Loving your political opposite

I try to be subtly political. It means, I have opinions (and pretty intense ones at that) but I try not to shove them down your throat. I figure it's a lot like religion and penises. You know, it's fine to have one, but don't bring it out and put it in my face.

That said, I was raised in a very socialist family. I'm not sure where it came from, but our family mantra was taking care of each other and people who had less than us. Mom and Dad made it clear helping others was important. One of the most important things - this meant helping people move, giving to charities, volunteering, giving something to someone who needed it, and not worrying about trying to be better or have more than others.

I think it was easy because we didn't have a lot more than others!

This translated to politics as we got older. If we have something and someone else doesn't (because they can't get it or they have obstacles in the way) we were taught it was important to share. Better for everyone to be equal than for there to be someone suffering. Now, our political climate has gotten less and less friendly to these ideas (in all parties, not any specific) so while I have these beliefs, I don't have any party that I am affiliated with. Until a Sask socialist party comes back, I'm just hanging out trying to figure out what will actually benefit all of us.

The Guy and I are pretty good team. We have a great rapport and a ton of fun together. He has been my saving grace during some rough times and my joy during the great times.

However, on the political spectrum... we are not on the same page. We aren't necessarily that far apart on the issues, but where I tend to be more left, he tends to be more right. Friends and family often cannot figure out how we can co-exist knowing the other is opposed to the things we support.  More than once we have voted entirely opposite of each other in major elections. In fact, in our 6 years together, we have only voted the same thing once.

We figure at least we cancel each other out. No harm, no foul.

We talk about the issues, can see each other's points of view, often agree on the issue concerns and (for the most part) how to deal with them. But, I tend to be more socially responsible and he tends to be more fiscally minded. However, both of us are aware the current systems are damaged (both socially and fiscally) and need to be repaired to be helpful in any way.

Recently, we had a big vote in our city. It made everyone lose their minds and both sides were not entirely honest nor reliable. His "side" won, though it was a close vote.

He texted me afterwards and, with a smile, asked if I saw who won.

I did. Then I warned him that was his one and only chance for triumphant gloating.

Now I can love him again until the next election.