Loved ones with political beliefs.

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

SF VIP
Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
There are some, who swear that there are space alien alligator shape shifters walking amongst us. Of course, all the world's leaders have been replaced by these shape shifters. It might be easy to dismiss this theory as one without a tad bit of proof, but what if your dad, aunt, spouse, daughter truly believes this, and is all too eager to change your opinion. What about conservative and liberal politics in the same family?
 

I am close to people whose politics, religion, or lifestyle are very different from mine. For now, we are able to either dicuss our ideas or ignore our differences.

This is fine, as long as both parties are respectful and make the relationship a priority. But if one is "eager" to change the other's opinion, that is disrespect and the relationship is over.
 

fuzzybuddy said:
There are some, who swear that there are space alien alligator shape shifters walking amongst us. Of course, all the world's leaders have been replaced by these shape shifters. It might be easy to dismiss this theory as one without a tad bit of proof, but what if your dad, aunt, spouse, daughter truly believes this, and is all too eager to change your opinion. What about conservative and liberal politics in the same family?
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There's an uneasy silence, but family get-togethers have become much less frequent, since the 'great divide' polarization has overshadowed our society. We can get along as long as they keep their psycho-babble to themselves.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
What about conservative and liberal politics in the same family?
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My family runs the full spectrum, ultra liberal to ultra conservative, even a bit of what I call nutball thinking. Makes absolutely no difference in our family relationships. Though we do tease each other about it occasionally.
fuzzybuddy said:
There are some, who swear that there are space alien alligator shape shifters walking amongst us.
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Aren't there?
 
I like when I'm at my son's and the men are all out in the garage sitting in a circle discussing how things are going with bringing about the Lord's return, then I come out and there is total silence. I hang around for a little while as they hold their breath. Then I say I just had to get outside for a while and turn around and go back inside. It really is as ridiculous as it sounds.
 
I have a dearly-beloved aunt by marriage who subscribed to the most gawd-awful conspiracy theories, not the usual run-of-the-mill ones but some real doozies.

Because i loved her, I smiled a lot and mumbled, "Oh, interesting.....really?.....I hadn't heard that....well, whadda ya know....." These days, she's deeply in dementia and I actually miss those days.

I live in a house deeply divided by politics.....deeply. mostly, we both keep our mouths shut about the other's candidate. There's no other way to handle it.
 
Judycat said:
I like when I'm at my son's and the men are all out in the garage sitting in a circle discussing how things are going with bringing about the Lord's return, then I come out and there is total silence. I hang around for a little while as they hold their breath. Then I say I just had to get outside for a while and turn around and go back inside. It really is as ridiculous as it sounds.
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I think they respected you.
 
I don't do it, never have discussed politics in company of family or social gatherings. My husband, however, loved (as he called it discuss). What it turned into was a free for all, many angry, hurt feeings etc. Nothing is worth that. Keep your opinions to your self and then vote accordingly, or don't, as in my case. I do not even follow it enough to place a vote. I step aside and let people who are smarter, who follow it, place my vote. I know that many of you don't like that. I don't think you would like me to do your surgery, fix your car or many other things. I know for me it is a fact, part of it may come from having to listen to all the fights and yelling.
 
I love you, Blessed. I should be more like you.

I got up at four this morning and studied all the politicians and issues on my ballot and went out feeling quite smart and well informed. Then I got to the polls and felt my blood pressure rise when the line was chaotic with some people going straight to the sign-in tables and others of us waiting (sort of) patiently to be called.

Eventually, got out my license and handed it to the woman at the table and she told me to put it in a plastic box , which I did but I was supposed to stand it in the slot not lay it down!

Then she waived her arm in the direction of the ballot boxes, where I hobbled to and arranged myself and my cane and my purse and my reading glasses and that cheat sheet I'd made at four o'clock -- and then realized there was no ballot.

So I went out looking for that and I guess I'd missed an entire table. While there I said I thought the ballots used to be in the box and the young woman raised her voice and started shouting, "No Ma'am! No Ma'am! Never!" By then I was so flustered I just said "Never mind," and flounced off, although I don't flounce very well these days, what with my cane and all, so some man ran after me and made me go back and vote, talking to me like I was three years old the whole time.
 
Della said:
I love you, Blessed. I should be more like you.

I got up at four this morning and studied all the politicians and issues on my ballot and went out feeling quite smart and well informed. Then I got to the polls and felt my blood pressure rise when the line was chaotic with some people going straight to the sign-in tables and others of us waiting (sort of) patiently to be called.

