Oh. My. God. Will this madness ever stop!

[Blue_Roses]

Just had another heated conversation with my sister about you-know-what. Her husband has to have to have surgery to fix an aneurysm on his aorta.. They are both upset about the marketplace premiums going up. I mentioned that I was mad about it too and that this is gonna hurt a lot of people. Of course, she blurts out, "It's the Demicrats fault! They are holding it up!" I took in a deep sigh, knowing that the energy to "debate" her was going be exhausting- and of couse it was.

She hasn't always been like this. In fact, she hasn't even been politically active. She gets this from her husband and son-in-law, who are so far up Trump's ass they know the brand of orange make-up he wears. They use all the MAGA talking points and verbage--woke, evil Democrats, sinful, etc.,... and trying to get a word in is almost impossible without yelling--which I am not gonna do. My blood pressure doesn't need that.

It's so sad because she and I get along well until this comes up. I always try to avoid it or say, "Let's agree to disagree and move on" but it falls on deaf ears. Trump has divided families, relationships, friends, our country and our world ( the list goes on). Loathe is not a strong enough word for how I feel about him.

[SheltieLover]

1. In my limited experience with brainwashed women, it always seems to come from their magat husbands

Sickening.

[Blue_Roses]

2. Yep

and her MAGA son-in-law.

[SheltieLover]

4. Why would any woman allow her thoughts to be usurped by magats?

Maybe it's the loud mouth magat men wearing them down. I cannot imagine putting up with such a creature, personally.

[OldBaldy1701E]

47. I suspect that it is akin to 'Stockholm Syndrome'.

Yes, it is most definitely a form of torture and assault. They convince the female that she is inferior by holding the things that the males do as more important than the things that females do. They try to live in areas that will support that belief.

Then, they are hammered by their 'betters'... religion, local governmental positions, a lack of any support system... they just literally put them in a 'concentration camp' of one.

Women need to remember that they are as much an equal part of the human equation as the men are, despite the fragile male ego's attempts to act like things are different.

[SheltieLover]

50. I suppose, but I would expect most women to have better sense

than to be taken in by that shit.

[OldBaldy1701E]

51. Heh, I could say that about a lot of people! (n/t)

[SheltieLover]

52. True

[Trueblue Texan]

57. I think it's because they live in a closed socio-political bubble...

All they see is MAGA; all they hear is MAGA; only MAGA concepts are extolled and anything not MAGA is demonized. They have no clear perspective on reality.

[OldBaldy1701E]

64. Exactly!

And thanks to their MAGA religion, they feel they have to make the entire world be MAGA, or die.

Typical conformism stuff. Be like us, or we will kill you.

[blue_jay]

60. I've suspected that for a while now, uggh.

[SWBTATTReg]

3. They can blame anybody / everybody they want, but their crap that they are suffering from, is all on them, and no one

else.

[Irish_Dem]

5. Our enemies hired Trump to start Civil War II in the US.

It has been a very successful plan.
Everyone is at each other's throat.

And the evil MAGA propaganda has been brilliant.
Evil but brilliant.
The Maggots believe all the lies.

[MadameButterfly]

20. This is what malignant narcissists do

They accuse their opponents of what they are doing. Their followers act more and more like malignant narcissists themselves. According to Dr. Bandy Lee and other psychiastrists who authored The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, the followers will go back to normal when the lead malignant narcissist goes away.

I'm not saying "normal" is good for Republicans, but when I used to debate policy with my Republican friends, we used to disagree on strategy. Now we disagree on facts.

It used to be about politics. You could make an argument. Now it's about biology. We are dealing with a mental illness where the infected are out of touch with reality.

[Irish_Dem]

31. I originally came to this site to talk about politics.

But yes now it is all psychology.
So I spend most of my time talking about that topic!!

[lonely bird]

41. Interesting

I have come to the conclusion that the only lenses to use in analyzing political economy are psychology, sociology and anthropology.

Lasswell said politics is who gets what when and how. He forgot where and, imo, most importantly, why. The social sciences dig into “why”.

Trump will be a case study for Ph.D thesis for decades along with a cautionary tale.

[Irish_Dem]

46. I think political psychology will be a new specialty area.

I have degrees in both, so I have been ahead of the curve.
I had no idea it would become a thing.

History should also be included as one of the lenses.

Yes if we do not become a dictatorship permanently, Trump will be studied.
As will the American people for giving away their democracy so willingly.

[Blue_Roses]

36. This is interesting

It is mental with them. I told her she had Stockholm Syndrome. Her mind is not what it used to be. I also told her she is in a cult. It's sad and exhausting ...

