Definitely An Outsider

I am definitely an outsider . . . in many areas of my life, but for this post, I will only focus on my new job. I am a new employee of a public school district in our area. I teach at the adult school (which for you midwesterners is completely foreign, but yes they exist out here). I teach the GED/test preparation class. Basically, I help people prepare for their GED, high school exit exam, or any other test they want to throw at me.

Before I tell you my story, you have to remember this . . . I work in a PUBLIC school district in CALIFORNIA which in my case equals extremely liberal. After all, this is the left coast, right?

We have about a half hour break during class and many of the teachers gather in the lounge to socialize. Every day, the conversation goes political. Last week, it was all about Obama and the DNC. I could not find one person in that room that was not head over heals for Obama. Completely sold out to him, some to the point of tears. I sat quietly and listened, commenting occasionally.

I was really interested in the conversation today, given that Sarah Palin spoke last night, so I made it a point to be in the lounge at break time. Of course, the conversation went to Sarah Palin's speech, and all the comments were about how awful and destructive she is. How she is for guns, drilling, and limiting choice for women. All I said was, " I think she did a really great job last night." (Then I got some bewildered stares.)

So I think they know that I am not your typical liberal around here. They had to have figured that out already. I so badly want to say something in front of the group about my differing opinions, but I don't know how to exactly do it. I don't want to get into a debate or feel like an idiot. I don't want to offend anyone else. I just want them to know that I don't fit their mold.

I call myself an Independent. I don't want to be associated with the right-wing conservatives, although I have many beliefs and values that line up with them. And I don't want to be associated with the left-wing liberals, although I have taken a strong interest in some of their issues as well. Right now, I don't know what I am, so I call myself an Independent. I just know what I believe and want the freedom to choose a candidate based on how my values and beliefs line up with their views on important issues. I see great things in both McCain and Obama. I am not one of those who hates one becasue I support the other. I have great respect for both and think that whomever is elected will do a good job.

Regardless of who I vote for in the November election, I know one thing. I was REALLY impressed with Sarah Palin last night and think that she brings something to the Republican ticket that is worth getting excited for. So I seem to be leaning back to my Republican roots and don't fit in politically around here.

But I'm okay with being the political outsider. It's kind of fun listening to the rantings in the teachers' lounge and soaking it all in. We'll see if I get enough guts to actually say anything:)