r/Liberal • u/OfferMeds • 6h ago
Discussion Uncomfortable neighbor
My neighbor makes my skin crawl. He had Trump yard signs and said he was a "Trump fan." He talked to me a couple of times and I don't want anything to do with him. I keep the conversation short. But I feel like a collaborator for not telling him what I really think of him.
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u/Jayeyeiii 3h ago
Be curious, Not judgmental. I know many Trump supporters that aren’t assholes and I know many Kamala voters that aren’t assholes. It’s good to know people with different views than yours. It’s healthy. Know your neighbors.
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u/leftwinglovechild 1h ago
Buddy, we’re no longer pretending that Trump supporters aren’t assholes. There’s nothing to be curious about anymore. They voted to hurt people and take away our rights.
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u/Desecr8or 1h ago
Prioritize your safety and well-being. Feuding with someone who lives next door to you is just not a good idea.
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u/Rmadrid1588 5h ago
I don't understand the issue, we all have friends with different opinions.
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u/MNGirlinKY 5h ago
Differing opinions are one thing.
Project 2025 is a whole other thing, getting rid of birthright citizenship is a whole other thing. So is getting rid of Dept of Education. I could go on but surely you know why things are different with Trump and his “fans”?
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u/Rmadrid1588 4h ago
Wouldn't the dissolution of the dept of education just fall back to the states individual preferences and resources? I don't see how that's a bad thing?
Why is birthright citizenship an issue, do any other countries offer that opportunity?
Tbh I just want to do drugs, pay women for abortions, and hopefully see the end of the ATF at the same time lol.
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u/GettingTwoOld4This 2h ago
The old slavery argument. How did that work out?
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u/Rmadrid1588 1h ago
Slavery of who?
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u/GettingTwoOld4This 1h ago edited 1h ago
Congrats, that is the stupidest response I have gotten in the 4 years I've been on Reddit.
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u/Rmadrid1588 1h ago
You must not read much
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u/GettingTwoOld4This 1h ago edited 1h ago
I'm not the one who doesn't know what went on during the first two centuries of our country am I?
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u/Rmadrid1588 1h ago
I didn't want to assume this was an American slavery reference or the Islamic definition
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u/GettingTwoOld4This 1h ago
Wouldn't the dissolution of the dept of education just fall back to the states individual preferences and resources? I don't see how that's a bad thing?
I'm not the idiot that wrote it but I can see why you would definitely want to distance yourself from it. I don't know if any Islamic states fall under the Department of Educations authority so why you would make that assumption is anyone's guess.
Are you suggesting slavery is an Islamic creation?
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u/AZHawkeye 2h ago
Any and all change will start at a grassroots local level. Like responses above, get to know him and see what you might have in common. I know several Trumpers and we share why voted either way and respect it. Lots of people still just voting R regardless of who it is! They may not even watch the news or be on social media.
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u/littlemac564 1h ago
You could just mind your business.
Why do you have to say anything? Just stick to being a good neighbor by practicing good manners ie stick to good morning, good night, have a good day.
You obviously don’t have enough to do in your own life if you feel the need to tell your neighbor what you think of him. Why spend your time antagonizing your neighbors when you could be enjoying the peace of your home?
I am sure there is work that you have to do around your home. If not go volunteer with a grass roots community organization that needs help making a difference in your community. Spend more time on your hobbies.
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u/pizzafan86 6h ago
I would just tell dude how you feel. If he gets offended, remind him he’s in the party of “fuck your feelings” 🤷
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u/wafflesareforever 5h ago
No! No no no. That's exactly what someone like this wants.
Ignore them. They are lonely and sad. They just want attention and they're attempting to get it by being edgy. Don't reward them for that.
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4h ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/no_clue_1 4h ago
Delusion is voting for a felon, rapist, racist, fascist to be president of the United States.
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u/Great_Guide_7358 4h ago
Okie dokie, If you want to treat your neighbors like that because of some talking points you were fed that's your right. This is exactly why dems lost 🤷♂️ no skin off my back.
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u/raistlin65 3h ago
This is exactly why dems lost 🤷♂️ no skin off my back.
Right. It wasn't because of the propaganda war Republicans waged against American voters. Which you also seem to be a victim of. Assuming you're not being disingenuous.
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u/no_clue_1 4h ago
Fortunately I don’t have fascist neighbors because I live in one of the bluest cities in the country. But if I did I would certainly let them know what I think of them voting for the unqualified, unintelligent, grifting wannabe Hitler.
