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Health & Fitness

The Other 1 Percent

Mill Valley's Closet Conservative

Much has been said in the news over the past several months about the 1 percent.

This 1 percent refers to those who control the wealth in the United States. While the Wall Street occupiers are protesting the gross profits and the inequality of the 1 percent, I’d like to also voice my protest of being among the 1 percent of Mill Valley. The figure might actually be closer to 10-20 percent but it certainly feels like 1 percent. 

I’m referring to being among the 1 percent of Mill Valley residents who consider themselves conservative or, to be even more descriptive and possibly damming, claiming allegiance to the Republican Party.

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For argument's sake, let’s say that most conservatives would generally vote Republican, and most liberals would generally vote Democrat. There are also a number who fall in the middle and bounce around like ping pong balls, depending on the topic of the day. They are the moderates or independents.

Mill Valley and most of Marin have all three. But if you roam in circles at the parks, cocktail parties, kids' soccer games and Halloween trick or treating, you’ll get the sense that all normal people vote and think by falling in line with the liberal (Democrat) mind set.  

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I’m here to tell you with this first blog on Mill Valley Patch that there is a silent minority in Mill Valley and Marin that will only remain silent for so long. Sure the Tea Party has taken strides to bring the closet conservatives or ticked-off conservatives out, but there are many who don't want to rock the boat and sit back while liberals go off at the mouth. Conservative radio talk show host Dennis Prager came up with an acronym of SIXHIRB for the names conservatives are called by liberals: "Sexist, intolerant, xenophobic, homophobic, Islamophobic, racist and bigoted.” If that’s not enough, Republicans are also: mean, selfish, religious  fanatics, rude, war mongers, obnoxious and don’t give a damn about the environment. Why would a Republican not want clean air and water?

As one who for 20 years of his adult life lived on the left side of the political sphere, I remember it all too well. Back when I was voting for Jerry Brown, Ted Kennedy, Walter Mondale, Michael Dukakis, Jessie Jackson and Bill Clinton, I myself once certainly believed all these descriptions. But as so many before me have discovered, you grow up, see the world, have kids, confront the existence of evil, study history, hear other points of view that are not liberal... and BAM, you are nailed on the head with what Winston Churchill says about those who turn 40 years old. I'm paraphrasing: “If you’re 20 years old and not a liberal, you don’t have a heart. If you’re 40 and not a conservative, you don’t have a brain.”  

I’m 53 years old now, and for about the past 10 years I have found myself in the huge minority in our community. Normally it’s not an issue being a conservative in a bastion of liberals. But it takes its toll, and one can remain silent and take body blows only so long. (“Bush is an idiot,  Republican’s are the party of no, the tea party is racist, conservatives only care about their pocket books, yadda, yadda…”)

This past week, Andrew Breitbart, my hero and a hero to the modern day right, passed away. It was a tragic loss for America and in particular to the young rebirth of conservatism. He was the right guy at the right time, who took on the media and institutions that have been so very successful in demonizing conservatives. Breitbart was an inspiration to many on the right who needed a voice to speak up and stand up to the bullies on the left.

With his inspiration, I bring to you the 1 percent (or really the 10-20 percent or more if more came out of the closet of conservatives in Mill Valley and throughout Marin) conservative point of view. I plan to chime in weekly with a perspective you will not likely read elsewhere in Marin, save for a token letter to the editor. These will be thoughts you won't likely hear at the , or . I'll focus on local, state, and national issues. 

Andrew, one of your soldiers you have inspired is ready to charge that hill...

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The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?