Before covid, theres a couple friends I would visit who had friends who are right wingers.

[Jetheels]

I would get little clues here and there about some of their views. They would spout anti Obama or pro Koch bros rhetoric. Conspiracy theories like fake moon landing beliefs and chem trails. Oh and the fires in California were not a big deal, more like exciting. It was all kinda disturbing but they seemed harmless, and fringe minority. But I feel like that’s all changed now. They are not harmless, as individuals, but they are part of a dangerous movement. I’m posting this because I would like some feedback as to what to do. I don’t have a lot of friends, or family. I feel like I’m losing so many people to trumpism. Do I not visit my friends who associate with them? Do I even bring this up with my friends who associate with them? Am I being too judgmental? Or do I keep this too myself and just continue these relationships and ignore the nutty parts of these people?
My friends don’t seem to have any problems with these loonies, and I sometimes wonder what my friends true colors are. I’ve learned to not discuss politics with family members. They mostly vote third party.

[Squinch]

1. So you are considering not associating with Democratic friends

because they associate with trumpers?

Kay.

[Jetheels]

3. I think they're more like independents.

[LakeArenal]

2. Yes visit friends. For crying out loud...

Tell them as friends you don’t listen to it.
Let them decide or not.

I have Republican friends. She is crazy for trump. He’s as important to her as Obama or Biden is to me. We don’t get near the subject of politics.

We made these friends three years into Donald’s reign.

Democrats are we not better people?
Well act like it. Not saying anything about loving people you disagree with. Just accept them on terms of no politics.

It’s the right thing to do and it’s what Joe Biden campaigned for. Unity is hard.
If you aren’t willing to even try why bother voting for Joe.

[MLAA]

7. I have a different view.

Your recent friend caused all the pain we are experiencing. Trump is one sick individual, your friend is one of the approximately 70 million who enabled him.

She had a hand in all the resulting destruction of our norms, decency and democracy. Hard to understand that you wouldn’t hold her responsible in any way.

I’m in the shame and shun club.

[LiberalLoner]

8. Me too.

[LakeArenal]

9. No one person is the reason for trump.

It’s a complex matter with no simple solution.

I respect your opinion.

[snowybirdie]

4. I was thinking that same thing

the other day. I used to just tolerate anti Democrat party folks. Not discuss politics with them. We all got along based on other mutual factors. Now, however, they scare and disgust me, and I don't want to be around them. I can see my tolerance has encouraged them to become more crazy and delusional. I'm afraid, once the virus is over and we can visit with others again, hubby and I will not be socializing much anymore. Time to take up new hobbies.

[safeinOhio]

5. I tend to move to new places often.

I join the local Democratic Party and Find a UU church and seem to meet like minded folks.
Hey works for me. I'm not real religious and neither are the UUs.

[Bluethroughu]

6. I stand up and speak for what is facts and truth

I live in a red county, blue state. They are all around me. They know where I stand on issues, but if they bring something up, I don't back down and provide facts. It is a debate that usually results in the neighbor walking away in anger, to which I loudly say, "It's okay Bob I still like you, have a good day".

I can not keep quiet because a lot of these people get no other point of view or facts to back up their opinions. They are always friendly and occasionally need help for which we oblige.

It is personal preference on approach, but I can't keep quiet because I feel as if I am lying by ommission. I be me, you be you.

[Phoenix61]

10. Politics is morality in action.

Came across that the other day and it sums up my feelings perfectly. I live in a really red part of a really red state but.... there are enough of us here that I have plenty of folks to socialize with. Maybe we’re a tighter group because of where we live. I just can’t be friends with someone who thinks it’s ok to pull a child out of their parent’s arms, then send the parent back to whatever country they came from and lose the child in the system. I lost a friend over that. She’s a teacher and always on about how much she loves kids. Her comment was, “They shouldn’t have come here” and that was the end of a 10 year friendship. She showed me who she is and it’s ugly and there’s no place in my life for that. I’m polite to her when I run into her but that’s it.