I live in a mostly red county (95%+white) with our neighbors showing a mix of Trump and Harris signs. My wife and I know that our Harris signs in our yard might make us a target but we refuse to be intimidated. Fortunately recently more of our neighbors have put up their own Harris signs. But we still have to live with the folks that put up house Trump signs and I have struggled with my feelings toward them. I wanted to be understanding and forgiving but I just couldn’t. When I read your post, I realized that is exactly how I feel. My only suggestion is it isn’t just older white men although they are the most obnoxious, but it is also older white women (usually their spouses) who also are closet racists and continue to support Trump. I decided a while back to just stop communicating with them. I will not normalize their behavior and beliefs. Way beyond just politics. I am truly disgusted with them and your post just hit the exact feelings I have had for a while now. Nice to hear I am not alone. Thanks.
I have been conflicted for years on how to treat Trump supporters in my family and neighborhood. Always been taught to be kind, accepting, forgiving, respectful, etc. but deep down I couldn’t help thinking this is more than just disagreements, it’s truly disturbing and borderline evil to support this guy. A few months ago I decided I was done with that group. Just stopped caring and talking with them. I sleep better at night now, after making that decision.
My brother has consumed the orange Kool-Aid. He denigrates public education even though our mother was a public school teacher for 35 years, as were four of our aunts. I was also a public school teacher. It is very hard to want to communicate with Trump supporters. I don’t even recognize some people anymore.
Sadly, it seems that this is exactly how they feel about us. I’ve been mourning the loss of my two brothers. Recently, I came to the awareness that what I believe, my character and the way I live my life to reflect those beliefs, didn’t come into being in just the last 8 years. It has taken a lifetime (mine) to cultivate and refine those beliefs into a basic ethical framework from which to navigate life. It’s the same for them. They didn’t get tricked … they found a resonance with trumpism (for want of a better, all-inclusive word) and are following that feeling to navigate their lives.
I love my brothers and feel that love is returned. But we don’t share values or beliefs on some very fundamental things to the extent that we have only very rare contact and we are all, I believe, good with that.
I have 2 cousins brainwashed and another cousin who enables her boyfriend. It is not right to enable that behaviour at all. They are extremely dangerous people and my anxiety is sky high now. 12 days...cmon America do the right thing and vote Harris...and Trump needs to be locked up ASAP.
Yep, JennSH. My brother, my sister, my mom; my (step)son, my (stepdaughter). As I've asked before, how do you do what D.Earl writes when these are your loved ones? IDK.
This is a very sad and tragic situation being repeated throughout our nation. I’ll offer one person that can bring clarity to much of this, Dr. Steven Hassan, and there are several others that have a thorough grasp of what we are going thru. The damage created is tremendous and traumatic and it’s vital to learn what has happened, just for the sake of preserving our own sanity. Keep in mind that the merchants of malarkey are doing this by design and are well-funded. Turning our fellow citizen’s minds and souls inside out with the purpose of creating chaos and violence is criminal.
That's a tough one to grapple with. I share your agonizing dilemma. Where do we draw the line? The one thing that I've found after continuous study of this problem is the understanding of the root cause of radicalization of our fellow citizens. We ask in exasperation, what is wrong with these people? Why do they behave the way they do and how did this come about. I would guess that the majority of our fellow citizens are mostly defenseless against this evil force trying to turn our hearts and minds inside out. We have to leave the door open(and the light on) for those that show willingness to crawl out of the cult.
That can best be explained by looking at the collective clueless, rudderless and hopeless segment of our society just trying to keep their heads above water that may or may not have the luxury of or desire to study the well designed and very well funded effort to get us all at each others throats while they the mobligarchs run off with our country, its resources and power. That's just for starters. The point is any of us are vulnerable if we aren't armed with the knowledge to deal with the undue influence and psyops warfare trying to turn peoples minds inside out.
I’m right there with you. I’ve lost friends over this shit. How can one have respect for anyone who supports TFG, and his enablers? It’s just mind boggling to me. If your a Trump supporter that tells me all I need to know.
I wish your whole piece was flashing across the sky from the space station. I think you put the perfect words to what a lot of us are feeling and have been feeling for a long time. I started worrying about this election on 1/6/21 and the anger, stress and fear have escalated over time and taken its mentally and physically. Every time I drive by one of “those” yard signs my blood boils. In my small town, if it’s the house of someone I know, my first thought is, well, there’s one less person I’ll be talking to.