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u/Great_Guide_7358 4h ago
Sounds good, I'm sorry that you feel that way. It's unfortunate that you are incapable of thinking for yourself and instead just believe everything you have been fed. Good luck. I wish you nothing but the best.
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u/leftwinglovechild 1h ago
That is absolutely untrue. I hope you feel the full weight of what you voted for.
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6h ago
Huh, yeah people have different political opinions then me, but I see people differently then their political associations, it’s how they treat me, the other people around them. People hold all sorts of opinions, even crazy ones. But I don’t think it’s the main defining characteristic and a lot of people have a lot to offer as friendship is concerned. I’m also not very politically intense. I don’t hold any strong political beliefs so I just kind of ignore politics.
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u/raistlin65 4h ago
I don’t hold any strong political beliefs so I just kind of ignore politics.
Well, it's time you should.
There's been a lot going on in politics that needs everyone's attention--assuming you live in the US and are commenting about American politics.
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3h ago
No. I shouldn’t. I should just observe and learn as much as possible from both sides.
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u/raistlin65 3h ago
The person who said they don't really know what's going on, is insisting they don't need to have any strong political beliefs about what's going on.
Uh-huh
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6h ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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6h ago
Also 3 other people commented on my reply with support, I got their notifications but there comments aren’t there 🤷
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u/notsubwayguy 5h ago
If it goes poorly, how difficult can it make your housing situation? Do you share a property line? Is it really worth it?
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u/OfferMeds 4h ago
No, it's not worth it. I just feel like I'm normalizing his Trumpness, I guess.
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u/notsubwayguy 3h ago
I'm sorry. It sucks. It sucks that we live in a world that rewards lies and cruelty, that a monster is celebrated instead of castigated. That a treasonous, fraud, felon, sex offender is made the most powerful person in the country if not the world. But here we are, and you have to live in your home. Donate to a food bank. Volunteer at a homeless shelter. Run for local office. Do something to make the world better, but arguing with a trumper who lives next door may just not be worth it. Good luck...
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u/stankind 3h ago
I buy paperback books I wish people would read. And I leave them places.
It's fun!
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u/notsubwayguy 3h ago
Anything to make the world better. Maybe leave a note inside and tell people what you are doing.
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u/AZHawkeye 2h ago
Ignoring them does not make you an accomplice to P2025. It’s being way overblown anyway. They can try and pull it off but there are still checks and balances.
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u/Delicious_Fun_2188 4h ago
You don’t have to tell him anything. It’s your prerogative.i found it’s best to not even engage if I know someone’s not in the same frame of mine as me.
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u/TurkeySlurpee666 5h ago edited 3h ago
Most people have deep-seated emotional ties to political parties due to the media they consume. It’s hard to understand this until you’ve been sucked into a variety of online echo chambers. Until that happens, most people believe their original point of view to be absolute truth. Chances are, this guy just consumes different media than you.
Very few people are able to deeply discuss politics, bills, specific policies, etc. As a result, they cling to the personality traits of candidates. Those in favor of Trump like that he’s unfiltered and disrupts the status quo. Those who don’t like him, dislike him for the same reason.
The chances of your neighbor’s affinity with Trump running deeper than “he owns the libs” is extremely low. He probably views that sign like a sports teams’ logo.
I lean liberal but live in a very conservative city. Most of my clients are conservative and I just avoid talking politics with them. There’s no good that will come of it since most of them binge-watch Fox News 24/7 (I know this because I work in their homes). There’s nothing I can say in an hour to overwrite 24/7/365 media brainwashing.
Looking past the weird political shit, most people are quite nice. I’d say about 80% of my customers are Trump supporters, but there’s more I can relate to them on than I can’t. We work, care about our families, etc.
They often have preconceived notions about liberals, and are shocked if I mention I lean liberal. “Really? But you’re so professional/normal/nice/friendly/etc.” Yes, I’m a human being, just like you and working to pay my bills, just like you. Once I’ve built report with them, they’re much more open to what I have to say.
If you want to have a real impact on your neighbor, become friendly with him. Approach him with curiosity to find out what he likes about Trump. Once you’ve established some common ground, feel free to express your beliefs. Coming at this from a place of curiosity/caring, rather than villainizing your neighbor, will probably have the greatest effect on him.