Friends from the “evil” side of politics?

[Mock Turtle]

Given that I don't tend to want friends with which to argue, and especially over the more fundamental aspects of life, it's not surprising that the vast majority of my friends have had similar views to myself - certainly as to political views. Discussion - well that is normal, but I can do without their politics being a barrier between us. A few I have suspected of being somewhat right-wing but we tended to ignore this over what we had in common. And this especially being important when one often has to rely on another during some rather dangerous activities. No room for a lack of trust in some of these.

From a UK aspect, I doubt I have any friends who don't consider Trump to be an abomination and tragedy for the USA, and likewise Brexit, given that most of my friends have travelled quite widely in Europe, as I have have too. And I suspect that this is one reason why so many did vote for Brexit - not having travelled there much.

 

[metis]

So over the past few years I’ve heard increasing sentiments of folks from the US not being able to be friends with someone with the opposite political beliefs they hold or even cutting ties with said folks (usually with the context of rather extreme political beliefs, to be fair.)
Both sides seem disgruntled and even sound fed up and dejected by this polarisation.

Anthropologist Desmond Morris around 1970 predicted that this would happen to us because we don't know when to stop competing, thus "a house divided cannot stand" as has been said. We are reaping what we sow, and it's quite nasty.

 

[JustGeorge]

In general, I don't have much of an interest in talking about politics. I see the subject as kind of silly. People are getting so wound up over things they have absolutely no control over. I'll talk about the ideal way I would prefer society to be structured if they ask me and I know they're mature enough to agree to disagree.

Yup. I agree with this...

What drives me nuts is when people get hot and bothered about what the president has done/said/worn/eaten for breakfast(whoever that president might be), but can't tell you who their governor is...

My views tend to be a little removed from left/right, and I dislike arguing, so politics isn't my first choice of conversation.

 

[Secret Chief]

So do you guys have any friends from the other side of the aisle, so to speak?
Does this make things a bit awkward?
Do you just avoid talking politics for the sake of a relationship?

Yes. My friend (as in he was my witness at my civil partnership ceremony) voted for the Other Side at the last election (and probably prior to that) and also voted for brex****.
Not awkward because...On my side, I never raise political topics. He does sometimes to get my take on something but I never let it get...forthright. I'm Olympic standard at not reacting when I choose not to. So... we're still mates.

 

[Secret Chief]

I really do admire Australia for having mandatory voting. I think that mandatory voting would solve a lot of problems surrounding politics here.

Wouldn't that mean everybody would have to be able to spell X ?

 

[Secret Chief]

My Brexit voting friends and acquaintances have gone a bit quiet lately. And I don't see much mileage in gloating, seeing as we're all paying the price, and probably will be for decades to come. Well, not me, I doubt I have decades to come.

Anyway, if I see Nigel Farage in the street, I'll be reaching for a milkshake.

I'm proud to say when he came to my town he got a very appropriate welcome.
PS why aren't brexiters gloating seeing as it's all turned out brilliantly, rather than all that project fear nonsense.

 

[Secret Chief]

And I suspect that this is one reason why so many did vote for Brexit - not having travelled there much.

Didn't some of the costa del sol gammons vote for brexit and now find they can't pop back to use the NHS? I'm not laughing, honest.

- British expats in EU denied access to NHS

..and do they realise that they are immigrants?

(Of course the NHS is under even more pressure now, since those pesky foreigners went and left our hospital jobs).

 

[Secret Chief]

Yup. I agree with this...

What drives me nuts is when people get hot and bothered about what the president has done/said/worn/eaten for breakfast(whoever that president might be), but can't tell you who their governor is...

My views tend to be a little removed from left/right, and I dislike arguing, so politics isn't my first choice of conversation.

So can't I interest you in a furious row?

 

[Mock Turtle]

Didn't some of the costa del sol gammons vote for brexit and now find they can't pop back to use the NHS? I'm not laughing, honest.

- British expats in EU denied access to NHS

..and do they realise that they are immigrants?

(Of course the NHS is under even more pressure now, since those pesky foreigners went and left our hospital jobs).

Probably.

 

[JustGeorge]

So can't I interest you in a furious row?

Like this one?

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

I really do admire Australia for having mandatory voting. I think that mandatory voting would solve a lot of problems surrounding politics here.

So would the option of voting "None of the Above" for every elected position...

 

[Nakosis]

So this is probably moreso my curiosity as to the overall “climate” America has right now, as a drunken Aussie. But all are welcome to participate

So over the past few years I’ve heard increasing sentiments of folks from the US not being able to be friends with someone with the opposite political beliefs they hold or even cutting ties with said folks (usually with the context of rather extreme political beliefs, to be fair.)
Both sides seem disgruntled and even sound fed up and dejected by this polarisation.

So do you guys have any friends from the other side of the aisle, so to speak?
Does this make things a bit awkward?
Do you just avoid talking politics for the sake of a relationship?
Just curious.

Discuss as you please but I beg of you, be civil guys!

It is more important to avoid politics than religion these days.
I suppose one can choose friends but family is a different matter.
I find most people are normal sans the politics.

There are different cultures in the US and the politicians play on those cultural differences to the point where some feel violence is justified.
I'm hoping though that a majority of people will be able to see past their emotions.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

So can't I interest you in a furious row?

Arguments are down the hall to the right...

 

[Secret Chief]

Arguments are down the hall to the right...

Next door to abuse...stupid ***

 

[Secret Chief]

Like this one?

Weird!

 

[SomeRandom]

A couple of points:

1. There is absolutely nothing to forgive.
2. Australia has had its share right wing xenophobic and homophobic extremism, so I don't understand what you find so alien about U.S. politics. On the contrary, I would expect just the opposite.

By the way, you say that my question is fair, but I'm not at all sure that you've answered it.

Sorry. Blame the booze
You’re right that we have our fair share of xenophobic, homophobic etc here. But the MAGA cult like behaviour that I’ve witnessed is indeed entirely foreign to me. Perhaps I just lucked out in my particular little bubble of friends, family and associates. But no one really treats politics that way, (either side of the aisle.) Maybe because everyone here has to vote and therefore has no choice but to be at least a little invested and critical of all sides. I don’t know, honestly.


As to my answer. I honestly have very limited to no experience with anyone who supports Australia First. Indeed everyone I know regardless of political beliefs mock them as “Trump wannabes.”
So I feel like I’m unable to comment either way.
I suppose if their reputation is true then I can see why my question to you about cutting ties with MAGA types was wrong of me. Like of course one should cut toxic people out of their lives. It’s not worth it.
But that’s not really what my question to you was regarding. It was more my curiosity of the particular circumstances of your decision. Like if they crossed certain lines for you or you could see the writing on the wall, so to speak.
I guess I was just being nosy really. Sorry.

 

[Aštra’el]

There is no “good” or “evil” side of politics.

I have family and friends on the Right as well as the left. They can believe what they will when it comes to politics or religion. What matters to me is the trust, love, respect, and loyalty that had been built between us. When that is there… bonds are not so easily broken.