I have 2 GOP parents, one that voted Trump originally and one that did not. Over the last 9 years, I have watched them both travel down the MAGA pipeline to become visibly fascist. The parents who taught me racism was wrong and to have empathy for others, have become openly hostile about immigrants, Muslims, and even parrot the Nazi “great replacement” theory.
Part and parcel with this, they refuse to have any discussions about the facts – like immigrants not stealing and eating people’s pets. They won’t hear it, they won’t even engage in the conversation…they just get angry and loud the second they hear anything that doesn’t fit into the Fox News narrative. Can you relate? How are you dealing with it in your relationships with your parents?
I live in a place that could pass for MAGA Mecca and am literally surrounded on all fronts pretty much anywhere I go. It is extremely isolating. Thankfully my parents are sane; still Christian, but at least they look on with a similar confused horror - though they still “like a lot of what he’s doing, just not how he’s doing it.”
They will pretend to have “discussions” with you, but in the end they will always vote R.
If my father can bring himself to not vote R, anyone can. All it takes is a willingness and ability to look at nuanced issues objectively. You know, the most rare thing on the planet!
I was in your position not all that long ago. I became such a better person by simply moving. If you can, I would encourage you to do so. Being around people who are uplifting will take burdens off of your mind that you never realize are making you miserable.
What are your thoughts on moving out of MAGA Mecca, vs trying to survive surrounded by cultists?
Circumstances make the idea of moving feel a bit foolish, but things are quickly getting to the point where it doesn’t matter; mental health should have no price tag.
The other factor is my general contrarian nature; why should I leave? I’m not the one that sucks. AKA, I’m a stubborn ass.
Yeah Michael Bolton, you tell 'em!