Her Belle.

I think in America we tend to take the easy way out and affiliate ourselves with those who we have the most in common with especially when it comes to political party affiliations.  Being a conservative, I actually find that the majority of my friends are Democrats.  Some would ask, "How is that possible?" My response, "Hanging out and trying to relate and bond with those you have differences with is about as American as it gets." To me, that mindset is vital to keeping this country moving forward instead of staying stagnant in a perpetual cycle of bitterness, bias, racial inequalities, and social and economic injustices.  Why do our differences have to be what separates us?  Why can't our differences, in fact, be the catalyst to bringing us together and sparking new idea?  Differences can spark conversations that push us to think outside the box and our own prejudices; they can push us to be better listeners and ultimately better solution seekers to issues that threaten the very well being of our country.

I wanted to pick a subject for my interview who pushes me everyday to question my political standpoint and views.  Yes, I am a proud conservative, but I also think it is silly and dangerous to solidify yourself in one view never open to changing and growing as an individual.  My friend Ashley pushes me to do just that.

We met online over a similar interest.  Both Ashley and I are passionate about dog rescue specifically pit-bull awareness, and the plight of the breed. Ashley was like a pit-bull herself fighting to help raise money for a sweet bully named Sandy who had been starved. A month later, she brought to my attention a dog named Midnight who was up for euthanasia at a high kill shelter in New York.  Ashley helped me to convince a sales rep at my job to foster the animal, but I had to go pick him up from the shelter by Saturday. Because of Ashley and her tireless commitment to doing the right thing, I was inspired to do the right thing as well.  So early that Saturday morning, my sister and I trooped down to New York to save Midnight.  Looking back, I realize Ashley had inspired me to do what is now one of the most life changing things I have ever done; save a life. In that one text on that Thursday afternoon, Ashley helped me to start the process of growing as a woman and becoming a better human being.  Yes, one small action from another person who was so different, yet so similar to me, thrust me into the great school of life.  Together, Ashley and I had embodied the American spirit by working together and accomplishing a goal that bettered the world around us.

Ashley is a fearless, passionate, funny, and  intelligent woman who is strongly rooted in her Italian upbringing in Brooklyn, New York.  She is loyal to her friends and family along with being extremely patriotic. I know in this country there is this common label of Liberals being "less patriotic than Conservatives"; I find that label insulting and far from the truth.  Ashley was raised in a neighborhood where you had African American, Italian, and Spanish families co-existing, interacting, and raising their children together; her grandfather was an Italian immigrant and true American hero who had sacrificed his life to give back to our country by fighting in World War II.  I remember hearing a story about how Ashley would hang out with her grandfather as he made homemade Italian sausages and sauce, and how he worked hard, and how his influence on and love of her helped shape her into the person she is today.  I hear her stories, and the first word that comes to my mind is not "Liberal", instead, I see and hear "American." Outspoken, fearless, proud immigrant background, loyal, belief in equality and doing what is fair and right, and patriotic are the things that to me make Ashley as American as apple pie.

Several times a week,  Ashley sends me links or newspapers articles on current events from all over the world. During the last presidential campaign I think our different party associations actually caused more laughter and giggles than actual arguments due to her texts and fun links to columns and news feeds.  I will also get a link every once in awhile to a Chris Matthews interview, 'The Daily Show', and 'The Colbert Report.'.  Also included are links to Fox News, CNN, and the New York Times proving that Ashley doesn't just pay attention to one point of view when it comes to how she gets her news.  This is one of the reasons why I respect her views so much; she educates herself from all points of views making me more open and willing to listen her argument.   Ashley and I are both lovers of science and medicine, and I will also get links to great articles regarding these subjects. These articles are a great way for us to take our common love of medicine to agree on political matters that involve and effect our current and future careers as healthcare providers.  All of these great subjects spark these amazing conversations between the both of us that are thought provoking, enlightening, and some times life changing.  I am not ashamed to admit that many a times Ashley has caused me as  Republican to scream "Uncle!"  That is what is so awesome about this friendship.  I am forced to open my eyes and listen; I am pushed to see an issue from a different angle, and I am even forced to say I am wrong sometimes. I know, the audacity over the thought that a Republican can actually be wrong, right?

What is even more beautiful about this relationship is that most of the time Ashley and I come to a common ground on the issues.  We are actually able to seek a solution to issues that involve ideals and values from both sides.  I know that today, in America, some people might not be familiar with this process due to our sometimes petty and  stubborn politicians, but we are actually able to COMPROMISE.  Yes folks, a Liberal and Conservative compromising; it is possible.

