Living in a House Divided
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
United States
January 22, 2017 8:57am CST
I am not one that enjoys talking politics or religion. Both subjects tend to ruffle the feathers of many. For fear of offending or making someone angry, I distance myself from such discussions.
The entire campaign and election and eventual inauguration of our current president has caused nothing but anger and anxiety in our household. I am not saying who voted for who, not my style.
I feel this is going to be a rough 4 years. How we will survive this along with added problems is beyond me.
18 people like this
16 responses
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jan 17
My issue with the entire election/inauguration/politics hoopla is that we seem to have lost our ability to have civilized conversation with each other. That worries me about the future of our country when we can't even agree to disagree without wanting to kill each other.
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
22 Jan 17
@moffittjc that too worries me. We are unable to hold a conversation without losing control and raising our voices. People think that if they shout and holler that they will be heard more than the soft spoken voice.
@Susan2015 I have told my husband that we should leave our political beliefs at the door. He understands that it is something that we need to agree to disagree on and that is that.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jan 17
@ElusiveButterfly I try to avoid political or religious conversations too, but in those times where I find myself caught in conversation, I refuse to raise my voice, even if the other person is screaming at me at the top of their lungs. I also acknowledge right away that even if I don't share their viewpoint, I still respect their point of view. Between those two tactics, it usually works in de-escalting the situation.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
22 Jan 17
@moffittjc I tell them that I agree to disagree so we can all get along.
1 person likes this
@VivaLaDani13 (60355)
• Perth, Australia
22 Jan 17
@ElusiveButterfly I have always believed that talking about religion and politics can cause arguments or ruin friendships / relationships.
Annoying thing is, if a big bunch of people all sat together in a room all talking, not sharing their political views, saying what religion they believe in or talking about their sexuality, I say things would go quite fine. Just talking about hobbies, movies, music etc. You could have a great time!
Soon as religion, politics, gays, lesbians are of topic, BOOM. Friggen hell breaks loose.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
22 Jan 17
I leave the room or just let the words fall on deaf ears. If you even try to reason with someone who is hell bent on proving their point, you suffer a severe tongue lashing.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
22 Jan 17
@VivaLaDani13 whatever happened to civility in our conversations? It really gives me cause for concern.
2 people like this
@VivaLaDani13 (60355)
• Perth, Australia
22 Jan 17
@ElusiveButterfly Oh I know. Have had it quite a lot on MyLot. I'm not even that worried about Trump-a-saurus anymore. It's the people.
( not a stab at you if you're all Trump. Just saying that the people from both sides are going mental )
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
22 Jan 17
I do let it go, he cannot. He gets so angry over anything I say. So, I find it best not to say anything at all.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48478)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
@ElusiveButterfly That's too bad, you personally didn't choose the outcome of the election. But this is why people like you and I steer away from discussion regarding politics.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
22 Jan 17
@LadyDuck these boots are made for walking. LOL.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
22 Jan 17
I don't follow sports so that is never an issue for me. Politics and religion are taboo and I do not discuss them. I have clients that will insist on addressing either one or the other, or both and I tell them that I will not discuss it and walk away.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458230)
• Switzerland
22 Jan 17
@ElusiveButterfly It's the best to do, I do the same I do not want to be involved in such kind of discussions.
2 people like this
@Daljinder (23233)
• Bangalore, India
24 Jan 17
I am having trouble with some people whom I fail to recognize any more. I am like "Who are they? Did I ever know them for real?" It is so disconcerting how true colours are showing up. 
2 people like this
@VivaLaDani13 (60355)
• Perth, Australia
24 Jan 17
@Daljinder That would be good during an interrogation.
1 person likes this
@VivaLaDani13 (60355)
• Perth, Australia
24 Jan 17
@Daljinder Bloody well said! You and I are on the right page there. 
1 person likes this
@Daljinder (23233)
• Bangalore, India
24 Jan 17
@VivaLaDani13 Makes you wish you had a mind reading ability or at least the power to sense good or evil in people
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
Sadly you are not the only family dealing with this. I have seen so many families divided, so many friendship destroyed all over this. I would not want to be dealing with it on a daily basis like you are. 
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
22 Jan 17
It is not something that makes me feel at ease.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
22 Jan 17
@Happy2BeMe It is indeed. I told him how stressed I was and he laughed and said that I didn't know what stress was. Um, Okay, well that said it all.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
@ElusiveButterfly and understandably so. I hope things will settle down. Stress is hard on your health.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (170019)
• United States
23 Jan 17
Yeah, I generally try to avoid those topics, as strong feelings on either side can cause upset and stress.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
23 Jan 17
I am confronted several times during the week and it really isn't something I enjoy. Maybe they know they will get a rise out of me. Although I will nip it in the bud before it becomes an all out brawl.
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
22 Jan 17
I'm sorry I hope you can somehow figure out a way to get through things in a civil manner.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
23 Jan 17
Jennifer, I just don't respond most of the time. But there are times that warrant a response, especially when the information is not truth.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
23 Jan 17
the combo of those in office and their ideas, make me think it will indeed be a rough 4 years
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
23 Jan 17
We have survived others ideas of what is right, I guess we will survive this one too.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
25 Jan 17
@ElusiveButterfly well the world has, we shall see if we do, or at least how well we do
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
23 Jan 17
Thankfully my hubs and I both think the same. And yes it's going to be four years of difficulty unless the prez gets kicked out...but then the Vice President is worse
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
23 Jan 17
It is what it is. We just have to ride it out and see what happens.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
22 Jan 17
That would make for a difficult situation. Maybe a politics free zone at home would be good?
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
22 Jan 17
James, I believe in leave it at the door.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
22 Jan 17
My husband is stubborn and doesn't back down from a fight. I am a passive person and choose to walk away.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246906)
• United States
22 Jan 17
@ElusiveButterfly I'd walk away, too. You can't change someone's mind over their political or religious beliefs.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
22 Jan 17
My husband and I don't always agree with our choices in politics, so I have learned to shut my mouth and keep who I voted for to myself
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
22 Jan 17
I do the same. Even so there are times when he just flips when something is said on the news about issues at hand and tries to engage me in an argument over it.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
22 Jan 17
@fishtiger58 I often hear "well I know who you voted for" in a sarcastic tone. Well, I don't tell so how could you truly know? That is why voting is done with privacy screens.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
22 Jan 17
@ElusiveButterfly I know the feeling, I am an election judge so we are told we really should vote, I haven't missed an election since I could vote. However for the past 15 years or so my hubby and I have started to disagree on the politics, and I refuse to tell him anymore who I voted for.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
22 Jan 17
I have friends in the Netherlands who wanted to discuss politics and I just laughed and said I am not going to comment.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
23 Jan 17
I think one should wait and watch. It may not be that bad after all. It is the people that make or break and this the President is well aware of.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325854)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Jan 17
It is a shame that the situation is impacting so much on families. And even worse if you think it will continue in this way for 4 years.
