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I live in Trump/Graham country. Most of my friends and family do not share my views other than my sister. I can talk politics with people I disagree with if we can discus civilly without name calling. One of my best friends is a Trump supporter and we were talking about an issue the other week that we both disagreed with. At the end of the conversation, both of us said we at least see the other's point of view
Another friend brings up politics a lot. His wife is a really big Trump supporter. She and I don't talk politics. It's understood that's a bad idea. Sometimes he and I will talk. He voted for Trump, but is not happy with a lot of things he's done. He's a Never Democrat though, so I'm sure he will vote Trump again. The one thing I don't understand about them is they have been on Obamacare for the last few years, but they voted for people who are trying to kill the ACA. He also tells me he's worried about his taxes this year although he has nit started looking at them yet.
I have an ex-Brother-in-law I could not talk politics or religion with. He would raise his voice and tell anyone who would listen that we were wrong and he was right. We were always cordial to each other at family gatherings, but there were times I would have to leave the room when he got on is high horse. Now when we see each other at Walmart or whatever, we also stop and chat and never talk politics or religion.
I think it's shameful when blood relatives can't get together because of politics.
My brother & I are on opposite sides when it comes to politics so we have an agreement that we will not & do not ruin our precious time together (he is very ill) with nonsense like trying to argue our points because in the grand scheme of things it means very little & we both are allowed to have our own opinions.
I have an elderly grandfather who sends out scathing emails about how "the libs" are ruining the world. I now just hit delete when I see anything from him in my inbox.
The funny thing is that we get along perfectly fine in person. He doesn't talk about his politics and I do not talk about mine. I'd say the extended family is split down the middle, with some people caring more about their ends of the spectrum than others, but we just have an unspoken policy not to argue about it at family gatherings (which I don't attend much, because I live far away). Occasionally my grandfather will talk about his frustrations with taxes or something when I'm there, and I just let him talk and nod and validate his feelings to a point, then I change the subject by asking him him for advice regarding my camera or my garden, which are two topics he loves and excels at.
So in other words, we all act like grownups in person. I don't know why he continues to send the emails,, because nobody responds to him as far as I'm aware. My brothers and I sometimes joke that Grandpa is attempting to be an internet troll.
But really, I have friends from all parts of the political spectrum. I'm not friends with jerks, though. So if someone persisted in being combative, I'd simply not elect to spend time with them. We can generally have civil discussions about politics and can be respectful of each others' opinions even when we vehemently disagree.
Get the hell out of my house and let me eat my Thanksgiving dinner in peace.
My two younger sibs are libs and not allowed in my house. It is a very big house and thus is often selected for Holiday get togethers. However, as the host, my wife won't let me "hide" in other parts of the house and ignore the relatives, so I have just banned a few, as they can't keep their G-damn mouths shut when I just want to eat some turkey and watch the Lions get their asses kicked.
That’s a shame, you seem like you’d be such pleasant company, too.
It would be fine to have a discussion but I have zero respect for someone who cannot do that without getting rude, insulting or combative. If someone is an extremist, they are probably brainwashed and unhinged anyway and I would stay away from them.
I don't talk politics or religion with my family members. We have different views and neither of us want to go down that road. Plenty of other stuff to talk about.
My sister in law is a far out Lefty Loony and typical Trump hater. She is the type that laid down in the streets of NYC when people were doing that in protest. She is a P***y hat wearing, marching for whatever the latest outrage is that weekend.
Her latest stunt was to accost a couple at an airport because they dared to wear down jackets.
She flipped out on me in a big way on facebook when I dared to mention that I liked Trump. The rant was so bad it was removed by the friend that started the talk.
Needless to say we don't talk anymore.
Maybe it is best for you to keep your distance.
It sounds like she is incapable of having any type of discussion unless it's to get her ego stroked.
As you said, in such an extreme case, you should simply keep your distance. I'm sure many have done the same and that she has probably shed many friends in the process.
The below response applies quite well:
Quote:
Originally Posted by tamajane
It would be fine to have a discussion but I have zero respect for someone who cannot do that without getting rude, insulting or combative. If someone is an extremist, they are probably brainwashed and unhinged anyway and I would stay away from them.
The people on the end/each extreme in my family all have IQs of 150+, have graduate degrees, know their 'points', and aren't going to be persuaded/budged by anyone.
I really don’t understand families that put politics over relationships. My family is a mix of conservatives and liberals, but we all get along and love each other no matter what. I don’t care if people think differently than me. I actually enjoy our debates (though mostly we just don’t talk about politics).
The two people in my family who are on the absolute opposite ends of the spectrum actually get along very well. Despite their differing views, they have a lot of respect for one another. Both have doctorates, both have IQs of 165+, and they are the two wealthiest people in my family (the only ones who each have a net worth of $50 million+).
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