Eventually, got out my license and handed it to the woman at the table and she told me to put it in a plastic box , which I did but I was supposed to stand it in the slot not lay it down!

Then she waived her arm in the direction of the ballot boxes, where I hobbled to and arranged myself and my cane and my purse and my reading glasses and that cheat sheet I'd made at four o'clock -- and then realized there was no ballot.

So I went out looking for that and I guess I'd missed an entire table. While there I said I thought the ballots used to be in the box and the young woman raised her voice and started shouting, "No Ma'am! No Ma'am! Never!" By then I was so flustered I just said "Never mind," and flounced off, although I don't flounce very well these days, what with my cane and all, so some man ran after me and made me go back and vote, talking to me like I was three years old the whole time.
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Do you live in a big city? Is this you first time voting? Do they not have directions on how to vote at your voting area? Could you have voted a day or too earlier where it might have been less chaotic?
Voting is a right for every citizen of the USA and I am very glad that 1. Someone came out to get you to go back in and 2. That you did your research and went back in and voted. Congratulations. 🎉
 
fuzzybuddy said:
There are some, who swear that there are space alien alligator shape shifters walking amongst us. Of course, all the world's leaders have been replaced by these shape shifters. It might be easy to dismiss this theory as one without a tad bit of proof, but what if your dad, aunt, spouse, daughter truly believes this, and is all too eager to change your opinion. What about conservative and liberal politics in the same family?
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Explain to them that this misconception is the fault of the BBC's Doctor Who TV show.
That should be sufficient, but if not, source the episodes and make them watch them.

Be very careful though or they may end up believing in aliens with two hearts who travel throughout time and space in a blue police box while in possession of a magic screwdriver.

Still, that could be an improvement.
 
Della said:
I love you, Blessed. I should be more like you.

I got up at four this morning and studied all the politicians and issues on my ballot and went out feeling quite smart and well informed. Then I got to the polls and felt my blood pressure rise when the line was chaotic with some people going straight to the sign-in tables and others of us waiting (sort of) patiently to be called.

Eventually, got out my license and handed it to the woman at the table and she told me to put it in a plastic box , which I did but I was supposed to stand it in the slot not lay it down!

Then she waived her arm in the direction of the ballot boxes, where I hobbled to and arranged myself and my cane and my purse and my reading glasses and that cheat sheet I'd made at four o'clock -- and then realized there was no ballot.

So I went out looking for that and I guess I'd missed an entire table. While there I said I thought the ballots used to be in the box and the young woman raised her voice and started shouting, "No Ma'am! No Ma'am! Never!" By then I was so flustered I just said "Never mind," and flounced off, although I don't flounce very well these days, what with my cane and all, so some man ran after me and made me go back and vote, talking to me like I was three years old the whole time.
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That's the advantage of mail-in ballots. You can take your time filling it out and avoid the hassles.
 
Wontactmyage said:
Do you live in a big city? Is this you first time voting?
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No, it's a small town and I've voted in every election since 1968, in four different states and two countries. I just get easily flustered these days, particularly when I'm shouted at. I actually think the man came to get me because I had signed in and if I hadn't voted it would have messed up the numbers. He was very condescending.
SeniorBen said:
That's the advantage of mail-in ballots. You can take your time filling it out and avoid the hassles.
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I'm going to do that next time!
 
During the many dinner parties at my sister's house there was never a problem because we all had the same political views as do most of my loved ones. I have an online friend I love dearly...in fact we call each other Sis. She claims to be apolitical and doesn't vote but IMO she her opinions are right leaning. I prefer not to even discuss politics with her (or with anybody really) but we simply agreed to disagree.
 
My oldest son is married to a woman whose politics I absolutely cannot stand. I love her with all my heart. Since the day she married my son he's been the happiest man I know. In all these years, this angel of a daughter-in-law doesn't even know where I stand politically, because there's no way I'll let politics ruin my chances of hanging out with those two.

(don't even get the idea she's a cookie-baking, vacuum-pushing Mrs Cleaver-type. this woman rescues bats and collects skulls)
 
I prefer to not discuss politics with everyone. I can control that when people gather in my apartment. If I am in someone else's home and the conversation starts, I try to move away from the group and become engaged with my phone.

One time the conversation became heated and uncomfortable for me. I just excused myself, said my goodbyes and left. I think a few may have gotten the message.
 

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