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Do most of your friends agree with your political views? (1 Viewer)

timschochet

timschochet

Footballguy
I’m curious about this. I’m a liberal Democrat (centrist on some issues) but my friends and family  tend to be mostly conservatives. I have a few friends who agree with with me but they’re not the majority (then again I live in Orange County, California, which has never been exactly a bastion of liberalism.) 

How about your friends and family? Do they mostly agree with you or not? 

 
The area in general tends to be fiscally conservative and socially liberal.  Plenty of my friends fit that bill.  Some are diehard MAGA.  Some are progressive all the way.

 
Yes and the percentage is increasing everyday it seems, for obvious reasons.

Got caught on empty last night coming back from the bar and had to stop where I couldn't use my points.  $5.00 a gallon, didn't fill up, I just put in a couple gallons to get home.  Hadn't done that since I was a poor teenager.  

Eaves dropping on random conversations during the Cinco Di Mayo festivities and no one was talking about abortion...it was all about how minimum wage increases are completely wiped out and then some by inflation.

Market in the tank - how's your 401k?

 
ChiefD said:
We don't talk politics. Ever.

Makes for pretty good friendships and a close family. 
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Is this because you intentionally avoid talking about it? Or because it's just not something that interests you and your friends/family?

 
Mostly agree. Seattle is pretty liberal. Have a few friends who are closet conservatives I can tell.

I work with a couple hardcore MAGA folks and we get along fine with the occasional argument when we first felt comfortable talking about this stuff. Now we just think each other are nuts about that one part of our lives and the occasional dig gets thrown around. 

Anyone I hang with where this is going to be an issue I'd try not to open these convos.

But, I also probably wouldn't hang with anyone too much where it would be an issue to talk about politics I think. Doesn't come up too often and when it does people typical "play the hits" and the convo moves on to something else.

 
Work at an engineering firm in the south that does rocket stuff.  Technical, educated, logical group.  I don't know of a liberal in the place.

 
Sand said:
Work at an engineering firm in the south that does rocket stuff.  Technical, educated, logical group.  I don't know of a liberal in the place.
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My workplace is pretty similar. But I'm in the North East and we're an extremely diverse group from all over the world and most are pretty liberal. Also an engineering company so very technical, highly educated group.

 
To answer the question - does anyone agree with my political views?  Sure on a given topic, but beyond that?

I have never lived around people that shared my political views so once I chose to have friends (somewhere around age 2 I guess)  I accepted they would think differently than me.  Sometime it can be jarring just how differently since they seemed to be otherwise "so much like me".   But the friendships survive and thrive.

 
I have 2 best friends (really more like brothers) and the 3 of us have all been very close for coming up on 30yrs. Families vacation together and the whole 9. 1 is very liberal, 1 is very conservative but not a Trump fan.  I’m in the middle.  We talk politics maybe 5% of the time and not for long when we do.  

 
All over the board. From hard-core MAGA who believe in the China Covid Conspiracy to even harder-core Bernie Bros who almost moved to Canada in 2016. We get into some good stuff together. 

 
In general, I try not to discuss politics with friends.  I save all of that energy for here.  

I do know that many of them are conservative and many are liberal.  

 
My brother is a polar opposite of me when it comes to politics. We both know it and just don't bring politics up.

 
Work-type friends and acquaintances skew conservative. Lifelong friends are predominantly pinko commies left of the folks here with a couple of MAGAish dudes sprinkled in. I'm a nutty libertarian. We certainly do our share of incredulous scoffing at one another's opinions, but we're old and know where the bodies are buried, so we're stuck with each other. And as heated as a political disagreement can get, it doesn't compare to the vitriol spewed during arguments about unfair trades in fantasy football 30 years ago.

 
I'm a Conservative in Canada.  Most of my friends are the same.  My sister and Mom are very Liberal.  We talk politics quite often, but it is never heated. 

I have voted all over the spectrum Federally, because in Canada we do not vote for the leader, but vote for someone from the riding that represents the leader.  I could not vote Conservative in the last election, because the member of parliament in my riding was a strong believer in Conversion therapy and tried to put a bill forward.  But I still did not vote for Trudeau.

 
Joe Bryant said:
Thanks. That's what I thought I remembered. If you don't mind sharing, can you elaborate on your friendship with your friends you describe as diehard MAGA?
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One is one of my closest friends.  In the standard group that golfs, bowls, and plays cards together.  He's on my BBQ team (although we haven't competed since COVID started).  As for MAGA credentials, he believes OANN is serious news and that Trump genuinely cares about regular people.

Another is more a close friend of one of my best friends.  Believes everything that Tucker Carlson says.  Good guy, funny, intelligent, as long as the topic isn't politics.

 
Rich Conway said:
One is one of my closest friends.  In the standard group that golfs, bowls, and plays cards together.  He's on my BBQ team (although we haven't competed since COVID started).  As for MAGA credentials, he believes OANN is serious news and that Trump genuinely cares about regular people.

