Big smile with Trump winning the presidency. Good for Jews and for the world, especially Israel, and the prospect for a return to the peace that existed prior to 10/7/2023, an expansion of peace treaties with neighboring Muslim nations.
No more withholding of munitions from Israel while they face a multi-front war for survival. There is good reason why Israelis strongly favored Trump over Harris. We came through for them in this election.
I have worked very, very hard on this myself, but and I hate to say this because it is a subjective opinion, my friends and acquaintances, who are most extremely liberal seem most easily swayed by every bit of misinformation and outright lies that come from their liberal pundits. I don’t really have any way to correct this. The best technique I have is to remind myself that many years ago, when I was young, idealistic, and naïve, I too was a liberal. And a diehard one. I’m also reminded of a beautiful short story told by Ronald Reagan, about a guy who is selling kittens in front of the Democratic Party convention, For $10 apiece, the next month he was selling the very same kittens in front of the Republican convention, but he was selling them for $20 each. A reporter came along and said why the heck did you double the price of your kittens a short time later? The vendor replied, because now they have their eyes open. Of course it went over much better whenit was told by the great Communicator himself.
What’s the quote, if you’re young and conservative you have no heart, if you’re older and liberal you have no brain. I forget who said it and probably not helpful rhetoric in the context of this column 😉
I am of the opinion that we really do not have to “sort things out” by continuing political debates or political discussions around the Thanksgiving Table.
It is my opinion that we should love those people who opposed us and easily grant them the freedom to stand where they think is right and good for them and the country, I voted for Trump because I sincerely think he was the best choice.
My friends who voted against Trump by voting for Harris did so because they sincerely believed that Trump was a conman, a crook, a fascist, a Nazi, a convicted felon, a rapist and a womanizer etc.
Even thought I did not and do not believe that any of those claims about him are true, I can at least imagine how I would have voted if I sincerely believed those things about him. With that understanding I can at least accept the idea that these people who opposed my position were doing so on the basis of a sincerely help opinion of President Trump. Even tough it is difficult for me to grasp why they dared not to consider the positive achievements of his administration, I still must grasp the reality of how any honest person would feel if they believed all the bad things said a lot him.
With this knowledge, I can appreciate that my friends and family are more important than whether I agree with their voting..
I’m hearing comments that Trump is forming a military force to punish anyone who disagrees with him. This fighting force will be dispatched at will to attack anyone in the US.
I’m also hearing that he will end Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid .
These comments are presented as known facts by people who are educated, 50+, and otherwise conduct themselves as good citizens.
This strikes me as aberrant. My response has been silence since discussing the more rational side(s) of this seem pointless.
There’s a lot of bad information. Try to ask for primary sources so you can discuss the actual content and not second hand info. It’s not easy, sometimes you hit a wall and just need to agree not to discuss politics with certain people.
FWIW, a liberal neighbor here in liberal Fairfax county, Virginia, just told me that Trump intends to abolish Social Security. So natch, I asked her for her source. Her reply was that Trump said that he's going to abolish the tax on Social Security income. Okay, I bit, how does that imply abolishing Social Security, I inquired. "You have to read between lines; he speaks in code" she replied. In her liberal mind, when Trump says he's going to abolish the tax on social security income, that's secret code for abolishing Social Security altogether. And, the person who said that is a highly educated professional person. Go figure.
Oh wow. That’s almost funny. I don’t think he’s going to abolish social security tax lol. He’s a populist. He’s never going to abolish social security.
Great post! Thank you Jason. I have written two lengthy post-election pieces and yet I am still trying to suss out how I feel and how I move forward with friends and family.
Anger is natural reaction. It is best to use that energy to be productive. I definitely agree that it should not be used to try to fix people that are scared because their blanket and pacifier were jerked away and the lights were turned on.
I will simply state my goals for the winners is to hold them accountable for meeting their stated objectives. and. Feel free to prosecute the people who have far exceeded their authority and persecuted american citizens with perverse twisting of the law and the positions of power they are not fit to occupy.
I don’t get it either, and I don’t want to jump into the proverbial snake pit here. I’m going to ask someone from our community to write a few paragraphs why they voted for Harris and I’d like to respond it. They can respond to my response and happy to have them get the last word on it, but I would also like to better understand the thought process. If anyone is a writer and voted for Harris who’s interested in that format, please DM me.
