I am sick of politics! My relaxing Labor Day weekend was almost ruined by political talk and left me wondering whether or not I’ll survive the craziness long enough to actually vote in the November election.

Saturday morning started off well enough­ – I sat on the couch for three straight hours eating cheese and obsessing over a grant proposal I’m writing – until my Republican husband returned from his Republican brother’s house all riled up and ready to argue. But I’m a Democrat and, more to the point, I hate discussing politics, particularly with aWilson. They don’t listen very well, and seem to relish the fight, especially when they can gang up on the one liberal in the entire family, little ole me. I’ve been around long enough to recognize when said bombardment is about to occur, and generally remove myself from the line of fire by offering to do dishes or change a diaper. Bottom line – I avoid political discussions with in-laws when I can.

Doo knows this about me, but couldn’t help himself. He pushed just the right buttons to draw me in to a debate. Before I realized what was happening, he was up in my grille about social welfare, education and defense spending, and I was yelling about his inability to acknowledge my right to a different opinion. By the end of our “chat” we were both emotionally spent, though I was proud that I had finally seen a political discussion with Doo through to the end (usually I run off crying when it gets too heated). As it turns out, I can make a pretty good case for my party affiliation if I’m just given the chance. Go me!

We had yet to recover when his Republican sister stopped by a bit later, so we steered the conversation towards my grant and enjoyed a solid hour of sampling apolitical gouda while Google-ing Cairo hotels. But then Doo’s parents decided to come over, fresh off the “2016” movie boat, and my day went to hell in a conservative handbag. I was forced to endure a lecture on the “unknown history” of Obama and, once again, get sucked into a political discussion. Enough!

I. Don’t. Like. Talking. About. Politics. Never have, never will. It goes against my non-confrontational nature and never seems to accomplish anything but raising everyone’s blood pressures. I understand we’re in the midst of a presidential election year and that the country has seen better days, but does that mean that politics have to consume us? Must we spend every waking moment debating candidates and their platforms? There’s more to life than politics, people, like spending holiday weekends enjoying Romney-free cheddar. Peace out.