AIBU To be sick of people making others feel bad about their election choices?

That is very gracious of you Kurri Kurri and no apology necessary. I am genuinely sorry about your bad day and hope you're feeling better soon. I will nip over to another thread and make some sweeping assumptions about the BNP before I put the potatoes on.

Fair enough Sally, lets draw a line. I am having a bad day and should not have taken it out on you, I apologise. You are of course perfectly entitled to express your views.

Kurri Kurri - Yes I've made the assumption that people on Mumsnet have time to be on Mumsnet. As you do. In your case I was spot on about the evil curse - cancer has killed all my children's grandparents, my best friend and currently doing the same to my SIL. I have nursed people with cancer on and off for the last 20 years. I am sorry you are ill and sorry I annoyed you especially when you are already having bad day. But my sweeping assumption still stands. If you read it you will see I said 'the majority of Mumsnet'. You are not the majority in this case.

Um - yes actually, my cancer treatment has kicked in with a vengeance today and I'm spending a lot of time sitting on the toilet. In between times I am sitting with a hot water bottle, looking at the computer, waiting for the next bout. Sorry - I wouldn't normally say that but, your post annoyed me, and you have made assumptions.

KurriKurri - What sweeping assumptions am I making about the people on Mumsnet?

The only one I'm aware of is pointing out that people on MN have time to BE on MN talking about politics, Sleb chit chat, which bag to buy - you must have seen the topic list. I know some people are on here needing support for very difficult situations, but the AIBU thread tends not to be where you'll find them. Whatever the reason they are here you can't deny the time spent typing away to total strangers is time that could be spent doing something else which can clearly wait. Is this assumption wrong? Or has an evil curse compelled you to be here when you'd rather be elsewhere?

SJG - you're making some pretty sweeping assumptions yourself about people on MN.

I find it really interesting to hear how people are planning to vote & why - and it is a positive thing (perhaps the only positive thing!) for me about this election that my friends & neighbours seem to be talking about it a lot in RL too.

I wouldn't judge anyone for how they were going to vote (excl BNP et al, although even then I would want to know more about why) - but I might do my damndest to persuade/entice/encourage them to vote the way that I thought best - just because I think it is so important - although I would try to do it in a way that wouldn't offend.

I think the reason you will find the left voters so much more present on here is that we are the ones expecting to lose & therefore the ones with the most incentive to get out there & try to persuade etc (although clearly not successfully in general . . .). There is IMO no excuse for rudeness or lack of understanding/respect on either side though.

"I also find people who vote Tory but have lower income a little naive." Posie Parker - my family were low income Tory voters on one side. They were a particular breed of poor working class who believed that the Welfare State discouraged hard work, promoted state dependence and punished self reliance. The types who over three generations had gone from 8 people in a room to a semi in the suburbs. To them even the most menial work was preferable to claiming any sort of benefit paid for by the rest of society. Their attitude was 'We've never asked for help so why should anyone else expect it?'. They are all dead now but their type persists. They have a stubborn pride for sure but are not necessarily naive. They believe in personal responsibility and duty to society (not, as is often misrepresented, a duty only to one's own family unit). This comes before the claiming of rights.

I admire them and am grateful. Without their attitude of 'slog hard now so the next generation can move on up' I would be in a very different life. There are a lot of working class Tories whose attitude is actually 'I work hard Jack', rather than 'I'm alright Jack'. Good on them sticking to their principles.

Why shouldn't people on low incomes live by principles? Or should they just be voting for being better off?

The other side of the family were more well-off and had the luxury of being liberals with time to chat about society. Much like the majority of MN. My Tory working class forebears were too busy er...working... to sit about doing anything like this. Aren't we all lucky to have so much spare time on our hands?

By the way, anyone making assumptions about my own vote based on my admiration for my family will probably be wrong.

I know a couple in their late 60s who have never told each other let alone anyone else what they vote - so maybe keep it quiet if the responses annoy you?

That said I respect people with conviction even if I dont agree (excepting BNP types obviously) what annoys me is the can't be bothered to vote brigade. Really have to bite my tongue with those.

ROFL @ Depechemodefan

just do what everyone does and and keep it to yourself????? I dont give a flying shit!

YABU - I am not voting at all.

my friends could vote BNP/UKIP - i wouldn't know. i wouln't disown them (though if i hear misogynist/homophobic/ rascist claptrap i will argue aganist it most strongly)

i think they are mostly big 3 though.

I also find people who vote Tory but have lower income a little naive.

YANBU - although you are sounding a bit scary .

I'm a Labour supporter, and I want everyone to vote Labour. But more than that, I just want everyone to vote. Just have an opinion, or forego the right to ever winge about the state of the nation again.

i had an ex-boyfriend who loved Kilroy-Silk and slagged off asylum seekers whenever he could and made no secret about his support of the BNP.

he's an ex.

Actually I couldn't be friends with someone who voted the BNP, but otherwise I love a good political debate and loathe apathy.

I agree it is annoying but don't let it make you feel bad. Remember they are only doing it because they know they are going to lose.

Oh yes, and homophobic, mysogynist etc. etc.

Oh yes, and BNP voters I would always judge, I'm afraid. I like to think I'm above all that, but I just cannot not judge someone who is either very gullible and don't bother to read between the lines or very racist and those are the only two reasons for voting BNP that I can see.

I would totally "defriend" someone who voted BNP.

I wouldn't be friends with a BNP voter in RL or on the internet. And before anyone says "but you don't know how people vote" I think I can be pretty secure that none of my mates are vile homophobic, sexist, racists.

yanbu
vote for who you want, I only judge people who vote BNP or women who don't vote.

Do you seriously not judge someone as a person if they vote BNP? I do. I think people who hold disgusting racist, homophobic views deserve to be challenged. And if they end up feeling bad about their choice, then thats good.

YANBU. Unless a person IS voting for the BNP, in which case they deserve everything they get.