Houstondem, 49

I feel a bit out of place as a democrat construction worker here in Houston. I grew up in Austin(home of the hippy/hipster carpenter) and met Governor Mark White as a child. My mom was appointed the head of a health care board that met at the capitol building, by Ann Richard’s back in the 80’s. I was 20 when I voted for Bill Clinton. My only regret politically was listening to a roommate, and voting for Ralph Nader in 2000. I learned my lesson. I was upset with some of my fellow Dems for bad mouthing Joe Biden, soon after he narrowly won the presidency. I voted for Obama over Hillary in the 2008 primary, but love Hillary with all my heart, I just thought some voters would distance themselves from her due to all the negative coverage of Bill Clinton after the Monica thing. I feel much more informed politically than peers in my profession. Growing up in the home of a nurse and firefighter made me who I am today. My dad signed up for Vietnam as a pharmacist, and avoided being drafted into the infantry. He was more of a conservative democrat, which many Texans were before the republican take over. I don’t hate republicans at all. I love people, and think it’s important to respect them in their beliefs especially if they disagree. That’s patriotism!