Let’s Express Our Differences With Humor, Understanding

Sat., Feb. 14, 1998

Martha Pomerleau Special To Opinion

I moved to Spokane after living in Nashville, Tenn., Washington, D.C., and Chicago, and still remember how friendly people were here. I was also amazed that everyone was white and Republican! I became a “closet Democrat.” Well, after more than 20 years here I confess: I’m still white and still a Democrat. Being a Democrat in Spokane has been a heavy cross to bear.

I dropped out of Bible study because I wasn’t comfortable Clinton-bashing after Bible study. I was eventually drummed out of the garden club. I thought I was making a lot of new friends and helping the group with its mission - protecting and promoting Spokane’s great natural beauty. But, I guess, I seemed different and they didn’t like my newfangled university ideas.

But there’s more to confess. I’ve been called a bleeding-heart liberal, and I try to be Christian - part of the highly unorganized, seemingly ineffectual “Christian Left.” For example, I prefer to make moral decisions myself, with guidance from my church, rather than let the Republicans (or Democrats) make them for me. I believe it is better to plan the birth of children than to let “accidents” happen and call them holy. If a woman decides to send the soul of her unborn back to God, she may feel that is better than allowing a baby to be born without the protection of a loving mother and father.

I think our nation is better off if we redistribute wealth just enough to keep the gap between rich and poor from getting so great that there is a violent uprising. I believe in paying people a wage they can live on so they don’t need welfare. There will always be some who can’t work, and I’ll pay taxes to help them.

What a confession! My husband and I may have to leave town or hide behind an unlisted number. I’m also for gun safety, so I may get a death threat. Gun people who don’t like other people’s views have guns! Coming out can be dangerous. I would sign my maiden name only, but the newspaper won’t publish my confession if I do.

Forgiving isn’t easy, but we need to make allowances for God’s other children, even if they don’t agree with us. My husband doesn’t agree with me most of the time.

The question is, “Are we willing to listen to each other and try to understand?” Maybe gentle humor could help. If people can express what they believe without fear, we could all probably learn something.

MEMO: Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a Your Turn column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write Your Turn, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615.

Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a Your Turn column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write Your Turn, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615.

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