[travelingthrulife]

43. I don't agree that they will go back to normal after Trump goes.

Until we stop the continuous lies out of Fox News and their other 'news sources', they will not recover.

[Clouds Passing]

48. Rec x 1,000,000,000

[MadameButterfly]

56. I'm just sharing the medical aspect of this condition

as explained by Dr. Bandy Lee and other psychiatrists who claim an actual contagion of the behavior of malignant narcissists on the people around them.

Of course Fox has to be addressed. They are complicit in all that has happened.

[blue_jay]

62. Agreed, we are knee deep in a mental health crisis and badly in need of emergency treatment nt

[Blumancru]

63. Yes. If there is ever another Democratic President, cult deprogrammer should be a cabinet position.

[yellow dahlia]

30. None of this is by accident.

And we always ask the question - who benefits?

[Irish_Dem]

32. Our enemies benefit.

Greatest crime of the 21st century.

[yellow dahlia]

35. Exactly!

Did I ever tell you about my first protest sign earlier this year? (April 5, I believe.)

It is a big one, on a giant stick.
One side says: This is not Efficiency. This is a Crime Spree.
The other had a list of all the agencies under assault at the time.

[Irish_Dem]

40. Wow that is perfect YD!!!

Ya did good!!!!

[blue_jay]

61. Yep, none of this is by accident, no doubt

destroy the enemy from within, placing, bribing or coercing individuals one by one into positions of power and social media and using them to dismantle our government and its buildings. I wonder who could benefit from that? Pretty sure there are multiple options.

[LuvLoogie]

6. Our reps are too passive

They let the GOPs scapegoat "the other" without much pushback. This is the result of decades of wanting to share long lunches on k street with your colleagues, get invited to the talk shows.

Never addressing the dog whistles, the microaggressions, the outright bigotries.

That such brutish, reactionary grievance is coddled is gross. From the press always centering White America's feelings in diners to dismissing the brutality perpetrated on so many in the name of law enforcement.

[Bohunk68]

42. The Press. I usually listen to NPR.

Lately, I have been hearing a lot of stuff that made we wonder who the press person was supporting or reporting. Just this morning was one, and yesterday was over the top. From my viewpoint. Using Putinfluffer's vocabulary. ARRRGH.

[LuvLoogie]

55. Bush-Cheney started NPRs drift into becoming David Brooks

NPR's special interest features are still good, but their Washington/political reporting is maddingly U.S. corporate and dismissive/apologetic in tone when it comes to the abuses and criminality committed by this regime.

I'm really liking ProPublica as an organization.

[PatSeg]

7. I know that explaining rarely works with such people

The best response is to say something calmly and quietly like, "That is not true and you know it". It is a common tactic that I've seen Trump use and it often works with a lot of people. I've heard him say many times, "I know it is blah, blah, blah and you do too". Of course, in his case, he is lying.

There is no point in going into the facts or pull out charts, because they are usually just looking for an argument; a simple "that's not true" tends to be more effective because on some level they DO know it isn't true.

[Hassler]

8. Is there a polite way to say, Lying to

Yourself isn't going to help pay the premium?

[BurnDoubt]

9. I was in detante with my brother until he messaged his...

photo of his inflatable Felon next to his XMAS tree last year.
After I sent his half of our Father’s Estate I hit the “Block” button.
Enough Is Enough.
He “owned" me… I dis-owned him.
I HATE the world these Pukes have imposed on us.

[Evolve Dammit]

10. It has fractured families, social circles, our government and has ripple effects around the globe. One orange asshole

aided by 40 years of Limbaugh, 25 of Faux News and hundreds of podcasters and fake journalists. Fake News was all projuction as usual. I lost family and friends also, and I'm sorry for you having to listen to utter BS. I actually felt better terminating some of the fractured relationships that were just spewing the talking points like you mention. Gotta take a stand sometimes.

[BaronChocula]

11. One question for her

"So you think trump is the one who wants to extend Obamacare subsidies that he promised to kill?"

[NoMoreRepugs]

12. Excellent retort.

[BaronChocula]

14. TY

[OddMom20]

13. I'm sorry, Blue_Roses,

That you’re having to deal with this. I’m sorry that SO MANY of us are having to deal with this. It sounds like you’re holding your own with the “let’s agree to disagree” statement - so kudos to you for taking the mature road (even though it would be much more enjoyable to say what we’re REALLY thinking - at least for me (messed up, I know)). Stay strong - we’ve got your back!!!

[Blue_Roses]

37. Thank-you

It was starting to get heated.

[Joinfortmill]

15. Yup, he sucks, bigly.

[bluestarone]

16. My siblings are the same way. so i guess the answer is

NO! In their case it's religion. They are all anti abortion, but blowing people out of the water killing them DEAD, even if we bomb them twice, while floating in the water is A-OK? They are CRAZY!!