Wonderful list. We can focus on our Jewish commonality. Number 6 could be Don’t gloat. My candidate won but gloating is not a good look. It’s also not a Jewish virtue.
I’ve been using rule #1 with my Jewish, progressive, true believer cousins for over 5 years. I know I’m breaking Rule #4 by retitling the article, “How to deal with useful idiot relations, while keeping your composure”.
We can only the best we can one day a time :) It won’t be a linear journey to accepting people on the other side of the aisle for anyone. If you’re trying at all, you’re already ahead of the game!
It is unlikely that many of those who voted for Trump should not mind if someone has a criminal record for sexual assault and fraud of an extraordinary amount, and more of this. They still voted for the guy for other reasons.-- --
It is also unlikely that everyone who did not vote for the "Democrats" should therefore be against so-called "Palestinians", misguided parts of "woke" people or Rashida Tlaib, and for the Jews´and Israel's unconditional right to self-determination and -defense.
Democracy is somewhat more "complicated", so it´s no wonder that reactions will be "complicated", too. At the same time, "discussions" appear as widely "un-complicated", poor, simplistic and undifferentiated.
Most of the discussing to my experience repeat habits seen as "typically political" : they "defend" their position, they "fight" instead of listening carefully - which should be one of the prerequisites of "democratic" mentality -, especially they´re not being honest and refuse a discussion going more profoundly and deeper, because there´s the "danger" that the contradictions and left-outs of their own "arguments" might get revealed.
That´s how&what "we" learned from so-called "Social Networks".
By avoiding to perceive what you "are" and how you "argue" and what might be underexposed there, you are not able to perceive your "opposite".
If any message can be found in this election is the hope of reconciliation is unrealistic. Trump promised chaos and destruction and a majority of Americans were not in the mood for peace and reconciliation. The status quo is not working for most of us, we're mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. Disruption is a feature not a flaw of majority sentiment and it is shared worldwide.
Politics is not the problem and best avoided until clarity of the dynamics fueling the divide is determined. "Something is rotten in America" and there is no consensus as to what is dead and decaying. Fear is contagious and we cannot hope to reconcile until we take the time for introspection and self-care before attempting to reach out to the opposition. Too soon, too soon.
A majority of Americans chose vengeance and despair and that is the current reality. Gestalt psychologist Fritz Perls observed: "Nothing changes until it becomes what it truly is." The "fog of war" is still too thick for any clarity as to the source of this anger and despair. Arguing politics just adds to the confusion and panic. We are all about to discover what this nation has become and what it truly is.
I have no definitive answer about the underlying dynamics but what has been billed as a class struggle between the working class and the tech elites. On the surface, this is probably so, but the real problem is social not technical. Technology now is expanding exponentially while our social structure can only move incrementally. Disruptive technology stresses our existing economic and social structures and that stress is felt personally. No matter what class we inhabit, we all spend more time staring at our screens than we do looking into the eyes of our family and neighbors.
More tech and AI is not the solution yet we pay more collective attention to a new bright shiny tech gadget than to the suffering and despair of our population. Honest work used to give our lives and struggles meaning. How do we define and value ourselves if that work is outsourced or automated? Even our mere existence disturbs the carbon footprint of the planet endangering not only ourselves but our children's futures. What option is left other than despair? Let's discuss that first and the political solution will appear obvious.
One thing is telling for sure, that both candidates talked very little about the environment this cycle. Whether you believe in global warming being caused by humans or not, we should all want clean air and water and healthy food, and I was surprised how little environmental concerns were talked about by both parties.
There is a deep despair on the consequences of climate change and adding that to the pile of economic and social problems would have broken the camel's back. Realistically addressing climate change would require a broad coalition of powers. That does not exist in the U.S. today and sadly throughout the world. The average citizen feels helpless and horrified at what is happening which only adds to our already considerable misery.
Already lost most of my IRL friends over the jibbity jab jab. My internet synchronistic mystic friends are cool, though. Buy my book "Top 40 Honeypot" about crime, corruption, and occult in 1970's radio - years before Diddy. (sorry, not sorry, about shameless self promotion.)
Also, spouse and I are on the same political page. Family doesn't discuss except for some teasing. Spouse's business clients are tradesmen and engineers and they all vote red.
