Decline of the GOP - XVII

[CrimsonJazz]

Politics Is Destroying American Friendships, And It's Getting Worse

A new study finds 37% of Americans lost a relationship over politics, with Democrats most likely to say they walked away.

studyfinds.com

I mean, if at this point in the 2nd Trump administration, you are still all-in on the agenda, you've got a lot more things to worry about. Such as your very sanity.

Truly, the only Trumpsters I have in my life right now are very few, one ardent MAGA brother, the other is semi-invalid, yet he tows the line out of senility(I think).

Other than that, my wife has a few friends of that stripe, but I can't think of any personal friend who follows the Orange One. I'm just not wired to give those people the time of day.

Bill Maher went absolutely nuclear on people like this on Real Time and as is often the case with him, I was in total agreement. I'd post the bit, but you can probably imagine how quickly it would get taken down and me taking a vacay. Still, it's worth looking up if you have the time.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Bill Maher went absolutely nuclear on people like this on Real Time and as is often the case with him, I was in total agreement. I'd post the bit, but you can probably imagine how quickly it would get taken down and me taking a vacay. Still, it's worth looking up if you have the time.

The lefties loved Maher when he was a hard-core lefty. Then he started leaning more centrist and they hate him. So now both sides accuse him of being for the other side. It has been fascinating to watch.

 

[CrimsonJazz]

The lefties loved Maher when he was a hard-core lefty. Then he started leaning more centrist and they hate him. So now both sides accuse him of being for the other side. It has been fascinating to watch.

Well hell, I know exactly how he feels. My liberal friends think I'm a conservative (whatever that is now) and my conservative friends think I'm one step away from going full commie. And the stupid thing is, I'm more anti-communist than they are. But apparently all it takes is for me to be anti-death penalty or pro-drug reform and suddenly I'm the next Stalin (who was demonstrably NOT anti-death penalty.) Don't even get me started on the liberals who react like I just farted into a microphone if I suggest that mass deportations are a good idea. Lord have mercy, this country.......

 

[Its On A Slab]

Bill Maher went absolutely nuclear on people like this on Real Time and as is often the case with him, I was in total agreement. I'd post the bit, but you can probably imagine how quickly it would get taken down and me taking a vacay. Still, it's worth looking up if you have the time.

While it is not wise to end familial or friendship relationships willy-nilly, there does come a point where you have to just say, "I don't know what to say to you anymore, but maybe we just need to stop talking about politics".

At that point, if the other person is persistent in advocating what I consider utter hogwash, stuff without any factual merit, I can just stop listening to them. Maybe call the funny-farm wagon.

Valujet (Randy, former moderator here) was a lifelong friend of mine, my brother from another mother. We had a huge falling-out back in the early 2010s, and didn't speak to each other for a couple years. Thankfully, we made amends and were back to being snide goofballs by the time he passed away a couple years ago.

 

[AWRTR]

While it is not wise to end familial or friendship relationships willy-nilly, there does come a point where you have to just say, "I don't know what to say to you anymore, but maybe we just need to stop talking about politics".

At that point, if the other person is persistent in advocating what I consider utter hogwash, stuff without any factual merit, I can just stop listening to them. Maybe call the funny-farm wagon.

Valujet (Randy, former moderator here) was a lifelong friend of mine, my brother from another mother. We had a huge falling-out back in the early 2010s, and didn't speak to each other for a couple years. Thankfully, we made amends and were back to being snide goofballs by the time he passed away a couple years ago.

Now that politics rules everything and we all have to have a tribe and pick a side it's made the entire country worse. I don't cut people out of my life because we disagree on politics or policy. The world was better when politics weren't discussed at the dinner table. I feel sad for people that can't have friends that don't believe what they believe.

I have had people dump me because of my beliefs. I've lost friends because I don't believe men can become women. That was their choice to end the relationship not mine. I've moved on and I'm fine. I miss some of the relationships that I've lost, but there's nothing I can do about it and I would still help them if they had a need and they would let me.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I guess it all depends on your temperament - I have friends and family that are MAGA and friends and family that are pretty liberal. If politics comes up with those of either side, I just stay out of it. I cannot remember the last time I was around a political argument in person, largely because I avoid people who cannot not talk politics. Thankfully, those people are few and far between IRL.

For some people, it's their religion, so I just smile and shrug...

 

[AWRTR]

I guess it all depends on your temperament - I have friends and family that are MAGA and friends and family that are pretty liberal. If politics comes up with those of either side, I just stay out of it. I cannot remember the last time I was around a political argument in person, largely because I avoid people who cannot not talk politics. Thankfully, those people are few and far between IRL.