💯% how I feel. These tRUMP voters are despicable. My ex-brother (out of my life because of his vileness) is so like his hero: everything is about HIS grievances and NOTHING is ever his fault. I don’t want any of these people in my life. In the world, actually.
The only "comfort" I get is that he has shown me his true colors and I don't have to deal with him any more. We keep hearing about how so many Republicans are saying the quiet part out loud. In a way, that is a good thing. They are telling us exactly who they are, what they believe and what they attend. Hopefully now that we are forewarned, we have been sufficiently forearmed.
I have the identical story, Kate. My brother was rabid in his support of Trump. I finally had enough and told him he was dead to me. The kicker. He works for the federal government.
The "funny" thing is that my brother has a life circumstance that would probably have benefited from a Sanders government. We are five kids. Raised by diehard Democrats. My dad was active in the civil rights movement. Four of us have stayed on the liberal spectrum. People would be surprised that two of my siblings aren't more dead center or even to the right slightly, but they are not. I really don't understand how he is so different than the rest of us.
It's crazy. My brother is an AF vet. Living on VA benefits as disabled. He considers himslef a constitutional scholar -- he did get his GED in the military, but that's it. He became dead to me after he threatened my life when I referred to January 6 as an insurrection and coup. I blocked him every where I could, but he has my home address. He was stupid enough to put it on paper and send it via the USPS. A federal crime. Which actually led to a crime here in Sweden where I live. Because our postal service delivered the death threat. He is not, nor are any of them, rocket scientists.
For a while my house was the only one in my neighborhood with a Harris sign. Now there is one other house. The rest either have no signs (the majority) or signs for the traitorous rapist conman. I stopped a Harris Walz sticker on my neighbor's toolbox over the weekend, but only because I could see it out my window, nothing clearly visible. It's a relief to see a couple other people, but so distressing to see at least a dozen other houses in my own area plus more throughout the town we live in. We moved here 2 years ago and I had a feeling it wasn't going to be terribly progressive or caring, but seeing that come to light is still disturbing.
Honestly you both hit the nail on the head for me too. I live in a subdivision that is 98% red! I have a hard time engaging in any “niceties” at all with my neighbors. So thank you for validating my feelings!
I work (at Lowe’s) with three women who are trumpers. I know there others, because although I live in Salem, OR; the suburb (Keizer) I work in has its share of magas. It is astounding to me, even though it shouldn’t be. And what’s really distressing is I like all three of them. I realize they’re lost, and I wouldn’t be able to reason with them, anyway, even if it were not against store policy to discuss “politics.” They would never see or accept that this is so beyond politics at this point.
I feel this rage too. That’s why we are here with you. I do think they listen to very different “info” than us, if they listen or read at all. The Fox propaganda machine is pretty powerful in its darkness. But one has to believe s/he is quite the victim in this world to believe what they are peddling. That’s as much “understanding” as I’m willing to give. They are truly pathetic. When I see a tr*mp sticker or flag I see weakness, total weakness of character. I really, really wish I didn’t have to live in the same world with these pathetic people. I am just trying to stay focused on visualizing a really beautiful, just, and loving future for all of us. And that’s a job everyday. My disdain for these weak people can get the best of me and I’m just so very tired. I really don’t know if I can ever forgive them their willful ignorance.
I agree with you. It’s not an excuse. They choose it so they can feel right about themselves. And I think I will never forgive them. BUT, for me, focusing on the incredible exuberance of this moment in time, I copied my ballot before mailing because it’s a memento I want my kids and grandkids to have — the first female president since the creation of our American democracy. I just have to find the silver lining because this hate they generate is so dark and it eats me up. I am disgusted by them. I no longer want to know or “understand” what motivates them. They are weak and hateful. And just plain stupid and conned.
Well, I think some are conned because of their already established belief systems. For example, when I look back at what Nixon peddled, bringing in the idea that abortion was bad, was murder, in order to garner the votes of religious people, my mom was conned. She was heavily Catholic in her beliefs, had 8 children (part of her beliefs), and she said she “really believed in him.” Today, some evangelicals have convinced themselves that although tr*mp is “not perfect,” he is their savior. They listen to their pastors who tell them this sh*t and they want to believe. So gross, so taken in by the lies, easily conned.
