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Opposite ends politics.

Newimprvmodel's picture

So with all the world events and politics happening DH and I are at wit's end many days it seems with each other.   At first he and I were on the same page but his daughter has convinced him otherwise.  And i cringe writing this because I sound like a shrew but its the truth. Lately he's been very into politics which is something we were never into. His daughter now sends him TikTok videos as iof they are the truth of the news.  Without going into details because I dont want this to be political but he and I can't even agree. To disagree some days. He tells me rather disrespectfully that I have my head in the sand how naive am I.   Meanwhile his daughter is the political expert on it all.  So today i took the approach that he and I had a cooling off day. I heard him talking about my views to her as if I was totally wrong and they wer right last night. 

Life goes on of course but the wall comes up. I know I sound like I am in competition with her and maybe I do resent her.  She is the stranger that manipulates my husband. Ah the benefits of second marriages. Right?  Look I've disagreed with friends and others but this is hurtful. My DH actually used a slur that is in society in conversation. Totally unaware to him and I called him out on it. He did agree it was wrong.

Im not looking for answers just commiseration. Im sure it would have been easier if his children integrated into our family instead being on the sidelines and creating friction in our marriage. 

Rumplestiltskin's picture

His miniwife is also his political guru? That's a new Barf Award. Because young girls are known for their superior grasps of world events. Right? Also, if he can be easily swayed from one "side" to the other by TikTok videos, he isn't looking like the sharpest tool. 

notsurehowtodeal's picture

I realize you didn't ask for advice, but he has no business discussing anything about you with his daughter. If I were you, I would keave the politics aside, but make it clear to him that you will not tolerate him talking to her about you. That is so disrespectful!

la_dulce_vida's picture

He shouldn't be using you as an example of the wrong way to think or believe. That is a betrayal. He's supposed to be loyal to you - not throw you under the bus to someone who isn't kind to you.

I lean conservative. My partner leans very very very liberal. He would gladly admit he's a socialist.

I'm also a Christian, though not really signing onto any one church denomination. He's an atheist/agnostic.

My beliefs bother him a LOT more than his beliefs bother me, and I have often felt like he treated ME as a proxy for ALL the people he considers conservative.

I am conservative, but I'm most likely moderate. I'm not an extremist, but he has a habit of lumping anyone who is right of his beliefs as the MOST extreme and obnoxious element of the conservative spectrum. And it pisses me off. I'm not extreme in the least nor am I the spokesperson or posterchild for extremists. Because I am his primary social connection and he's starved for people to debate with, I think he likes to pick arguments with me to flex his debating skills. I'm not interested. I have an open mind and I don't mind getting input on tough subjects, but I don't like being badgered as if I'm the head of the Republican Party. I'm a Libertarian/Independent, so grrrr.

I do not understand why people get so wound up about this stuff and let it cause problems in relationships.

ESMOD's picture

My husband and I lean in the same political direction.. but he has taken a much stronger interest in following things.. and if I'm honest.. sometimes some of his news sources fall into the category of slightly fringe.. and not always being totally accurate in the way they portray all the facts...like things are true.. but sometimes a bit exagerated or twisted a bit.  AND.. I see this happening just as bad on BOTH sides of the spectrum.. so it's not partisan.

My personal interest and involvement is to try to take a pragmatic and balanced view.. I try to research claims I see being made.. and try to see the source and unspin the spin.  I vote.  

What I don't do is spend my time "angry" about it all t he time.. and railing against things I can't control.  I vote.. I am secure in my own beliefs.. but understand other people  have their own reasons for believing what they hear.. and yeah.. I probably don't spend much time with people who hold different beliefs.. but can coexist when necessary.  

In the end..it's not burrying your head to not want to discuss.. it's recognizing that at my level there is little I can do.. and in the end.. the "powers that be" are probably equally "bad" in the way that they profit off our backs.

and... there is enough misery in the world... and trying to focus on the "good" in my life is more mentally healthy for me.

Crspyew's picture

Are part of one's core values, regardless of which way you lean.  I think our current environment focuses on division not commonality, we don't hear each other any more and increasingly people aren't interested in trying to listen to different options. Fact free social media like tik took or X and mainstream media that all seems to be biased one way or another don't help.  People want to get their info on 10 second bites, don't want to research issues and seem to be increasingly incapable of critical thinking.  I am really worried abt the coming impact of AI because it will be impossible to distinguish real images from fake.

