Of Frustration & Anxiety

I know - I said this would be a politics-free zone. And it will be. Yet I must get off my chest something related to politics but more central to friendships & relationships. 

Specifically - why do people feel that political conversations these days must be part of the overall relationship. It can be a dicey proposition to discuss the political landscape when two people don't agree, especially in our current cycle of political players.

Case in point:

I am a conservative when it comes to politics. I have some liberal-leanings which, if I must declare a party, would make me a Libertarian.

I live in New England - and in this capacity it is known mostly for it's anti-conservative stance. Which can make a conservative feel a little lonely, left out...wide open for potshots.

And such is the way of things these days. In fact, just after the 2016 election my closest friend of nearly 25 years ghosted me. Just ceased speaking with me, wouldn't answer calls, texts or any other means of communication. Even face-to-face wasn't tolerated by her; she'd walk away from me. It didn't take a rocket scientist to realize what was going on. She is a classic New England liberal - and I am not. Now this was no secret to her; we'd been very close for 2 decades and my politics were the same in that entire time. But after Trump became POTUS - the gloves were off, the insults were hurled, accusations were made and a long-standing friendship came to an abrupt end.

Sad really. Such a tragic and useless end to an otherwise remarkable relationship. Or at least it was remarkable to me.

Anyway in the 3 years since that awful experience I have maintained a "no political conversations policy" with any of my friends who aren't on the same side. If we agree we can have meaty discussions; if we don't it will only devolve into unpleasantness. It's been a pretty good policy, for me. We know that underneath the surface we disagree about politics but seriously - why bother about it?

For one thing - politics is boring, if you know what I mean. There is so much more richness to be found in conversation without delving into that particular cesspit. Never more so than these days. And because of that any political discussions are fraught with frustration and anxiety.

Which leads me to the reason for this one-time political post: yet another friend has forced their way into my political arena in a most unpleasant fashion. To wit:

• "I can't believe a friend of mine is a Trump supporter."
• "Trump supporters are unwell."
• "I just don't understand how you can support him."

All of this despite my numerous and increasingly hostile requests to stop trying to draw me into this particular corner wherein there will be no winners. Showing an utter and total lack of respect for me this individual just kept pushing and pushing and pushing some more.

All the while telling me how important I am to them, how much they care about me, love me, etc...yet continue to insult and attack me.

Really.

Really?!

Really!!!

W.T.F.

As you saw coming a mile away - this individual has left me no choice but to cut them off from my life. They claim I am ghosting them; au contraire my little bleeding heart. I was quite specific about what would happen if you persisted.

Funny - they claim to represent the party of "tolerance" yet all I see is intolerance masquerading as righteous indignation. For a group of people who stand on their moral high ground as compassionate members of society, their hypocrisy - when on full display - really is a technicolor wonder of hubris and judgement. 

YMMV of course.