Yes. I like asking the question to Trumpsters as how they might rate themselves to being vulnerable to propaganda? I insist they have no obligation to tell me their answer. Their response can be very revealing as to how radicalized they are. The reinforcement of their biases and fallacies is vital in keeping their bullshit wagon on that road to hell. I see this election as two speeding cars colliding with one hell of a wreck. To the winner goes the spoils. There is extremely well funded and designed psychological warfare taking place for the minds and souls of our fellow citizens. The perpetrators of this have a goal and an agenda, and lets just say that we are on the menu.
Yes. People i went to high school with, some who went on to college or military or both-yesterday posting that jd vance vs kamala Harris response to "Jesus is king" nonsense. I had listened to the original clip, and heard what I thought was "lies" or "liar", being shouted. When I commented about this, I was told that an interview with attendees was conducted, and they said "Jesus is king " was what they were chanting. I listened to the clip over and over. Should I believe what those people were saying, or my lying ears?
Trump has stirred the deception, hate, and anger among his followers. It's part of his plan of intimidation and retribution to be able to use his base to threaten Republicans in Congress, those running for state governors, and anyone he does not like. It's Hitler's playbook; it's Putin and Orban's plan, and Trump has groomed his followers well. Anyone who does not agree with Trump is MAGA's enemy. We are in dangerous times.
I am exactly where you are. I used to feel sorry for them for being conned for so long. But I have lost that pity. I see now that a lot of these supporters have made the conscious decision to support a man who couldn't care less about him. TFG in their eyes is the one who allows them to be their true authentic selves. These are the same people tell me that he's the real Christian and that's part of their decision making. But because I love ththese people I haven't brought myself to the point to simply walk away from them. But I do fear if TFG I will not be able to do the same
I am in the same situation with one of my sisters. She’s a widow and we live together. She fervently believes outright lies, propaganda, and disinformation, and has swallowed the stream of stupidity emanating out of the Fox furnace. She has come to live partly in an alternate reality. I don’t engage politically with her because she has been thoroughly brainwashed and at 71 years old will not change fundamentally who she is. I find myself wondering what happened to the intelligent person I knew in the past. She has always had an inclination to be more comfortable with authoritarianism and has shown some authoritarian tendencies herself. (Could be oldest child personality stereotyping or some innate bossiness.) That is irrelevant because she’s my sister and I love her. But, I don’t love who she has become during Covid isolation. She slid down the rabbit hole to a truly dark place and has not resurfaced. Ironically, we are both teachers who work with immigrants learning English in our public schools.
The words of Jesus on the cross came to mind: forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do. I suppose these Trumpsters are more to be pitied than scorned, but meanwhile, they threaten our very existence as a democracy. And they invite in something very dark, indeed.
Thanks, I'm finished with tepid rationalizations that try to explain the undecided voters' reasoning, invariably hung on a single issue. A perfect example of missing the forest for the trees, their single issues will become hopeless issues when democracy has vanished, when it was swept away with Project 2025. They don't realize protest exists only in a democracy.
Agree. The internal struggle, the cognitive chaos taking place in the undecided minds is an example of the difficulty in admitting one is wrong. A really tough turn to make for a man that is all in, sold out to a notion but far worse to a person. There is a lot of this going on right now in the last 2 weeks before election. The fight, flight or freeze behavior comes into play. A fella by the name of Dr. Steven Hassan is a great help in sorting out this mess. You are so right about how protest exists only in a democracy. That is a hinge point in so much of what needs to be discussed. Show me a person that fails to speak of the virtues of democracy and I will show you a fascist flunky.
Excellent summary of the reasons for my disgust. There is no getting through to anyone who wants another Trump term. I've had it. I was fed up a long time ago. I was sick to my stomach the first time I read a New York Times article that Trumpsplained the beloved, misunderstood rural voter. Fuck them and the truck they rode in on. We're not going back. Eat our dust.
The only silver lining is that my dad was a needy selfish peice of shit. Disabled my entire life and let government pay for his entire existence. Not surprisingly, he needed me to manage his life after his wife died (eg manage his budget, his living situation, avoid financial scams etc ). Well, his vote showed me how he thinks the world should work - I don't plan on having contact with him ever again.
I feel this way in my soul. But I have family members who are staunch Republicans and it is impossible for them to even conceive of voting out of party. I’ve talked until I’m blue in the face and they still don’t get it. They see what the news sanewashes to them. They think the radical left makes up stories. Short of leaving my family I don’t know what to do. Luckily we are not in a battleground state, so it doesn’t matter. But, grrrrr
They are destructive idiots who think very little of our country and the people who live here. Sorry I'm not being more helpful here, but this is EXACTLY what was going on in 1930s Germany.