Everything is a bloody distraction from OUR reality..... fiercely we MUST voice the mortal enemies of Israel & We JEWS. The hell with everything else! Why is noone outraged at what is going on against us.
Amalek be damned. Be fearless in a world thar will NEVER love or protect Jews.
💪💪💪. And do not under any circumstances let the antisemite haASSES get off the hook for being naziscum.
It’s all about love… viewing everyone from the Work of the Cross, rather than all the stuff. There’s something of God in every person. And we are not perfect.
I once dreamt I entered my daughter-in-law’s mother’s home. She is a gifted hairstylist in high demand and very talented. The beauty of her life is everywhere. When entering her bathroom I noticed her shower curtain was hanging from the side of the curtain with clips, and the top, bearing the holes, was down the side. Well…I thought “everyone knows this is wrong” …and it could be probably argued in a court of law to the fact… I actually wanted to fix it for her because, after all, it was wrongly hung. However, upon waking, the Lord quickly spoke to me and said “It wasn’t wrong…it was different.” 😳 we are not the same. Not one of us. There’s so much that has formed and shaped our perspectives… the way we see things…the way we say things… and though but different we be…we are each fashioned in the image of God. We are to love… considering others better than ourselves. Love is the only thing that will change this culture deeply. Real love. God’s love. The Love that, though beaten to the point of no longer resembling a man, says “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” Love that humbled itself laying its life down for others.
Big smile with Trump winning the presidency. Good for Jews and for the world, especially Israel, and the prospect for a return to the peace that existed prior to 10/7/2023, an expansion of peace treaties with neighboring Muslim nations.
I’m cautiously optimistic :)
No more withholding of munitions from Israel while they face a multi-front war for survival. There is good reason why Israelis strongly favored Trump over Harris. We came through for them in this election.
me smokum' peace - what a joke!
1 STATE 🇮🇱.
We are really utterly on our own in a world comfortable with Jew hatred.
Noone has to love us-
WE MUST SURVIVE AND NOT BE DISTRACTED with bs.
Screw that.
We are done with the hellscape.
G-D WILL end this crap once and for all.
Anyone claiming to be Jewish and hating on us is cursed, brainwashed, sick.
I have worked very, very hard on this myself, but and I hate to say this because it is a subjective opinion, my friends and acquaintances, who are most extremely liberal seem most easily swayed by every bit of misinformation and outright lies that come from their liberal pundits. I don’t really have any way to correct this. The best technique I have is to remind myself that many years ago, when I was young, idealistic, and naïve, I too was a liberal. And a diehard one. I’m also reminded of a beautiful short story told by Ronald Reagan, about a guy who is selling kittens in front of the Democratic Party convention, For $10 apiece, the next month he was selling the very same kittens in front of the Republican convention, but he was selling them for $20 each. A reporter came along and said why the heck did you double the price of your kittens a short time later? The vendor replied, because now they have their eyes open. Of course it went over much better whenit was told by the great Communicator himself.
What’s the quote, if you’re young and conservative you have no heart, if you’re older and liberal you have no brain. I forget who said it and probably not helpful rhetoric in the context of this column 😉
I am of the opinion that we really do not have to “sort things out” by continuing political debates or political discussions around the Thanksgiving Table.
It is my opinion that we should love those people who opposed us and easily grant them the freedom to stand where they think is right and good for them and the country, I voted for Trump because I sincerely think he was the best choice.
My friends who voted against Trump by voting for Harris did so because they sincerely believed that Trump was a conman, a crook, a fascist, a Nazi, a convicted felon, a rapist and a womanizer etc.
Even thought I did not and do not believe that any of those claims about him are true, I can at least imagine how I would have voted if I sincerely believed those things about him. With that understanding I can at least accept the idea that these people who opposed my position were doing so on the basis of a sincerely help opinion of President Trump. Even tough it is difficult for me to grasp why they dared not to consider the positive achievements of his administration, I still must grasp the reality of how any honest person would feel if they believed all the bad things said a lot him.
With this knowledge, I can appreciate that my friends and family are more important than whether I agree with their voting..
Well said Lee
Thanks, Jason!
We will NEVER FORGET.
I’m hearing comments that Trump is forming a military force to punish anyone who disagrees with him. This fighting force will be dispatched at will to attack anyone in the US.
