So! How was your 4th of July Weekend?
Spill it all here. I really kind have wished I had stayed home.
I got back from Maine earlier today. Had to take a nap. Spent the weekend with all the republican members of my family and it was rough. Talk about gaslighting. There was nothing I could do to counter their bullshit. I honestly try not to get into it with them, and to be honest it could have been a lot worse, but when their children came downstairs wearing their "Trump 2020" T-shirts I just about lost it.
My favorite nephew and niece did not, but two of my nieces did and thought it was hilarious to troll their liberal aunt. My other visiting nephew said he wished he had a Trump shirt too. His sister wisely kept her mouth shut, which I respected Honestly, it really hurt. It felt very disrespectful. It hurt because I feel like at least one of their parents (probably their father) thought it would be amusing to treat me this way. Oh, and did I mention the Reagan/Bush '84 magnet and the Trump magnet on the refrigerator? WHY? They were never there before. I honestly thing my BIL is furious that they are losing, but it's still a dick move to make.
Unfortunately, my liberal brother in Baltimore was not there to help me fight this off. I could have used his help, as he is very forceful. It was not something I could take on my own. I was way outnumbered and felt completely crestfallen. I wanted to cry, but I didn't want them to know that they had gotten to me. I just left and went to bed.
These are all very educated, upper-middle class people and I really don't think racism is their main issue. It's "LIBERALISM" for them. My BIL had to take a swipe at the organic produce I brought them (because organic is "liberal"
and when we were talking about their senior daughter's college plans he said he would not let her go to Harvard or another Ivy even if she got a scholarship (because he has no respect for "those" people), although she is very smart and at the top of her class, athletic, talented, etd. and looking at BC, BU, Tufts and UVM. But the Ivy League is too snobby for him, even though everyone on our side of the family has gone to somewhat "elite" but non-Ivy private school. He went to decent schools, but not impressive names. Which doesn't matter, but I think it explains his resentment toward prestigious schools.
The whole weekend was just filled with bullshit like that. He has a major chip on his shoulder when it comes to anything he considers "elite", although they live a very privileged life. They have a huge, beautiful house w/a pool, a ski condo on a NE mountain, nice expensive cars, beautiful clothes, etc., I noticed that their bar only has the absolute top shelf liquour that would put the snootiest yuppie to shame.
They have the best of everything and so do their children. I don't really understand their resentment. It's really more my BIL more than my sister, but he influences the entire family. I have pretty much nothing, but I am so much happier and less resentful than they are.
I believe that for people like this it is nothing more than insecurity and their belief that they are less than/better than others. In other words, very status conscious. I am one of those people who could give a shit about status and therefore do not have a chip on my shoulder, so I treat everyone pretty much the same which I think is true of most Democrats. That is the very definition of a Democrat. For them, it is all about status and it's so important to them, which is why I think they live with such resentment. I just really hate seeing them indoctrinate their children. I wish there was something I could do, but it's not my place until the children leave home and go to school. Maybe then I can have a positive influence on them
= new reply since forum marked as read
I don't blame you for not taking them on, that's probably what they wanted and you didn't take the bait. I would have just stayed in my room and read.
I pretty much did avoid them after that. I made comment about how rude they were and they acted like I was the crazy one. It's that kind of stuff that I can't deal with. I appreciate your reply! 
Watched "Adventures in Babysitting" after dinner and had some good, nostalgic laughs.
After we got home at 11pm, our dog (who had developed a cyst on his neck) suddenly popped his cyst and so I was up all night doctoring him.
I treated it myself the rest of the weekend, with phone advice from the vet.
Took him in Monday morning, still draining.
Still draining today, but gradually the cyst is getting smaller.
I have to say, SM, I'd rather be doctoring my dog than put up with what you went through!
I hope he is feeling better. I hate to see animals suffering. Sounds like you had a nice time. Sometimes I wish we could get together without politics coming into everything. Better yet, I wish they would come to their senses and realize that they are on the losing team.