[Blue_Roses]

39. My sister is the same way

Religion came into the conversation and they always try to over talk you. Sounds like our
siblings have been hanging out..

[travelingthrulife]

45. Yup. And they are always gleefully pro-war and pro-death penalty.

[BeneteauBum]

17. I have family that espouses the same verbiage

Started with a pleasant Christmas phone call and it ended with rage vented at the liberals. Just shook my head.

Peace ☮️

[Cirsium]

18. Zero tolerance

We won't put up with it. We wouldn't put up with an alcoholic ruining everything for us, family or not. MAGAism is far worse than alcoholism. There is no such thing as MAGA without bullying and abuse. We will not be bullied or abused. Period.

[Dem4life1970]

19. He has had 10 years to come up with a health care plan. He only has "concepts" of a plan.

She is gullible. She is deceived. I am sorry, it's not a matter of opinion. It's a fact that Trump has done nothing to improve the ACA as he "promised" to his gullible rubes a million times since he came down his golden escalator in front of his paid actors (google it) in 2015.

[Skittles]

23. she has access to the same information we all do

maybe she is just fucking stupid

[calimary]

26. It's because he really doesn't want a plan.

I think the donald likes it better when he thinks everyone around him has no idea what to do or even what’s what. I suspect he thinks that gives him an “edge”.

[Diamond_Dog]

27. He thrives on chaos and fear.

[Bread and Circuses]

21. There's is Nothing we can do. Republican Voters choose to believe lies, hate, and cruelty.... I'm sorry...

I know it’s your sister.
Your approach is the best that you can do.

[wolfie001]

22. Other than a random text or two a month, I don't speak to my tRUMPer siblings

6 of them. We were children of an Army doctor and went to public schools (the fricking US Government). The stupidity and hypocrisy are too much so I've written them off. I can't afford to go fly and visit anyways so they made that decision easy. I use my extra retirement $ on house upgrades. And donations to Liberal as F organizations.

[mdbl]

24. I don't even talk to a magat until they face some truths - family or not

So far, I haven't found any.

[Kablooie]

25. Yeah. Republicans can damage everyone's life...

Openly, knowing their voters will blame Democrats only.

[lucca18]

28. I am so disappointed in my niece.

My brother who died a few years ago was gay, left our niece some money in his will.
He always maintained a caring relationship with her, even though he knew she was a MAGA.

My other brother (her father) is also MAGA. We are so different.

I was so disheartened today, to come across her post on Twitter, that she posted last year
disparaging the LGBTQ community, and making fun of them.

[progressoid]

58. That's...

"disappointing" seems like an understatement.

I have a former friend from my youth who has estranged himself from his siblings because of his anti-LGBTQ stance. One of his sisters is lesbian.
I now am friendly with his siblings and rarely talk to him.

[FormerOstrich]

29. When I can't avoid the conversation

(with the family members only...anyone else I can exclude) I ask them to explain what they mean.

For instance, how are they "holding it up". Is the Speaker of the house trying to get a vote? Pretend you don't know and ask for details to explain those talking points. I'll act like I don't know and need it all explained to me...exactly.

Ultimately you can start introducing a little fact checking as you go along but gently. I doubt I change their mind about anything, but they don't want to have a dialog with me anymore except about the dogs,pets, gardens, and stuff like that there. (said Huckleberry Hound).

[Maru Kitteh]

33. She didn't use to be like this but she CHOOSES to be like this *now. It's

HER choice to be like this. We have plenty of this in our family too, and I’m not trying to be antagonistic here, but I really think the fact that she has made the decision that she wants to be this way is something you kind of need to sit with a little bit. It’s not all his fault. She is a grown person. She made a decision. This is her.

[IbogaProject]

34. The GOP has everything to do w that happening

President, GOP
Senate, GOP
House, Gop
Supreme Court, GOP because of the GOP.

Tell your sister she is getting exactly what she voted for.

[spanone]

38. K&R

[sakabatou]

44. Their cognitive dissonance is too strong

If I were in your shoes, I'd cut contact.

[CousinIT]

49. It will not stop until/unless they wise up. I couldn't "overlook" it anymore and stopped speaking to my

MAGA relatives over a year ago. No contact.

Life is more peaceful that way. They are toxic, and I can't deal with them.

[underpants]

53. so far up Trump's ass they know the brand of orange make-up he wears.

That’s a great line.

[JustAnotherGen]

54. I've cut them out of my life

They are lost and have to be shunned.

[duckworth969]

59. Too emotionally invested to turn back now

Cognitive dissonance squared 😣