Another is more a close friend of one of my best friends.  Believes everything that Tucker Carlson says.  Good guy, funny, intelligent, as long as the topic isn't politics.
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Your friends  sound great.

 
Rich Conway said:
One is one of my closest friends.  In the standard group that golfs, bowls, and plays cards together.  He's on my BBQ team (although we haven't competed since COVID started).  As for MAGA credentials, he believes OANN is serious news and that Trump genuinely cares about regular people.

Another is more a close friend of one of my best friends.  Believes everything that Tucker Carlson says.  Good guy, funny, intelligent, as long as the topic isn't politics.
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Thanks. How do y'all reconcile such different beliefs and stay such close friends?

And to be clear, I think what you're doing is great. And it's what we all should do. I'm just interested in more about it. 

 
I'm a conservative and lean right. My wife's brother hates Trump and hates Republicans and has said so but still has opinions in regards to student loans, LGBTQ issues, monetary policy and states rights that are more conservative.  But his hatred of Trump and Republicans clouds his ability to see that.  My sister in law is farther left. Way farther left. My father in law is too old to really care much anymore. 

So we generally don't talk politics. If they start into their discussions I just listen and keep my opinions to myself.  

Because...in their minds if you're a republican then you're just stupid.   Get that a lot from that side

 
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Pretty decent mix really.  Of my two better friends who I see more than others and fish with.  One has always been more of a liberal….the other more conservative.   Interesting enough, the liberal is the hinter/gun owner and loves to shoot.  The other isn’t a fan of guns at all. 

 
Joe Bryant said:
Thanks. How do y'all reconcile such different beliefs and stay such close friends?

And to be clear, I think what you're doing is great. And it's what we all should do. I'm just interested in more about it. 
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Honestly, you do have to try to stay away from politics as a subject of conversation when the differences are that great.  We talk about the kids, about BBQ, about stuff in town, golf, work stuff, etc.  On occasion, especially if we're drinking, politics might come up, but even then it just has to stay respectful.

 
supermike80 said:
I'm a conservative and lean right. My wife's brother hates Trump and hates Republicans and has said so but still has opinions in regards to student loans, LGBTQ issues, monetary policy and states rights that are more conservative.  But his hatred of Trump and Republicans clouds his ability to see that.  My sister in law is farther left. Way farther left. My father in law is too old to really care much anymore. 

So we generally don't talk politics. If they start into their discussions I just listen and keep my opinions to myself.  

Because...in their minds if you're a republican then you're just stupid.   Get that a lot from that side
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It's for the best.    

 
Rich Conway said:
Honestly, you do have to try to stay away from politics as a subject of conversation when the differences are that great.  We talk about the kids, about BBQ, about stuff in town, golf, work stuff, etc.  On occasion, especially if we're drinking, politics might come up, but even then it just has to stay respectful.
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Thanks. Does it ever get to the  "Maybe you're not a racist but you support a racist so what does that make you?' conversation?

 
supermike80 said:
I'm a conservative and lean right. My wife's brother hates Trump and hates Republicans and has said so but still has opinions in regards to student loans, LGBTQ issues, monetary policy and states rights that are more conservative.  But his hatred of Trump and Republicans clouds his ability to see that.  My sister in law is farther left. Way farther left. My father in law is too old to really care much anymore. 

So we generally don't talk politics. If they start into their discussions I just listen and keep my opinions to myself.  

Because...in their minds if you're a republican then you're just stupid.   Get that a lot from that side
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I actually see that from both sides a lot. I'm conservative on fiscal issue and pretty liberal on social issues. So my side of the family (who is mostly hard core liberal) thinks I'm a stupid Trump loving Republican. My wife's side of the family is mostly hard core conservatives. Who think I'm an Obama loving bleeding heart snowflake.  :lmao:

I must be doing something right if everyone thinks I'm "just not thinking for myself". My wife is more conservative than I am we don't agree on all politics and have had some great discussions on it. We respect each other's opinions and never talk down to each other. Wish more people could talk politics like that. Neither side has a monopoly on good ideas or bad ideas. We could sometimes learn things if we listened with an open mind. 

 
I want to be on the middle of most topics.  I am pro-choice, pro-health care, pro stronger borders, pro-less government, Pro let people marry whoever they want. 

Basically, stuck in the middle of two parties I dislike.  I like some things of both, hate somethings of both.  Hate being labeled. I did not care for Trump or Biden.  Who is worse?  That is another debate.  They both are bad in their own ways.

My GOP friends who are many in the area I live really don`t talk very much about politics, they will complain of course about and actually debate topics.  In my golf league a few Dems left mad over discussions with the GOP guys. 

 My Dems friends who include my wife`s family are always more hostile or angry about this and that.  To the point where discussion is impossible.

Not sure why that is but it always ends up that way.  I hope we can meet in the middle one day but that is a pipe dream in todays climate.

