Sad to say, but a family member (more than one actually, but this post concerns one) is still not over the results of the 2024 election. Meaning, not over Trump. I have tried over the years to maintain relations with my nieces and nephews (except for one with whom I have had no relationship, perhaps unrelated to this topic) by periodically texting and talking. Either just to say "hi, how are you," or to wish a happy birthday, or whatever the case may be.
Recently, to one such relative, my texts were going unanswered. So I asked what the problem was. The reply was rather shocking - I was asked if I am still MAGA, and a true Trump supporter. Am I MAGA? I've voted for Trump three times, yet I've never thought of myself as MAGA. My self-identity is not tied to any particular politician or party. I have my beliefs, mostly conservative, and that's that. If I voted for Trump three times (again, I did) but also have criticized him, am I MAGA anyway?
Am I a true Trump supporter? I do support Trump. But, again, I've also criticized Trump. So, have I been kicked out of the true Trump supporters club? I just don't think of myself in those terms. But these comments made me remember one time when I was in court when Obama was President. I was complaining to another attorney that, contrary to Obama's promises about the ACA/Obamacare, we did not get to keep our insurance policy, and just staying with the same company with a different policy would cost us an additional $2400 a month. I then added "Obama lied."
The reaction was quite visceral. It was as if I had accused that attorney of lying to me, rather than saying Obama lied. He yelled: "Don't say that about my President." He was really saying "Don't say that about me." But why? Why is it personal to some people when their side is criticized, or disagreed with? Why do people react like this? I've had people say horrible things about Trump, to me. I may not like it (I usually don't). but it's about Trump. Trump is not me.
Here is my analysis. Some people have so internalized their worldview/weltanschauung that any criticism of their side is taken as a personal affront to them. Their self identity is wrapped up in their worldview. The two are inseparable. Which would account for this family member telling me that it's not just a difference of opinion, it's personal. Which also explains why it is impossible to have an intellectual discussion of issues with someone like that, because if you disagree with them, you are attacking them, and then it's all emotions. It's personal. A very bright friend from college noticed this, and said to me some 54 years ago, that if you challenge some people's worldview, their fundamental assumptions about the world, you may very well get a violent reaction.
This exchange with this family member also brought to mind a quote from my post "Classical Liberalism," coincidentally posted exactly nine years ago today, on July 17, 2016. In that post, I discuss the classical liberal treatise written by John Stuart Mill, "On Liberty." With regards to speech, Mill wrote this: "If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind."
Unfortunately, so many of today's Democrats are no longer classical liberals. They are Leftists, and we know that Leftists can brook no dissent.