I am sorry you are in this situation. I had to take a big step back frm my stepkids because their beliefs of have become the polar opposite of mine.  I won't tolerate hate and intolerance in my home.  My stepdaughter likes to poke and start arguments just for fun I think.  I got tired of being accused of being part of the deep state so now have very little contact with her.  Unfortunately you can't disengage frm your DH.  I could not stay married to my DH if his beliefs were starkly different than mine. But that is me I would never suggest that to anyone else.

Rags's picture

So, become the expert on politics.  Enroll in an online Poli Sci degree program and start baring SD and DH's idiot asses as you actually become the expert.  (Poli Sci was one of the 6 undergrad majors I declared but did not complete.  It is an interest of mine though I am no expert.)

Religion, money, and politics are the third rails in many marriages, friensdships and famlies.  Sadly idiot StepSpawn are the most frequent death knell/3rd rail in second/subsequent marriages.

I have my positions on the third rail topics. They are informed and I can explain them.  In general, I am a fiscal conservative and a social libertarian.  The Gov't should not spend money it does not have and the Gov't and everyone else should stay out of people's personal lives, decisions, and beliefs.  As long as those decisions and beliefs do not adversely impact the lives, decisions, and beliefs of others.

If I were on the Presidential ticket my platform would be short and sweet.  Government should be limited to 1. Enforcing the laws of the land.  2. Providing for the common defence.  3. Fostering/defending national interests in the international community.  4. Creating and maintaining critical National infrastructure. 5. Leading critical research that is in the best interests of the Nation (NASA, DARPA, CDC, etc...)  6. Providing basic  (Note: The BASIC part) support for those physically or intellectually incapable of providing for themselves (Note: I did not say we should support those "not willing" to provide for themselves.)

In short, maintaining the environment that fosters the rights of life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and the pursuit of opportunity.

Individuals have to be accountable for providing for themselves and their families.  It is not the responsibility of the broader base of tax payers to support those unwilling to do so. PERIOD. DOT.

On money, I keep what is mine, you keep what is yours, the Gov't should have no choice but to maintain a balanced budget, and needs to be whittled down by about 60% as far as staff is concerned.  The taxes paid by the people, are the people's money and the Gov't (Local/State/National) should be held to being diligent stewards of that money.

On religion, I have my beliefs.  That is it.  The beliefs of others are up to them. I respect those beliefs as long as those beliefs do not interfere in how others live their beliefs.  Stay out of my spirituality, I will stay out of yours.  I have absolute respect for the world's religions and their related beliefs. Until.... they put on the mantle of extremism or in any way support extremists. Even then, my issue is not with the religious beliefs, my issue is with the choices of individuals within those religions.

On most things, DW and I are in the same book.  Though rarely on the same page and almost never on the same paragraph.  We can talk about it all, debate, discuss, and often agree to disagree. Though not on the fundimentals.

I am a facts are neither good nor bad, they are merely facts guy.  I then use the facts as the foundation and framework of my position/opinions on a topic.  It works for me.  Any tension usually comes in when I am standing on the facts and discussing those facts rather than feelings someone may have regardng the facts. 

As for the SParent specific 3rd rail. If the spawn are well behaved and reasonable, I will happily engage with them reasonably. If they are not.... then I am their worst nightmare and the worst nighmare of their failed parent(s).

KISS.  Works for me.

Be reasonable, I will treat you reasonably.  Either way you choose, that.. is entirely on you. Or in the words of the world renowned Bar Bouncer Dalton (Road House), "Be nice. Until it is time to not be nice."

Pardon

la_dulce_vida's picture

Our political viewpoints are very similar. Thank you for writing it out so eloquently.

I would call myself a fiscal conservative, too. On social issues, I think everyone needs to mind their own business when it comes to abortion, pot and who people love. Stay out of everyone's private business. Live and let live.

My son collects SSI due to his Autism - we are so grateful for that. I see so many European countries struggling with the social supports they provide, so I know it's not a perfect system and is often unsustainable.

Where I'm struggling as a Libertarian is that while I think people should be able to earn as much as they can (be as rich as they like), more and more I'm not loving so many billionaires getting filthy stinking rich while their employees are struggling to survive, being overworked and prevented from unionizing.