I’m also hearing that he will end Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid .
These comments are presented as known facts by people who are educated, 50+, and otherwise conduct themselves as good citizens.
This strikes me as aberrant. My response has been silence since discussing the more rational side(s) of this seem pointless.
Any suggestions?
Just wait. When it doesn’t happen they will pretend they never said it. Don’t engage with this level of delusion
There’s a lot of bad information. Try to ask for primary sources so you can discuss the actual content and not second hand info. It’s not easy, sometimes you hit a wall and just need to agree not to discuss politics with certain people.
I wouldn’t discuss with anyone so deranged. Trump has a lot of negatives but gross exaggeration is just dumb.
FWIW, a liberal neighbor here in liberal Fairfax county, Virginia, just told me that Trump intends to abolish Social Security. So natch, I asked her for her source. Her reply was that Trump said that he's going to abolish the tax on Social Security income. Okay, I bit, how does that imply abolishing Social Security, I inquired. "You have to read between lines; he speaks in code" she replied. In her liberal mind, when Trump says he's going to abolish the tax on social security income, that's secret code for abolishing Social Security altogether. And, the person who said that is a highly educated professional person. Go figure.
Oh wow. That’s almost funny. I don’t think he’s going to abolish social security tax lol. He’s a populist. He’s never going to abolish social security.
Great post! Thank you Jason. I have written two lengthy post-election pieces and yet I am still trying to suss out how I feel and how I move forward with friends and family.
When you figure it out, come back and let us know how you did it :)
Seems there are many posts to come :-))) Thanks for joining my journey. 💙💙💙Love from Israel!
Well done! Thank you for well thought out options!
Anger is natural reaction. It is best to use that energy to be productive. I definitely agree that it should not be used to try to fix people that are scared because their blanket and pacifier were jerked away and the lights were turned on.
I will simply state my goals for the winners is to hold them accountable for meeting their stated objectives. and. Feel free to prosecute the people who have far exceeded their authority and persecuted american citizens with perverse twisting of the law and the positions of power they are not fit to occupy.
Living in Brazil, wich is an extremely polarized country , I can understand you very weli ,
What I can not understand is how can a Jew vote Democrat .
I don’t get it either, and I don’t want to jump into the proverbial snake pit here. I’m going to ask someone from our community to write a few paragraphs why they voted for Harris and I’d like to respond it. They can respond to my response and happy to have them get the last word on it, but I would also like to better understand the thought process. If anyone is a writer and voted for Harris who’s interested in that format, please DM me.
Wonderful list. We can focus on our Jewish commonality. Number 6 could be Don’t gloat. My candidate won but gloating is not a good look. It’s also not a Jewish virtue.
Great advice.
Here’s an interesting link for people interested in learning more about it.
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/humility-in-judaism/
I’ve been using rule #1 with my Jewish, progressive, true believer cousins for over 5 years. I know I’m breaking Rule #4 by retitling the article, “How to deal with useful idiot relations, while keeping your composure”.
We can only the best we can one day a time :) It won’t be a linear journey to accepting people on the other side of the aisle for anyone. If you’re trying at all, you’re already ahead of the game!
It is unlikely that many of those who voted for Trump should not mind if someone has a criminal record for sexual assault and fraud of an extraordinary amount, and more of this. They still voted for the guy for other reasons.-- --
It is also unlikely that everyone who did not vote for the "Democrats" should therefore be against so-called "Palestinians", misguided parts of "woke" people or Rashida Tlaib, and for the Jews´and Israel's unconditional right to self-determination and -defense.
Democracy is somewhat more "complicated", so it´s no wonder that reactions will be "complicated", too. At the same time, "discussions" appear as widely "un-complicated", poor, simplistic and undifferentiated.
Most of the discussing to my experience repeat habits seen as "typically political" : they "defend" their position, they "fight" instead of listening carefully - which should be one of the prerequisites of "democratic" mentality -, especially they´re not being honest and refuse a discussion going more profoundly and deeper, because there´s the "danger" that the contradictions and left-outs of their own "arguments" might get revealed.
That´s how&what "we" learned from so-called "Social Networks".
By avoiding to perceive what you "are" and how you "argue" and what might be underexposed there, you are not able to perceive your "opposite".