This is it! Need to spend time with my mom this next week and when she brings up the stupid shit she always talks about (talking points from Fox) I am going to use these talking points to counter.
I stopped tiptoeing on the eggshells of their colossal ignorance after January 6th. I leave them to heaven.*
*The expression derives from William Shakespeare's Hamlet, in which the Ghost urges Hamlet not to seek vengeance against Queen Gertrude, but rather to "leave her to heaven, and to those thorns that in her bosom lodge to prick and sting her."
Palpable rage over the lunacy is felt every minute of the day. There is no excuse for their behavior or beliefs. They know exactly what they're doing. With information at our fingertips every moment of the day, they choose the bullshit. They prefer the asshole, because his racism makes them comfortable with being racist.
My father died of Covid in March of 2020 as Trump's fat lying ass played golf. Covid couldn't be identified until an autopsy, because there was no system in place during the 8 weeks he kept going to the ER unable to breathe. I'm an RN, grieving my father's Covid death and these "friends," didn't give support, they told me I was lying about his death, made fun of people wearing masks, and when the vaccine came around, their stupidity multiplied. I've never felt such depression. Every one of them can fuck off. They're dead to me.
Your hate is well deserved. Sometimes you just have to own it. And I’m right there with you, Beth. I hope happy memories of your father eventually take over. But I’ll join you in your rabid hate. And all my sisters and girlfriends too. We sometimes hold Trump-bashing sessions (impromptu, and with a fair amount of wine). I’ll toast your Dad next time.
Beth, I am so very sorry. There will be nothing to sweep this anger and pain away. But I hope one day we can all find some peace within ourselves. I cannot offer him or these cult followers “peace,” but I can offer “no violence.” That’s about it. Again, I am so very sorry for your loss and the pain that surrounds it.
Saddened that your Dad died of covid. Brutal. I don't get how people can ignore the terror we all experienced then and act like somehow they were better off then than now. Mind boggling denial and/or completely disingenuous. At this point I've written off anyone spouting the lies.
For a long time, I thought there was a way to change the minds of trumpists. Why bother? You give words to my feelings about them. Forward to the future. Leave them in the dust.
I could not have said it any better, and it's EXACTLY how I've felt this year.
I have lost a few friends because of their inability to see just how awful the malignant narcissist is not only as a person, but was as a president. I've had people tell me, "you shouldn't ditch friends over an election", and while that would be true in a normal time, this isn't a normal time. For me it's simple; it's humanitarianism vs. authoritarianism. I'm ditching people over MORALS, not an ELECTION, and I can sleep fine at night knowing that I'm not the fucking asshole lacking in morals.
I live in a mostly red county (95%+white) with our neighbors showing a mix of Trump and Harris signs. My wife and I know that our Harris signs in our yard might make us a target but we refuse to be intimidated. Fortunately recently more of our neighbors have put up their own Harris signs. But we still have to live with the folks that put up house Trump signs and I have struggled with my feelings toward them. I wanted to be understanding and forgiving but I just couldn’t. When I read your post, I realized that is exactly how I feel. My only suggestion is it isn’t just older white men although they are the most obnoxious, but it is also older white women (usually their spouses) who also are closet racists and continue to support Trump. I decided a while back to just stop communicating with them. I will not normalize their behavior and beliefs. Way beyond just politics. I am truly disgusted with them and your post just hit the exact feelings I have had for a while now. Nice to hear I am not alone. Thanks.
It needed typing, Chris.
I have sat on it for more than four years.
I have been conflicted for years on how to treat Trump supporters in my family and neighborhood. Always been taught to be kind, accepting, forgiving, respectful, etc. but deep down I couldn’t help thinking this is more than just disagreements, it’s truly disturbing and borderline evil to support this guy. A few months ago I decided I was done with that group. Just stopped caring and talking with them. I sleep better at night now, after making that decision.
My brother has consumed the orange Kool-Aid. He denigrates public education even though our mother was a public school teacher for 35 years, as were four of our aunts. I was also a public school teacher. It is very hard to want to communicate with Trump supporters. I don’t even recognize some people anymore.
Don't even try. For now they are lost.
Sadly, it seems that this is exactly how they feel about us. I’ve been mourning the loss of my two brothers. Recently, I came to the awareness that what I believe, my character and the way I live my life to reflect those beliefs, didn’t come into being in just the last 8 years. It has taken a lifetime (mine) to cultivate and refine those beliefs into a basic ethical framework from which to navigate life. It’s the same for them. They didn’t get tricked … they found a resonance with trumpism (for want of a better, all-inclusive word) and are following that feeling to navigate their lives.