So I'm not a "true" Libertarian, I suppose.

Still, my partner lumps me in with the most fundamental, extremist elements of conservatism. It's bothersome.

Rags's picture

I would call myself a fiscal conservative, too. On social issues, I think everyone needs to mind their own business when it comes to abortion, pot and who people love. Stay out of everyone's private business. Live and let live.

Wink

While I understand the issues with wealth Vs ... not.  Every society throughout history and every country today  has its 1%ers.  And though it is not the 1%ers that employ the greatest numbers of people. They do employ countless millions.  Small businesses collectively employ  more people. However, many of the 1%ers started as small business owners.  So, I do not begrudge the 1%ers the fruits of their labor or their entrepreneurial commitment/success. To have the top 50%, there has to be the top 1%.

Regarding preventing unionization.  Right to work states  allow full unionization. Those laws just prevent that workers be forced to be part of the union if they do not choose to be part of a union  and they are not forced to join a union or pay union dues to have a job at an employer within that State.

I do a lot of reading on these things. Generally, I am a free market economy proponant. Though there are some things where I am not.

When anyone meddles in areas where they do not belong (primarily when Gov't meddles) the law of unintended consquenes will always collect it's due.  That collection is never cheap.

IMHO and experience anyway.

CajunMom's picture

if he ever pulled this crap on me and especially with his kids. Even with his friends. Your DH is violating all kinds of boundaries by having these types of discussion with his daughter. Today, I follow a strict policy..I don't discuss politics or religion with people who want to be combative and not open to hearing other sides. I am registered NO PARTY. I fall more into the Libertarian catagory....financially conservative and liberal in social issues. And I follow Christianity as my faith.  I'm all about learning from others but I am NOT going to "fight" and "argue" about someone's stance on a subject.

I would not stand by and let this continue. Your DH needs to know how this is affecting his relationship with you and it needs to STOP. I am furious for you. Everyone has the right to their beliefs and as a spouse, he is being a total asshole jerk for behaving as such towards you. 

 

Rags's picture

I have never been or do I intend to ever be a registered member of any political party.

While I do tend to vote centrist/Right, I have also voted for centrist/Left candidates and ballot initiatives.  

If a candidate is running uncontested and their policies are reasonable, I vote for them. They took the initiative to run. They get my vote.  Unless they have dangerous positions on key issues.  Then, I write in a candidate if that is an option.  I have seen one election where the only candidate did not get the majority of the votes.  Which was interesting.  Write ins got more votes than the stated candidate.

Survivingstephell's picture

SD found her key to unlock the drama and bond with dear old dad.  Now he's badmouthing you and your thoughts to her.  What a skid win!  Every skid's dream!   
 

I'd cut the man off and remind him who his wife is.  I think this is more about SD and getting that attention from her than politics.  Although I totally get the high level of annoyance with him.  

MorningMia's picture

Oh, this is awful. Like you say, not because people aren't allowed to disagree, but because it's not even about the politics IMO; it's about her control. One of the big issues with DH's ex and skids way back was that they as a one-time unit believed they all needed to march in lockstep. . . forever: They were to say the same words (repeating "AWESOME" ad nauseum was one; now it's "journey". . . everything is a freaking journey); have the same spiritual beliefs (theirs are fanatical); like the same sports teams; and, yes, have the exact same (conspiratorial) political views. No one is "allowed" to think differently (SS does now, but pretends around his mommy and sis). As DH more vocally pulled away from all of their rules, that was blamed on me. Suddenly, I was controlling him (a bit of projection there, right?) and he was rejecting them. Ludicrous! 

As has been mentioned, your husband needs to set some boundaries with "mini-wife." And he needs to be de-programmed, although I'm not sure how one goes about doing that. Good luck. 

 

Merry's picture

Nothing wrong with differing political views. It can be healthy with thoughtful discussion. The problem comes when the belittling, name calling, and badmouthing starts. Unfortunately that is too common in the current climate.

What you have is a mini-wife. She and your DH are "bonding" by engaging in this cruelty, setting up a them-against-you situation. Is that how someone who supposedly loves you acts?

I'm appalled that he thinks it's ok, for any reason, to speak unkindly about his wife.