RML, you're attempting to excuse the parents' poor behavior by blaming it on the boyfriend. After all, how dare he admit to being a Republican in a house full of liberals?

I'm sorry, but it's just inexcusable for grown adults to "target" a teenager with little (as far as we know) provocation. And even if he did bring up his political affiliation on his own, the insults described in the letter are unacceptable, not to mention juvenile and embarrassing.

Try to remove your own political bias from the equation, and imagine your own parents calling your significant other or spouse a "wackjob" for political/religious/whatever reason. Can't picture it? Well, maybe your parents aren't jerks like these ones.