All these reasons are why I chose to interview Ashley. She challenges me as an individual to be open to the world around me rather it be about political candidates, health care, or gun control; I may not agree with her on these issues, but I have learned how to approach them with a more open and "Liberal" mind.  Our friendship challenges me to not take the easy way out and instead be a critical thinker.  If you were to just look at our physical appearances and how and where we were raised along with being told only one fact , and that fact  being one of us is a conservative and the other is a Liberal, you would think there is no way we would get along.  I love how nothing could be farther from the truth about our friendship. It may not be evident in the interview below, but we are more similar than our political identities would have you think.  Both of us are All American girls who find laughter in our differences, enjoy and respect one another immensely, are strong rooted in our love for the country and belief that there is still hope for this great land, and who, I think, could teach our government a lesson on two on how it is supposed to be done. There are no filibusters in this relationship.

Question 1- How did you vote in the last election?  Why? 

Ashley: "Democratic; I don't relate or agree with any ideals of the Republican Party. If I attempted to vote for an extreme conservative, it would be like the scene in Jim Carey's "Liar Liar" where he attempts to write "this pen writes blue."

Question 2-  Do you think women's rights are still in danger in this country? If so, how; and which party do you feel imposes that threat the most and how? 

Ashley: "Yes, truly they are. The Republican Party is the greatest threat. Roe v wade is a constitutional right that we won and they continue to try and take that right away. Taking away a woman's right to choose or have access to birth control will force unwanted pregnancies and women will return to performing abortions secretively with dangerous objects or causing bodily harm to themselves resulting in infections and even death. This will be a further strain on the economy and tax payers; more mouths to feed; ER visits and hospital stays." 

Question 3-  What life experiences have shaped your political values? 

Ashley: "Growing up poor, with a single, uneducated mother. When we were poor and hungry, we relied on food stamps, Welfare, and Medicaid. My mother was able to go back to school because of a government funded program that gave her an opportunity to make a better life for us (WISH Program- Women In Self Help)."

Question 4-  What key issues are most important to you when it comes to US policy? 

Ashley: "Peace and equality; help where we can."

Question 5- Are you happy with your party? Are there any similarities in your beliefs as an individual that you share with your friends who do not share your same political party association? 

Ashley: "I'm happy with my party to an extent. I wish our voice could be louder. It's loudest in the North East, it's loudest on the west coast; but it can't seem to infiltrate the primarily red states. I think of myself as a direct person. I hold strong in my beliefs no matter who I speak with like minded or not. Who knows? Maybe I can convert a conservative."

Question 6.- What famous member of the party opposite of your political views do you actually agree with on some political matters, and why? 

Ashley: "Chris Christy (who unfortunately may not be relevant any longer); I think he's realistic. He realizes that even though there are a lot of Conservatives, you still need Democrats to get work done."

Question 7- What individual in your life has influenced your political views and values the most?

Ashley: "Hmmm...I'm not too sure. My grandparents are immigrants; my mother and her sisters are uninterested. I think it was just seeing what was needed to make the world turn."

Question 8- Do you think there is such a thing as "too much government?"

Ashley: "My husband is interested in conspiracy theories; he's shown me evidence of things that make me believe that there is much more than what we see. I'd rather say no, there isn't a such thing. If we didn't complain about there being too much government, I think they would be out more in the open." 

Question 9- What is your view on the efficiency of the UN, and that the US troops should submit to UN command when it comes to global conflicts because our military control already is too vast? Do you think the UN in general handles these conflicts better than the US?

Ashley: "We can blame the UN when we don't get to go to war. If the UN didn't stop us, we'd invade every country. I think our military is too vast. We're how many trillion dollars in debt? Yet the largest army in the universe, bases in how many countries that are no threat to us?"

Question 10-  Do you think American media is biased? How much of the media affects your political views? How and why? 

Ashley: "Oh lord! Too many talking heads pit us against each other. They cause hatred between brothers and friends. There are too many people who try to be more shocking, edgy and radical than the person sitting to their left or right. There's still so much racism and bigots, fear mongering extremism  for this world that we live in. Every time I turn on Fox News, the only thing that reminds me that I'm in 21st century is that they're not wearing KKK garb; because their rhetoric is the same."

Question 11- Who do like in the upcoming elections?

Ashley: "Hilary definitely.  She did well running the country for 8 years. This Benghazi nonsense is a witch hunt, and the only thing that can be held against her.  In all politics, she's got the biggest pair of balls."

Question 12- What is your stance on gun laws?

Ashley: "Gun Control...Augh; don't get me started.  I say throw them all in the Hudson.  Law enforcement only."