For some people, it's their religion, so I just smile and shrug...

Yeah I stay out of it as well. Vote how you want to vote, but I've got a life to live and it can't be centered around what Obama, Biden, Trump, or the next boogeyman is doing all the time. I recommend people completely dominated by politics to go outside touch grass and buy a life.

 

[CrimsonJazz]

While it is not wise to end familial or friendship relationships willy-nilly, there does come a point where you have to just say, "I don't know what to say to you anymore, but maybe we just need to stop talking about politics".

At that point, if the other person is persistent in advocating what I consider utter hogwash, stuff without any factual merit, I can just stop listening to them. Maybe call the funny-farm wagon.

Valujet (Randy, former moderator here) was a lifelong friend of mine, my brother from another mother. We had a huge falling-out back in the early 2010s, and didn't speak to each other for a couple years. Thankfully, we made amends and were back to being snide goofballs by the time he passed away a couple years ago.

And this is the way. See, I rarely talk politics in real life so if I do have a political take, I post it on this board. This not only protects my relationships with family and friends, it shields me from being exposed to the very worst of political talk: dealing with people who have no idea what they're talking about.

I have a sister-in-law who votes Dem, but ask her why that is and she will honestly tell you: I just always have. She has NO IDEA why she votes the way she does and this is worse than dealing with the extremists. At least I can make fun of the people who take this stuff way too seriously, but her level of ignorance puts me into a rage I can literally feel in my pulse. So yeah, no politics away from TF. It's a good personal rule that has worked out well for me.

 

[Its On A Slab]

And this is the way. See, I rarely talk politics in real life so if I do have a political take, I post it on this board. This not only protects my relationships with family and friends, it shields me from being exposed to the very worst of political talk: dealing with people who have no idea what they're talking about.

I have a sister-in-law who votes Dem, but ask her why that is and she will honestly tell you: I just always have. She has NO IDEA why she votes the way she does and this is worse than dealing with the extremists. At least I can make fun of the people who take this stuff way too seriously, but her level of ignorance puts me into a rage I can literally feel in my pulse. So yeah, no politics away from TF. It's a good personal rule that has worked out well for me.

My discussion with my MAGA brother the other day, he is a redheaded peckerwood and feisty temper, when I told him my view about Cuba/Iran/Venezuela/Greenland/Alberta, my phone started blowing up with texts. It's like he gets angry when his views are contradicted.

I will screenshot the texts because he was in the betting mood. I told him that, if you aren't committed to putting boots on the ground to accomplish these things, nothing is going to happen. And in many respects, it's a good thing. The country is really tired of endless wars.

 

[arthurdawg]

My discussion with my MAGA brother the other day, he is a redheaded peckerwood and feisty temper, when I told him my view about Cuba/Iran/Venezuela/Greenland/Alberta, my phone started blowing up with texts. It's like he gets angry when his views are contradicted.

I will screenshot the texts because he was in the betting mood. I told him that, if you aren't committed to putting boots on the ground to accomplish these things, nothing is going to happen. And in many respects, it's a good thing. The country is really tired of endless wars.

My brother is a hardcore conservative hardcore right winger... Not sure he is entirely MAGA as Trump has lots of not conservative points. He knows I disagree with many of his points and over time he has learned to just keep it to himself. I try to keep the peace for our mother's sake. I have however, made it clear that I will no longer sit around and listen to him rant without saying my peace and that has actually made him shut up even more. He has had every advantage in life and has not taken them and would be happier if he didn't blame minorities and the democrats and the lefties for his own failures!

 

[Bamaro]

I guess it all depends on your temperament - I have friends and family that are MAGA and friends and family that are pretty liberal. If politics comes up with those of either side, I just stay out of it. I cannot remember the last time I was around a political argument in person, largely because I avoid people who cannot not talk politics. Thankfully, those people are few and far between IRL.

For some people, it's their religion, so I just smile and shrug...

Religion is based on faith. Politics should be based on fact. When politics stops being based enough on facts and strays into faith, problems occur.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Religion is based on faith. Politics should be based on fact. When politics stops being based enough on facts and strays into faith, problems occur.

A vast majority of the tribalists are faithful to their core.

 

[Its On A Slab]

A vast majority of the tribalists are faithful to their core.

We see this play out here daily. Inordinately among those who lack self-awareness.

The accusers are usually projecting.