THOMPSON: Time to say good riddance to MAGA Republican friends

We all know this guy…whether American or Canadian…and sometimes, well…maybe we’d be better off not knowing them. Oh, some might say, be the bigger person…how bad could it be? 

Well, this guy I need to lose…put in my past…is a pain. If you don’t need to live with pain…why would you? He’s always been more acquaintance than friend in the eight years I’ve known him.

He is a Republican…but that in itself is not the problem. I’ve had more than a few Republican friends…and until Trump’s MAGA cult…most were intelligent and even reasonable.

What is a problem is his total disregard for facts…truths…when it comes to politics. Don’t get me wrong…everyone is entitled to their opinions…but no one is entitled to their own facts. He is an idealogue.

Oh, like most folks my acquaintance has some good qualities…but they are few enough and are outshone by a pernicious aspect of his personality that comes boiling to the surface when facts don’t match his political narrative…which is most times. 

His sarcastic retorts to any criticism of Trump or MAGA Republicans, or if someone has the gall to say, for example, that racism and discrimination of people of colour exist today…or ever existed in America. His sarcasm and arrogance are present all times…on most topics but they’re particularly offensive when he talks politics.

He loves Trump…and the way Republicans are twisting the U.S. Constitution, elections and courts to stay in power…and take care of themselves at everyone else’s expense. Republicans and only Republicans…in his mind…should decide everyone’s future.

The last election was a mandate for Republicans to do as they wish, according to this guy. Rather than compromise and solve problems America faces…he believes that a narrow 1.5 percentage point non-majority margin is license to do as Republicans wish. Not entirely how democracy works. 

Dictatorship, he must believe, should have its turn…because he and other Republicans know they would otherwise lose most future free elections in the U.S. The numbers are against them…pure and simple. That’s why Republicans lie about immigrants…trying to paint them all as criminals…even if they’re U.S. citizens.

This guy knows all that…that’s why he’s not just willing to look the other way…he’ll do anything to help Republicans stay in power. How can you trust folks who believe MAGA nonsense to not lie, cheat, steal…do anything…to keep those they hate under their thumbs?

This guy – like most Trumpists – isn’t brave. He is a small man…not just in stature…but in his thoughts and actions. He avoids face-to-face debate with people who love democracies…who recognize facts and truths…fearing, perhaps, he would lose?

Rather, like so many Trump MAGA Republicans…he attacks Democrats and Liberals and “leftists” on social media. When he reads something that he disagrees with he makes snide, sarcastic comments. Again, the facts aren’t on his side…so he simply avoids them. Ad hominem abusive remarks are his weapon of choice.

You’re not automatically a white supremacist if you’re a MAGA Republican, of course, but most white supremacists are, indeed, MAGA Republicans. So, the MAGA cult trades on fear…scaring white folks with the argument that people of colour will get even in a democracy…taking your freedoms. Of course, that’s Republicans thinking…like Republicans. Retribution is in their DNA.

It’s not like the jury is still out on most public issues in America…almost everything is worse today for most Americans since Trump and MAGA Republicans have been in power…just ten months. And yet, my guy, well, he just doesn’t trust the facts. 

The economy shows weakening retail sales, housing starts are the lowest in five years, and an unhinged immigration crackdown has tightened the labour market. Economists, for example, expected 150,000 new jobs in July…there were only 73,000. In August, they hoped for 75,000 new jobs…they got 22,000. September saw a gain of 119,000 jobs, only to lose 105,000 in October.

Every economist not on the Republican dole knows Trump’s tariffs are an awful drag on the economy. But Trump…and every Republican in the administration…have said, “No, tariffs are good.” The needle on the bullshit meter is pegging as far right as it can go.

All those things Trump lied about…cheaper groceries, less inflation, more jobs, lower cost healthcare…none is true. My guy in Florida never broaches those subjects directly.

Trump and MAGA Republicans have virtually no solutions to most American problems…not healthcare, not immigration, not the economy. Trump spends most of his days targeting countries and people he doesn’t like in a war of retribution. Republicans in Congress…nothing more than Trump lap dogs.

My guy in Florida…like most MAGA cult members…never brings up the countless Republican violations of both laws and the U.S. Constitution. He doesn’t admit gerrymandering or voter suppression even exists. He simply attacks anyone using facts…deflecting truth with more lies. That, of course, is the Republican playbook. 

He – like every MAGA Republican I know – doesn’t love America…as a true democracy. The more than 7 million folks across America who protested during the “No Kings” rallies in October…are the enemy in the eyes of my Florida guy and the entire Trump cult.

When I posted a photo and comment on Facebook about attending the “No Kings” protest the day after arriving in Florida last month, more than 50 people commented favourably. These protests are about Trump’s corruption, abusing the rule of law and ending democracy in favour of dictatorship.

My Florida guy, however, countered with this post:

“So… this is like a giant temper tantrum for leftists losing the election. Got it. You win some, you lose some. Democracy! Hint…mommy isn’t coming to the rescue.” Yeah, the sarcasm is palpable.

All of this gets to my original point…you have to say good riddance to people who choose fiction over fact…especially when their only responses to truths are sarcastic retorts, wiseass remarks…and yet more lies.

Maya Angelou said it best, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” I didn’t…it took me years of tolerating this guy…before finally admitting that he can never be a friend. Last week – after a couple more sarcastic, insulting comments on my Facebook posts – I decided it was time to accept this guy for what he is…and move on.

I know it was the right decision, too…because I felt good about it as soon as I made it…and every moment since. Sometimes, unknowing someone is the very best thing you can do.