I love my brothers and feel that love is returned. But we don’t share values or beliefs on some very fundamental things to the extent that we have only very rare contact and we are all, I believe, good with that.
I have 2 cousins brainwashed and another cousin who enables her boyfriend. It is not right to enable that behaviour at all. They are extremely dangerous people and my anxiety is sky high now. 12 days...cmon America do the right thing and vote Harris...and Trump needs to be locked up ASAP.
Yep, JennSH. My brother, my sister, my mom; my (step)son, my (stepdaughter). As I've asked before, how do you do what D.Earl writes when these are your loved ones? IDK.
This is a very sad and tragic situation being repeated throughout our nation. I’ll offer one person that can bring clarity to much of this, Dr. Steven Hassan, and there are several others that have a thorough grasp of what we are going thru. The damage created is tremendous and traumatic and it’s vital to learn what has happened, just for the sake of preserving our own sanity. Keep in mind that the merchants of malarkey are doing this by design and are well-funded. Turning our fellow citizen’s minds and souls inside out with the purpose of creating chaos and violence is criminal.
That's a tough one to grapple with. I share your agonizing dilemma. Where do we draw the line? The one thing that I've found after continuous study of this problem is the understanding of the root cause of radicalization of our fellow citizens. We ask in exasperation, what is wrong with these people? Why do they behave the way they do and how did this come about. I would guess that the majority of our fellow citizens are mostly defenseless against this evil force trying to turn our hearts and minds inside out. We have to leave the door open(and the light on) for those that show willingness to crawl out of the cult.
I disagree with your guess “that the majority of our fellow citizens are mostly defenseless against this evil force..”
I don’t the majority of Americans are trump supporters. And how are they “defenseless?”
That can best be explained by looking at the collective clueless, rudderless and hopeless segment of our society just trying to keep their heads above water that may or may not have the luxury of or desire to study the well designed and very well funded effort to get us all at each others throats while they the mobligarchs run off with our country, its resources and power. That's just for starters. The point is any of us are vulnerable if we aren't armed with the knowledge to deal with the undue influence and psyops warfare trying to turn peoples minds inside out.
I would like to add Merrick Garland to the list
What is your point?
I’m right there with you. I’ve lost friends over this shit. How can one have respect for anyone who supports TFG, and his enablers? It’s just mind boggling to me. If your a Trump supporter that tells me all I need to know.
✊🇺🇸🌊😎
Same here. I’d rather lose a friend over a woman than over that diseased fat fuck.
Lol. and yes.
I wish your whole piece was flashing across the sky from the space station. I think you put the perfect words to what a lot of us are feeling and have been feeling for a long time. I started worrying about this election on 1/6/21 and the anger, stress and fear have escalated over time and taken its mentally and physically. Every time I drive by one of “those” yard signs my blood boils. In my small town, if it’s the house of someone I know, my first thought is, well, there’s one less person I’ll be talking to.
💯% how I feel. These tRUMP voters are despicable. My ex-brother (out of my life because of his vileness) is so like his hero: everything is about HIS grievances and NOTHING is ever his fault. I don’t want any of these people in my life. In the world, actually.
Unfortunately, I know exactly what you are dealing with, and I am sorry about that, Kate.
im a kiwi but after reading your "blog" i wish i was American good luck in your fight
The only "comfort" I get is that he has shown me his true colors and I don't have to deal with him any more. We keep hearing about how so many Republicans are saying the quiet part out loud. In a way, that is a good thing. They are telling us exactly who they are, what they believe and what they attend. Hopefully now that we are forewarned, we have been sufficiently forearmed.
I have the identical story, Kate. My brother was rabid in his support of Trump. I finally had enough and told him he was dead to me. The kicker. He works for the federal government.
Mine did, too. They live on government pensions and yet "hate the Gov'ment."
The "funny" thing is that my brother has a life circumstance that would probably have benefited from a Sanders government. We are five kids. Raised by diehard Democrats. My dad was active in the civil rights movement. Four of us have stayed on the liberal spectrum. People would be surprised that two of my siblings aren't more dead center or even to the right slightly, but they are not. I really don't understand how he is so different than the rest of us.
