Richard L. Eldredge: To my family who chose Trump over me: Was it worth it?

By Dilip -

NB: A personal mini-memoir that is not only moving, but could make us think seriously about the significance of politics in private life; and the emotional investment involved in ideological thinking. It is important not only for Americans, but for people in different parts of the world whose inner lives have been transformed by their political stances. DS

Family birthday greetings, anniversary celebrations and graduation photos eventually disappeared from my timeline as other family members used social media to take sides. When I typed the names of relatives I've known and loved all my life into the Facebook search box, profiles popped up, along with the phrase "Add Friend." Or in extreme cases, you vanished completely after blocking me.

How did we get here? The invitations to your holiday gatherings stopped coming. Your daughter got married and I wasn't invited. We haven't spoken since 2017. Over our love-filled 50-year bond, you chose a hate-filled New York millionaire who has never spent a moment with you, cried with one of you when your dad died, hugged another of you at your mom's funeral or otherwise cared about you.

I know his supporters, you included, see the version of Trump he claims to be. Here is who I see. A man under seemingly constant investigation while in office. A man who brags about grabbing women by their genitals. A man who -- though he denies it -- others say calls members of our military "losers" and "suckers." A morally bankrupt, impeached and now lame duck President.

A man who refers to members of the press -- my chosen profession for the past three decades -- as "enemies of the people." A man who mocks the disabled, who basks in the adoration of a crowd chanting his name as he engages in cruelty. That's not who you are. That's not who you have ever been….

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/10/opinions/trump-tore-my-family-apart-eldredge/index.html

Mohammed Hanif: The rest of the world has had it with US presidents, Trump or otherwise

You're fired ! Americans taunt Trump with his own catchphrase

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ends truce by warning ‘incompetent’ Democratic party

George Monbiot: Ayn Rand - A Manifesto for Psychopaths

Tom McTague: The Decline of the American World

Donald Trump: Democracy’s mirror image? By Philip Manow / David A. Bell - Fascism or Caesarism?

Jonathan Freedland - Donald Trump's plot against democracy could break America apart

Margaret Wertheim - I feel therefore I am

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