nancyh:

I might add that spending some time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity or a local soup kitchen would provide an opportunity to see whether her beliefs could survive serious real-world challenges.

Please tell me that I'm not taking this the right way. Are you really saying that if she identifies with the Republican party that volunteering will somehow change her mind? Does that mean that once you see those less fortunate and selflessly give of yourself that it will "cure" you from being Republican?

I wouldn't necessarily call myself Republican. I try to stick to the issues and stay true to my own beliefs versus going along with what the "party" tells me to think. But at the same time, I am so frustrated with the holier than thou liberal Democrat viewpoint!

If you identify with the Republicans why does that automatically make you a selfish fat cat? Why didn't the Republican party die off years ago then? The number of truly wealthy are so few that there has to be more to it than that.

I'm on the board of our local children's museum and I've seen more charity and generosity (with time AND money) from those grossly rich (and Republican) than the average joe that brushes me off when I ask for local volunteers.