Grandparents pretty much declared MAGA comes first

[Anonymous]

My parents, who are in their 70s, sent me an email the other day ranting about “leftist Marxists” and how Trump is trying to protect our country’s “Judeo-Christian values.” This was in response to a conversation we had regarding the treatment of federal workers (we have a few in our family) and the fact that we could lose half our household income if my husband or I are RIF’ed.

They said that’s too bad and that I shouldn’t be so bitter (exact words— “you’re better than that”), but “we need to protect our country from the leftists.” They signed off their email with “we love you and will always be here for you.” What’s supposed to mean? They’re ok with us losing our income but alas, they still love us 🤦‍♀️

And that’s it. How can I have a relationship with these people? Is it possible knowing they put Trump first. I do feel this is out of my wheelhouse at this point, they’re in a cult, and nothing is going to change. Just be cordial going forward, try to make the holidays work and wait until 2028.

[Anonymous]

I would ignore and just keep everything surface level. Focus on talking about good memories in the past.

Because that’s what cult deprogramming experts suggest is most effective. If you fight back, they get more entrenched in the cult’s views (including the belief they are under attack from outsiders). You have to make it easy for them to escape without having to admit they were wrong or duped bc that makes it harder.

[Anonymous]

“I hope you have time to reflect on the actual teachings and example of Jesus Christ, who you claim to love and follow. Please get back in touch only when you can treat and talk about EVERYONE with dignity, respect, decency and compassion.”

[Anonymous]

Stop talking about politics. Shut down any attempts to start an argument. It takes 2 sides to argue. Don’t give them the second side.

[Anonymous]

My trumper parents call me telling me how concerned they are that I will loose my job and keep offering to send us money. (Thankfully it looks like I will be safe from any RIFs and we don’t need the money.) I don’t honestly think it’s better. They show no remorse or reconsideration of their support for him. We basically have an agreement to not discuss politics and it mostly holds although sometimes I can’t handle it and pull back for awhile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would ignore and just keep everything surface level. Focus on talking about good memories in the past.

Because that’s what cult deprogramming experts suggest is most effective. If you fight back, they get more entrenched in the cult’s views (including the belief they are under attack from outsiders). You have to make it easy for them to escape without having to admit they were wrong or duped bc that makes it harder.

Interesting. What happens when there is not a family or memory bond to call on?

[Anonymous]

Cut them off. Report anything they've ever done that you kept to yourself out of loyalty to the police, even small things like getting an unauthorized house expansion. Never speak to them again.

[Anonymous]

You have my permission to take a long break from them and even make other holiday plans.

[Anonymous]

For my own relatives, I think about the fiery retorts I would send back to them, each one more clever than the last. But in reality I don't respond at all and just pull back for a bit. Meanwhile, I wonder when karma will finally hit and they'll be personally impacted at which point I will think about how satisfying it would be use their own words against them, all the while knowing I would never stoop to that level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stop talking about politics. Shut down any attempts to start an argument. It takes 2 sides to argue. Don’t give them the second side.

NO. I am so sick of people saying this. Politics = life at this point. What is happening in politics is DIRECTLY and significantly impacting everything that is going on in peoples lives. Stop acting like it's just another "topic". How the hell are they supposed to not talk about losing their jobs, careers, etc and the upheaval it has in their lives and how unfair and arbitrary it feels. STOP catering to the snowflake MAGA crowd and lets them say or do anything they want and just take the "high road", swallow your thoughts and feelings and act like everything is okay.

[Anonymous]

I'd drop your end of the rope. I cut off my MAGA aunt, she was saying racist stuff about my nephews. I will always pick them first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stop talking about politics. Shut down any attempts to start an argument. It takes 2 sides to argue. Don’t give them the second side.

NO. I am so sick of people saying this. Politics = life at this point. What is happening in politics is DIRECTLY and significantly impacting everything that is going on in peoples lives. Stop acting like it's just another "topic". How the hell are they supposed to not talk about losing their jobs, careers, etc and the upheaval it has in their lives and how unfair and arbitrary it feels. STOP catering to the snowflake MAGA crowd and lets them say or do anything they want and just take the "high road", swallow your thoughts and feelings and act like everything is okay.

DP. But policies DOESN'T equal life for a lot of people. These are things that aren't happening to THEM--they're happening to OTHERS. Which is why you can't make them understand a different point of view. I don't think it's fair to accuse people of catering to MAGA snowflake relatives when they choose not to talk about politics with them. If you want to argue until you're blue in the face to try to convince someone the sky is blue when they fully believe it's red, have at it. But most of us recognize how futile it is and choose to spend our time and energy on other things.

[Anonymous]

To me, action matters more than words. If your parents are great to you otherwise, I would just ignore and pretend that they are old and suffering from dementia or some form of mental illness. If they are not great to you otherwise, then be cordial but i would just slow fade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looks like you're part of the problem. Why are you going on about that you "might" loose your job? Are you also having conversations that you "might" have a car accident? Drown? Get attacked by a pit bull? Once something happens, you deal with it. You seem to have TDS. What do you expect them to say? The government has grown too big and there're too many people on the payroll who are not needed and continue to "work from home". We've run out of money a long time ago. If you do loose your job, you'll have to look for another one just like other people who are not employed by the government and who loose their jobs. You're not special.

OP here.

But Elon is so special he deserves access to all of our data and billions in new contracts, correct? Now THAT’s a special snowflake living off the government, no?

My parents wound rather see their grandkids lose out than Elon lose out. Because he is so special.

Cults are amazing.

[Anonymous]

They are ignorant, stupid, and bored, so they sit and let Fox News fill their empty head.

If you want to help them (and help society), you need to fill their head with more pleasant, civilized thoughts, not fight against draw attention to) their bad thoughts.