The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

As anyone who puts their pants on one leg at a time should know by now, I often times write and talk about current events, especially when it comes to the world of politics. Based on the current definitions of the terms, most people view me as an uber-liberal Democrat, but I view myself as a pragmatic progressive independent who leans Democrat. I didn't come to be this way because of parental influence. My father's always been an independent, has voted every such way, and while he may be progressive at his core, he never talked politics to my brother or I when we were growing up. His side of the family leaned Democrat, but rarely ever spoke about politics when my brother or I were around during the holidays. My mother's side of the family, on the other hand, has leaned Republican, has been more outspoken about their political beliefs, but outside of her since passed father, they've tried to stray away from such discussions when my brother and I have been in town. My mot...