 
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Da Guru said:
I want to be on the middle of most topics.  I am pro-choice, pro-health care, pro stronger borders, pro-less government, Pro let people marry whoever they want. 

Basically, stuck in the middle of two parties I dislike.  I like some things of both, hate somethings of both.  Hate being labeled. I did not care for Trump or Biden.  Who is worse?  That is another debate.  They both are bad in their own ways.

My GOP friends who are many in the area I live really don`t talk very much about politics, they will complain of course about and actually debate topics.  In my golf league a few Dems left mad over discussions with the GOP guys. 

 My Dems friends who include my wife`s family are always more hostile or angry about this and that.  To the point where discussion is impossible.

Not sure why that is but it always ends up that way.  I hope we can meet in the middle one day but that is a pipe dream in todays climate.
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Are you perry johnson?

 
Probably 70/30 liberal.  I live in an insanely liberal Chicago suburb.   My kids know one kid at school whose parents voted for Trump.   Total.  One.  It’s a bubble here.

But my extended family and neighbors growing up were almost all conservative.   Went to a funeral a few weeks ago back home.  One of my dad’s cousins showed up to lunch wearing a Trump hat.  Most of my parents’ neighbors (who I grew up around and still know/see) voted Trump.

I’ve always been politically aware (as far back as age 7-8) but really just don’t talk politics with extended family and neighbors back home.   Just not worth the damage to friendships.   Most folks on “the other side” are genuinely good people; we just disagree on politics.  I’ve gotten to know a few folks in this forum who are polar opposite me politically.   They seem like really good people and hopefully all those on “the other side” who I have true engagement with feel similarly about me.

 
I have some of both but I don't feel as close to the ones who went all in on Trump. Just didn't respect them anymore so it's hard to be good friends with them. But I have very few friends that are centrist or moderate conservatives like I consider myself. I now tend to gravitate to more liberal friends these days even though I may disagree with them.on some issues they seem more rational.

 
I don't talk about politics or religion with friends, family or business associates.  That was the social norm I grew up with and it worked quite well.  I don't know what happened, when, or why - but the pervasiveness of politics into every aspect of life in America has been an absolute disaster.  This country has become a miserable place to live in.  Part of me thinks that the smart phone age has ushered in some sociological changes that aren't fully understood yet, and one of them may be that people today are more isolated and lonely, and they seek belongingness through political tribalism.  I also think the movement away from religion has had an effect as well.

At this point I'm fairly certain that America, as currently constituted, won't be around much longer.  I just hope it's an amicable break-up, but that's probably a pipe dream.  As the old saying goes, "If things didn't end badly, they wouldn't end at all."

 
I don’t think I have a single friend who either agrees or disagrees with me on every political topic under the sun.

 
ChiefD said:
We intentionally avoid it.  
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I can see that. I was visiting my uncle's local pub a few years in Pittsburgh. Definitely a ton of regulars and they all knew each other. Big sign above the bar that said "No Politics Talk". I asked how serious they were about it and he said, "VERY".

I can for sure see that.

 
Hoh said:
I don’t think I have a single friend who either agrees or disagrees with me on every political topic under the sun.
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I would think that’s true for most of us. But generally speaking, I have friends who are more liberal than me, some who are center left like me, some who are center right, and some who are staunch conservatives. But I will say that of all my conservative Republican friends, none of them are MAGA Trump lovers. The only folks I know that fall into that category are people from high school who I happen to stay in touch with via FB and some of my relatives (including my Dad).

 
My two main friend groups are polar opposite and it is tough on me because id like them to mix but it might be a recipe for disaster. My brother and two friends who I hang out with all the time, especially during  football season, are very progressive and openly left leaning. They have their Black Lives Matter and Rainbow coalition signs in the yard or windows. My lady friend and her family are staunch MAGA Trump folks and they wear their swag with pride. Would love to do some porch drinking at my brothers place with my girlfriend but she can be pugnacious and my bro and friends certainly don't feel compelled to put on a front for show so I'm left kind of walking two worlds.

To note, I am definitely a lefty and that has made for some pretty bad endings for my girlfriend and I when its just the two us hanging out. I have to continually tell her I am not interested in talking politics when she is ready to launch into the outrage of the day. She is quick to point to all Biden "I Did This" stickers at our local gas pumps as if she expects me to ask absolution for my sin of voting for the guy. I really enjoy her company overall but the politics thing is brutal at times. And I don't have this problem with her family as they just rib me now and then and allow me space to give a little in return before we turn to other subjects. The counter to this is my mom who looooves her CNN and who I also have to remind to not bring up politics when I come over. Its stressful and takes away from enjoying a visit. 

I am much more comfortable talking politics with my bro and friends as we are similar in our view but even then I keep quiet if they start getting to deep. 

TL;DR: Talking politics with friends and family can be stressful so the only winning move is not to play.  

 
Since I don't really fit into one political party no but I don't really ever talk about politics except here a little

 
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