I'm not going to talk politics in this post. I'm going to respond to the post from dismayed above.

It may seem to you, and maybe others, that I have some sort of limited worldview due to the passion I bring to a topic that is rarely discussed in this country. I love my job and, no, it doesn't "suck." Believe it or not, I live in the same world you live in. I am married, have children, love my family, watch football, own stock!, take vacations, love the simple things in life, have friends who have vastly different political views than mine and generally - just enjoy life.

Thank you, I often like your posts as well. I try, (but don't always succeed), in not being personal in political topics. I find, frankly, that my political views draw far more vindictive anger toward me personally than the run of the mill conservative poster at OKCTalk. My views are seen as very 'foreign' to most here in Oklahoma and yes, it's a minority viewpoint. So, when I express these things - it seems wild-eyed and all encompassing. I can assure you - it is not. It is but a small part of my life. The complaints I have with several of the more conservative posters is that they sometimes don't appear to be thinking for themselves and only parroting talk radio memes. Maybe to your surprise, I respect the views of those who truly think their ideas through - no matter how far they are from mine.

The comment directed at you was because you made fun of my use of the motto, "labor creates all wealth." You are absolutely right, life has many shades of grey, and all sides in political debate need to remember that. We're a polarized society in so many ways. If my posts, in this political forum, have made you think I don't see the shades of grey, I am sorry. It's really not true at all. I do. I live with it every day and rarely mention my politics to even friends. I find it skews attitudes toward our views of the other on topics that it shouldn't. An example might be that someone doesn't like what I wrote in these political forums, so when they read a post of mine about Bricktown or Midtown, they are quick to find reason that something I said was wrong or think (wrongly) that my opinion on the topic is skewed because of my politics. That's why I wouldn't care if Pete decided there are lots of outlets for political discussion on the web and scrapped these particular forums.

Many times I feel I stand alone in my beliefs here on the board. I defend my positions and try to offer my best reasoning. I can't deny that reading you write that I am "doing the opposite" when it comes to making a point or helping people in understanding my views (even a little) doesn't sting.

More than anything, after reading your first few lines, I know you have a very distorted view of my life, my job, etc. I'm just a normal guy. Really! No horns, people say I smile a lot, I love life, my family, my city - and I even love this little message board where I feel I know so many of you. I live inside those shades of grey all day - every day. To me, ones views on economics does not a person make. I don't feel that way about you or anybody else here. I hope my economic views do not color your perception of me as a person; I'm really not anything like what you seem to be thinking about me.

Have a good weekend.