Problem with a very touchy subject

I am still going thru alot of things.  I am still unemployed, but have been working a temp. job since mid Dec.  I really like it and would like to go perm.  The job I am doing right now however, is going away at some point but the longer I stay even if it is just temp. the better off I am.  It is just prolonging unemployment.  I am taking 2 classes at the comm. college...one is computers which I need in order to get my 2 year degree in May and one just for interest, which (and I know you may think I am crazy!!!) is Intro to Russian Culture and will take Intro to Russian History in the fall.  However, at times I find it overwhelming, such as this past week.  My anxiety goes up and at times the depression gets worse.  There is one thing that is getting under my skin, and it is a very touchy subject.  I want to start off by saying, that I very firmly feel that each person is entitled to their beliefs, so please do not think I am trying to change anyones mind here.  That is not at all what is the problem.  I was raised a Republican but I look at each candidates positions and make my decisions from there most of the time.  Well, I have this friend who is so extremely Democrat that at every chance she can she totally slams Pres. Bush in front of me.  She sends jokes regarding Pres. Bush and says things about him that are not true and you can not say anything in your defense.  Just to tell you how bad it is, last fall before the elections she said to me out of the blue, that she was going to get me to vote for Kerry and I just flipped it off by saying I dont think so, and she lit in to me and was litteraly nearly crying.  She, as is anyone in my opinion can be for whoever she wants to be for.  Thats fine, it does not bother me.  What does bother me are all the jokes she sends via email and going on a tyrant at times around me.  My problem is, what do I do about it?  I avoid talking politics around her at all cost.  I just hope I have not offended anyone here.  And just to prove I am not some die hard, it looks at this point, I will be for the Democrat canidates here where I live next fall.  But for the time, what can I do to stop the jokes and slams.  For some reason it really bothers me.

Thanks,

Chelsi

Chelsi. I could hardly believe it when I read your post. I am in the same boat! A friend is a Demo and I am usually Repub. Hoever, I usually vote for whom I think will do the best job and is at least a moral person (notice I said, whom I think). I vote Demo when I think that person is best. My friend is Demo down to her little toe and she and her mother (who is in her late 80s) have slammed Bush to no end. I usually just keep my mouth shut in order to not start an argument and go on. I even avoid sending her emails that have anything to do with politics or religion. She mostly does the same. She is a good person. She's a liberal. I'm conservative. I can't change her. She can't change me. So I just ignore. We have so much else in common (books, former jobs, etc.) and she is such a good person otherwise that I love her anyway. And her mom is a doll when we don't talk politics. (She's now in an assisted care facility and going down hill fast).

Hi Chelsi,  You have received some very good advice thus far.   I also have a friend that is like this and we have to a mutual agreement to disagree on politics and religion.  I feel that this is what makes everyone different.  Your friend should not be pushing her beliefs on to you if she knows that it bothers you.  You should speak to her and let her know exactly how it makes you feel.  Good luck