It's crazy. My brother is an AF vet. Living on VA benefits as disabled. He considers himslef a constitutional scholar -- he did get his GED in the military, but that's it. He became dead to me after he threatened my life when I referred to January 6 as an insurrection and coup. I blocked him every where I could, but he has my home address. He was stupid enough to put it on paper and send it via the USPS. A federal crime. Which actually led to a crime here in Sweden where I live. Because our postal service delivered the death threat. He is not, nor are any of them, rocket scientists.
Yes, my older sister, with Faux "news" constantly on with the TV remote on top of their KJV bible. Gone forever.
For a while my house was the only one in my neighborhood with a Harris sign. Now there is one other house. The rest either have no signs (the majority) or signs for the traitorous rapist conman. I stopped a Harris Walz sticker on my neighbor's toolbox over the weekend, but only because I could see it out my window, nothing clearly visible. It's a relief to see a couple other people, but so distressing to see at least a dozen other houses in my own area plus more throughout the town we live in. We moved here 2 years ago and I had a feeling it wasn't going to be terribly progressive or caring, but seeing that come to light is still disturbing.
Honestly you both hit the nail on the head for me too. I live in a subdivision that is 98% red! I have a hard time engaging in any “niceties” at all with my neighbors. So thank you for validating my feelings!
I work (at Lowe’s) with three women who are trumpers. I know there others, because although I live in Salem, OR; the suburb (Keizer) I work in has its share of magas. It is astounding to me, even though it shouldn’t be. And what’s really distressing is I like all three of them. I realize they’re lost, and I wouldn’t be able to reason with them, anyway, even if it were not against store policy to discuss “politics.” They would never see or accept that this is so beyond politics at this point.
I feel this rage in my soul.
I do too. 😡
Same
I feel this rage everyday!
I feel this rage too. That’s why we are here with you. I do think they listen to very different “info” than us, if they listen or read at all. The Fox propaganda machine is pretty powerful in its darkness. But one has to believe s/he is quite the victim in this world to believe what they are peddling. That’s as much “understanding” as I’m willing to give. They are truly pathetic. When I see a tr*mp sticker or flag I see weakness, total weakness of character. I really, really wish I didn’t have to live in the same world with these pathetic people. I am just trying to stay focused on visualizing a really beautiful, just, and loving future for all of us. And that’s a job everyday. My disdain for these weak people can get the best of me and I’m just so very tired. I really don’t know if I can ever forgive them their willful ignorance.
I considered diving into the rightwing propaganda as a bit of an excuse, but after eight years that doesn’t wash either, my friend.
They are willingly toxic, and have put everything at risk. Fuck them.
I agree with you. It’s not an excuse. They choose it so they can feel right about themselves. And I think I will never forgive them. BUT, for me, focusing on the incredible exuberance of this moment in time, I copied my ballot before mailing because it’s a memento I want my kids and grandkids to have — the first female president since the creation of our American democracy. I just have to find the silver lining because this hate they generate is so dark and it eats me up. I am disgusted by them. I no longer want to know or “understand” what motivates them. They are weak and hateful. And just plain stupid and conned.
Understand completely. As I've said before, there's NOTHING like being on the right side of the fight.
And we are. I have no doubt. 💙🇺🇸
I’m not sure they’re conned. Or stupid.
I think TFG has allowed them to wear their racism and sexism loudly and proudly on their sleeve. This is who they are. Who they have always been.
I have cut myself off from the 40% of the country that supports TFG.
I want nothing to do with such folks.
Well, I think some are conned because of their already established belief systems. For example, when I look back at what Nixon peddled, bringing in the idea that abortion was bad, was murder, in order to garner the votes of religious people, my mom was conned. She was heavily Catholic in her beliefs, had 8 children (part of her beliefs), and she said she “really believed in him.” Today, some evangelicals have convinced themselves that although tr*mp is “not perfect,” he is their savior. They listen to their pastors who tell them this sh*t and they want to believe. So gross, so taken in by the lies, easily conned.
Yes. I like asking the question to Trumpsters as how they might rate themselves to being vulnerable to propaganda? I insist they have no obligation to tell me their answer. Their response can be very revealing as to how radicalized they are. The reinforcement of their biases and fallacies is vital in keeping their bullshit wagon on that road to hell. I see this election as two speeding cars colliding with one hell of a wreck. To the winner goes the spoils. There is extremely well funded and designed psychological warfare taking place for the minds and souls of our fellow citizens. The perpetrators of this have a goal and an agenda, and lets just say that we are on the menu.
