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The rift was there before the election. My brother's anti-semitic in-laws are all huge Trump supporters and have at least shifted from throwing anti-semitic barbs my way at family gatherings to trying to bait me into discussions about Trump. On the other side, my aunt and uncle are the only far-right wing conservatives which makes no sense to me because they have been on disability for the past decade due to "workplace injuries" and yet seem to manage camping, hiking, remodeling their home, and pool cleanup remarkably well, all while crying about how poor they are to anyone who will listen.
The rest of us range from center right (my brother and his wife) to democratic socialist (my father) and everywhere in between. Political values don't seem to impact relationships - support for Trump does, but those who support Trump in my family all were pretty flawed in the stereotypical ways to begin with.
The liberals in my wife's family aren't speaking to the conservatives in hers but not vice versa. Kind of a tell all if you ask me.
It goes both ways. Ever since the election, my in laws have refused to go to extended family get-togethers because they are the lone conservatives... even though politics have never been discussed at these gatherings.
I always tell friends and family - As long as our Nation is secure and the economy is strong, then our current President is doing a fine job as far as I'm concerned (regardless of political party).
Discussing anything else about politics is simply a waste of time, and it won't go anywhere.
My family is pretty well split between Republican and Democrat.
The only friction that arose once was when my elderly mother called my 'tea party' sister (the one that has been receiving Federal disability benefits and Medicare benefits for 25+ years), to invite her out to dinner with another couple.
My mother was aghast when said sister asked if the couple were 'liberals', indicating that she would not attend if they were. My mother read the riot act to said sister, and they all went out for a pleasant dinner.
Oddly, my sister knew the couple, being long time friends of my parents, although she did not know them well enough, I assume, to know of their political standing. Nevertheless, it was surprisingly crass of her, and out of character.
No, my family is all conservatives and all the kids are being raised correctly. Some of you may find this difficult to accept, but I'm probably the most moderate member of my family :O
However, my best friend (since Cub Scouts), is a liberal, so I bite my tongue at times to preserve the friendship.
However, my best friend (since Cub Scouts), is a liberal, so I bite my tongue at times to preserve the friendship.
Yup. I refuse to use politics as a litmus test and I never have. I get disgusted with progressive ideology in general but refuse to let it define individuals or limit my relations with them.
Seems like my family (both sides) were taught that you don't discuss polar topics, like guns, abortion, religion or politics in mixed company.
There's no benefit to it, to arguing about it. No like I'm going to change someone elses opinion, nor are they going to change mine.
It's kinda funny when a couple of the more elderly slip into something polarized at a family gathering though, especially when one of the younger generations are there. The younger group were raised well enough to not disrespect their elders, but the seat squirming and tongue biting are kinda fun to watch. It doesn't last long, a few minutes, and I can certainly Empathize. I've mentioned to one before that it was nice that they held their tongue instead of starting an argument, no one wants to feel bad/be angry at a family gathering.
My cousin who I was close with growing up decided to marry a women that actually was the Campaign Manager for Pat Quinn of Illinois. She is a devote liberal that works for SEIU now . After he married her I noticed a bunch of his anti-trump facebook posts by him . I started to debate him with facts and then he would call her in as "backup" to take over the debate. He never seemed liberal until he married her tho....
This is why God invented sports and weather. To give people who love each other something innocuous to talk about that won't cause any unnecessary divisiveness. Of course now sports and the weather have become politicized so now we have to find something else.
Liberals do not want to talk to others who have different views
Well the default position for many on the left seems to be "if you disagree with me you are a racist, misogynist, homophobic, Islamaphobic, anti-Semitic, gun loving, children hating, perverted closet homosexual". You just can't have a civil conversation within that context. Best to just not have the conversation at all. Of course then they call you a snowflake. lol **** them anyway.
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Best to just not have the conversation at all. Of course then they call you a snowflake. lol **** them anyway.