I agree doc, it’s easy to try to put people in boxes based on one piece of information, but the truth is always more complicated.
If any message can be found in this election is the hope of reconciliation is unrealistic. Trump promised chaos and destruction and a majority of Americans were not in the mood for peace and reconciliation. The status quo is not working for most of us, we're mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. Disruption is a feature not a flaw of majority sentiment and it is shared worldwide.
Politics is not the problem and best avoided until clarity of the dynamics fueling the divide is determined. "Something is rotten in America" and there is no consensus as to what is dead and decaying. Fear is contagious and we cannot hope to reconcile until we take the time for introspection and self-care before attempting to reach out to the opposition. Too soon, too soon.
A majority of Americans chose vengeance and despair and that is the current reality. Gestalt psychologist Fritz Perls observed: "Nothing changes until it becomes what it truly is." The "fog of war" is still too thick for any clarity as to the source of this anger and despair. Arguing politics just adds to the confusion and panic. We are all about to discover what this nation has become and what it truly is.
I have no definitive answer about the underlying dynamics but what has been billed as a class struggle between the working class and the tech elites. On the surface, this is probably so, but the real problem is social not technical. Technology now is expanding exponentially while our social structure can only move incrementally. Disruptive technology stresses our existing economic and social structures and that stress is felt personally. No matter what class we inhabit, we all spend more time staring at our screens than we do looking into the eyes of our family and neighbors.
More tech and AI is not the solution yet we pay more collective attention to a new bright shiny tech gadget than to the suffering and despair of our population. Honest work used to give our lives and struggles meaning. How do we define and value ourselves if that work is outsourced or automated? Even our mere existence disturbs the carbon footprint of the planet endangering not only ourselves but our children's futures. What option is left other than despair? Let's discuss that first and the political solution will appear obvious.
https://johnhardman.substack.com/p/megatons-of-technology
One thing is telling for sure, that both candidates talked very little about the environment this cycle. Whether you believe in global warming being caused by humans or not, we should all want clean air and water and healthy food, and I was surprised how little environmental concerns were talked about by both parties.
There is a deep despair on the consequences of climate change and adding that to the pile of economic and social problems would have broken the camel's back. Realistically addressing climate change would require a broad coalition of powers. That does not exist in the U.S. today and sadly throughout the world. The average citizen feels helpless and horrified at what is happening which only adds to our already considerable misery.
Already lost most of my IRL friends over the jibbity jab jab. My internet synchronistic mystic friends are cool, though. Buy my book "Top 40 Honeypot" about crime, corruption, and occult in 1970's radio - years before Diddy. (sorry, not sorry, about shameless self promotion.)
Also, spouse and I are on the same political page. Family doesn't discuss except for some teasing. Spouse's business clients are tradesmen and engineers and they all vote red.
Thank G-D and know there is The Highest Court in session.
🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱
Everything is a bloody distraction from OUR reality..... fiercely we MUST voice the mortal enemies of Israel & We JEWS. The hell with everything else! Why is noone outraged at what is going on against us.
Amalek be damned. Be fearless in a world thar will NEVER love or protect Jews.
💪💪💪. And do not under any circumstances let the antisemite haASSES get off the hook for being naziscum.
WE ARE WARRIORS AGAINST
BASTARDS.
It’s all about love… viewing everyone from the Work of the Cross, rather than all the stuff. There’s something of God in every person. And we are not perfect.
I once dreamt I entered my daughter-in-law’s mother’s home. She is a gifted hairstylist in high demand and very talented. The beauty of her life is everywhere. When entering her bathroom I noticed her shower curtain was hanging from the side of the curtain with clips, and the top, bearing the holes, was down the side. Well…I thought “everyone knows this is wrong” …and it could be probably argued in a court of law to the fact… I actually wanted to fix it for her because, after all, it was wrongly hung. However, upon waking, the Lord quickly spoke to me and said “It wasn’t wrong…it was different.” 😳 we are not the same. Not one of us. There’s so much that has formed and shaped our perspectives… the way we see things…the way we say things… and though but different we be…we are each fashioned in the image of God. We are to love… considering others better than ourselves. Love is the only thing that will change this culture deeply. Real love. God’s love. The Love that, though beaten to the point of no longer resembling a man, says “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” Love that humbled itself laying its life down for others.