Doug, well said. Love “The reinforcement of their biases and fallacies is vital in keeping their bullshit wagon on that road to hell.”
Yes. People i went to high school with, some who went on to college or military or both-yesterday posting that jd vance vs kamala Harris response to "Jesus is king" nonsense. I had listened to the original clip, and heard what I thought was "lies" or "liar", being shouted. When I commented about this, I was told that an interview with attendees was conducted, and they said "Jesus is king " was what they were chanting. I listened to the clip over and over. Should I believe what those people were saying, or my lying ears?
Who ever thought people were so gullible??
There is just no reasoning with delusional cultists.
Hate, grievance, and self loathing. That’s it. 😎
Trump has stirred the deception, hate, and anger among his followers. It's part of his plan of intimidation and retribution to be able to use his base to threaten Republicans in Congress, those running for state governors, and anyone he does not like. It's Hitler's playbook; it's Putin and Orban's plan, and Trump has groomed his followers well. Anyone who does not agree with Trump is MAGA's enemy. We are in dangerous times.
we as humans are capable of FORGIVNESS but we just dont forget love you heaps
Ditto. 😎
😳 Robinson is one of the most vile politicians in living memory. I live in NC. Gods help us if he wins governor race.
It's not grades, she's technically not stupid. 🤷♀️
I am exactly where you are. I used to feel sorry for them for being conned for so long. But I have lost that pity. I see now that a lot of these supporters have made the conscious decision to support a man who couldn't care less about him. TFG in their eyes is the one who allows them to be their true authentic selves. These are the same people tell me that he's the real Christian and that's part of their decision making. But because I love ththese people I haven't brought myself to the point to simply walk away from them. But I do fear if TFG I will not be able to do the same
I am in the same situation with one of my sisters. She’s a widow and we live together. She fervently believes outright lies, propaganda, and disinformation, and has swallowed the stream of stupidity emanating out of the Fox furnace. She has come to live partly in an alternate reality. I don’t engage politically with her because she has been thoroughly brainwashed and at 71 years old will not change fundamentally who she is. I find myself wondering what happened to the intelligent person I knew in the past. She has always had an inclination to be more comfortable with authoritarianism and has shown some authoritarian tendencies herself. (Could be oldest child personality stereotyping or some innate bossiness.) That is irrelevant because she’s my sister and I love her. But, I don’t love who she has become during Covid isolation. She slid down the rabbit hole to a truly dark place and has not resurfaced. Ironically, we are both teachers who work with immigrants learning English in our public schools.
I feel for you. Hopefully we will pull out a landslide for Kamala and the slow painstaking deprogramming and healing can begin.
Thank you Suzanne, you express it better then I did above. ✊🇺🇸🌊😎
The words of Jesus on the cross came to mind: forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do. I suppose these Trumpsters are more to be pitied than scorned, but meanwhile, they threaten our very existence as a democracy. And they invite in something very dark, indeed.
So in that way they are the enemy. Someone who threatens our democracy is not an ally.
Thanks, I'm finished with tepid rationalizations that try to explain the undecided voters' reasoning, invariably hung on a single issue. A perfect example of missing the forest for the trees, their single issues will become hopeless issues when democracy has vanished, when it was swept away with Project 2025. They don't realize protest exists only in a democracy.
Agree. The internal struggle, the cognitive chaos taking place in the undecided minds is an example of the difficulty in admitting one is wrong. A really tough turn to make for a man that is all in, sold out to a notion but far worse to a person. There is a lot of this going on right now in the last 2 weeks before election. The fight, flight or freeze behavior comes into play. A fella by the name of Dr. Steven Hassan is a great help in sorting out this mess. You are so right about how protest exists only in a democracy. That is a hinge point in so much of what needs to be discussed. Show me a person that fails to speak of the virtues of democracy and I will show you a fascist flunky.
This is an excellent article!
This is exactly how I feel about Trump voters.
To a T!
Excellent summary of the reasons for my disgust. There is no getting through to anyone who wants another Trump term. I've had it. I was fed up a long time ago. I was sick to my stomach the first time I read a New York Times article that Trumpsplained the beloved, misunderstood rural voter. Fuck them and the truck they rode in on. We're not going back. Eat our dust.
I am a rural voter and I cast my ballot for Harris/Walz on 9/24/2024. I voted BLUE up and down the ballot. Don’t think we are all like them.
I know. No offense intended
I understand. I just wanted you to know that not all rural voters are Trumpers.
It super sucks when these people are family. I have given up on all of them.
Me too.
The only silver lining is that my dad was a needy selfish peice of shit. Disabled my entire life and let government pay for his entire existence. Not surprisingly, he needed me to manage his life after his wife died (eg manage his budget, his living situation, avoid financial scams etc ). Well, his vote showed me how he thinks the world should work - I don't plan on having contact with him ever again.
A shame, but necessary, sorry to hear of it though.
What choice do we have?
None.
Me also. There's no reaching them.
I feel this way in my soul. But I have family members who are staunch Republicans and it is impossible for them to even conceive of voting out of party. I’ve talked until I’m blue in the face and they still don’t get it. They see what the news sanewashes to them. They think the radical left makes up stories. Short of leaving my family I don’t know what to do. Luckily we are not in a battleground state, so it doesn’t matter. But, grrrrr
They are destructive idiots who think very little of our country and the people who live here. Sorry I'm not being more helpful here, but this is EXACTLY what was going on in 1930s Germany.
Yes. The parallels are frightening and stop thinking that you're not being helpful. Keep leading the way partner!
100% spot on. We are mirroring that period to a tee. That said, I’m thinking we will crush them. ✊😎
This is it! Need to spend time with my mom this next week and when she brings up the stupid shit she always talks about (talking points from Fox) I am going to use these talking points to counter.
I stopped tiptoeing on the eggshells of their colossal ignorance after January 6th. I leave them to heaven.*
*The expression derives from William Shakespeare's Hamlet, in which the Ghost urges Hamlet not to seek vengeance against Queen Gertrude, but rather to "leave her to heaven, and to those thorns that in her bosom lodge to prick and sting her."
Perfect.
Palpable rage over the lunacy is felt every minute of the day. There is no excuse for their behavior or beliefs. They know exactly what they're doing. With information at our fingertips every moment of the day, they choose the bullshit. They prefer the asshole, because his racism makes them comfortable with being racist.
My father died of Covid in March of 2020 as Trump's fat lying ass played golf. Covid couldn't be identified until an autopsy, because there was no system in place during the 8 weeks he kept going to the ER unable to breathe. I'm an RN, grieving my father's Covid death and these "friends," didn't give support, they told me I was lying about his death, made fun of people wearing masks, and when the vaccine came around, their stupidity multiplied. I've never felt such depression. Every one of them can fuck off. They're dead to me.
I’m sorry about your father. I hate Trump for his Covid response more than just about anything!
Thank you for your kind words. I've never hated anyone quite like I hate him.
Your hate is well deserved. Sometimes you just have to own it. And I’m right there with you, Beth. I hope happy memories of your father eventually take over. But I’ll join you in your rabid hate. And all my sisters and girlfriends too. We sometimes hold Trump-bashing sessions (impromptu, and with a fair amount of wine). I’ll toast your Dad next time.
Thank you so much! Cheers!
Beth, I am so very sorry. There will be nothing to sweep this anger and pain away. But I hope one day we can all find some peace within ourselves. I cannot offer him or these cult followers “peace,” but I can offer “no violence.” That’s about it. Again, I am so very sorry for your loss and the pain that surrounds it.
Thank you Suzanne.
Him = tr*mp
Saddened that your Dad died of covid. Brutal. I don't get how people can ignore the terror we all experienced then and act like somehow they were better off then than now. Mind boggling denial and/or completely disingenuous. At this point I've written off anyone spouting the lies.
Thank you. I completely agree.
💔🙏💔🙏💔🙏
Amen. I've often said that Hillary was correct about the basket of deplorables. What she was wrong about was the size of the basket.
Or saying it publicly. A political blunder while also being accurate.
For a long time, I thought there was a way to change the minds of trumpists. Why bother? You give words to my feelings about them. Forward to the future. Leave them in the dust.
100%
I could not have said it any better, and it's EXACTLY how I've felt this year.
I have lost a few friends because of their inability to see just how awful the malignant narcissist is not only as a person, but was as a president. I've had people tell me, "you shouldn't ditch friends over an election", and while that would be true in a normal time, this isn't a normal time. For me it's simple; it's humanitarianism vs. authoritarianism. I'm ditching people over MORALS, not an ELECTION, and I can sleep fine at night knowing that I'm not the fucking asshole lacking in morals.
Brian- you are not alone in your ambivalence and your well stated distillation between humanitarian versus authoritarian leanings. You can’t be both.
I hope you can eventually sleep well at night knowing you are on the right side of dignity and history
Yes, this!