Customer (white male) today asked what I think of Trump

[live love laugh]

I evaded the question saying that I simply pray for the country daily. He said that he hates him because of his lack of integrity and character and that he couldn’t believe close relatives voted for him. He also mentioned the Biden deflection and how Trumpco is stealing all they can. He left saying he wished he had time to say more but ANYBODY would be better than Trump.

That parting message was disturbing. Another RepubLIEcon is no better than Trump. They’re one and the same.

[RockRaven]

1. The solace to take from that parting message is that this guy and like-minded people

will really only encounter the "Trump or someone else?" question in one place that matters: the general election POTUS ballot. No challenger will have any traction in the Repuke primary, and in some states there may not even be a competing name on the ballot at all.

It's not ideal of course, because that attitude leaves the door open to voting for down-ballot GrOPers, but if everyone believed like this guy, at minimum the Dem nominee would become POTUS.

[struggle4progress]

2. I think "Vote for X! He's not as corrupt as Trump!" is a good slogan for GOP candidates

[jcmaine72]

4. I avoid any/all political discussion at work like the plague.

Even with co-workers whom I know share my beliefs. You never know who is listening. Who might take something the wrong way. It's not worth any potential problems.

[ZZenith]

5. That seems a very ineffective way to live.

I am grateful that so many before us have not chosen that path.

[jcmaine72]

6. No, it isn't.

Losing my job and not being able to feed my family is by far the most ineffective way I can live, but thanks for your concern.

[ZZenith]

8. I pity you.

[jcmaine72]

9. Save your pity for yourself.

I place my family and livelihood above childish disputes at work that could cost me both. My priorities are fine, are yours?

[ZZenith]

10. Your employer fires people for their political opinions, do they?

[jcmaine72]

12. Nope.

He fires arrogant, shiftless know-it-alls who stand around all day arguing politics instead of doing their jobs.

[ZZenith]

13. That's a far cry from never talking about politics at all.

Do you get lunch breaks, even?

[jcmaine72]

15. Yeah. Wanna know what I do with those?

I eat my lunch.

I'm done here.

[ZZenith]

18. Your silence will no longer protect you, but I wish you well.

[jcmaine72]

19. Protect me from whom?

Do you even have a job? Or mouths to feed? Quite frankly, and I mean no disrespect to you, but you sound like someone who doesn't have either. If you did, you wouldn't even be questioning this, let alone in such a high-handed manner that shows an almost complete disconnect from the lives regular working people with families live.

But, whatever. You have a great night.

[ZZenith]

21. Yes, I have the same responsibilities that you have.

What I don’t do is come on here and try to dissuade people from speaking their minds because “you never know who’s listening.”

Fuck that.

[jcmaine72]

22. Is that what I did? Re-read what I wrote. It's obvious I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from doing

anything, but was simply sharing what I choose to do personally, and how I'm required to comport myself at my job. If anything, you were the one here judgmentally wagging a finger trying to dissuade me ("Your silence will no longer protect you"...really??). Anyone following the logic of this exchange will see that clearly.

For the record, you can do and say anything you want, or don't want, at your job or anywhere else you choose. Just try to remember to extend that same courtesy to others.

[ZZenith]

23. I read what you wrote several times before responding.

Your intent seemed to be quite clearly to caution people against speaking their minds with their co-workers about the peril in which we find ourselves. If you are in a position where even a whiff of political discussion will cause your termination and the ruin of your family as you have claimed, then I do indeed pity you.

[jcmaine72]

24. Of course, because when I wrote "*I* avoid all political discussion at work" that

clearly means I want to "dissuade" everyone else from speaking their minds.

Tell me, what did you mean by this statement: "Your silence will no longer protect you"? Sounds to me like you're trying to do exactly what you're accusing me of doing.

[ZZenith]

25. No, I am trying to persuade you to speak out loudly and clearly.

”You never know who is listening. Who might take something the wrong way. It's not worth any potential problems.”

Said the good Germans in the thirties.

If your coworkers are not keenly aware that you are opposed to our descent into Fascism your silence is complicity. It’s time to make a ruckus. For your children’s sake. For everyone’s sake.

Coming on here and telling us how fearful you are to speak out helps us how, exactly?

[jcmaine72]

28. Fearful? Now you're putting words in my mouth.

Most ridiculous and positively asinine of all, you equate my desire to retain my job and feed my family by avoiding petty arguments over bullshit at work with the Nazis. You can't be for real.

[ZZenith]

34. I quoted you verbatim.

You are fearful. You told us so yourself.

[jcmaine72]

35. No, you didn't.

Unless you don't know what verbatim means.

At any rate, I'm done arguing with you. I should've stopped after you wrote "I pity you" (BTW, that's a verbatim quote, just I'm case you were wondering) for simply doing my job, feeding my family, paying my bills, following my employers wishes and rules, and not using the rest of the world as my own personal political soapbox. If you can't understand why anyone would do any of those things you're not a reasonable person, and there's absolutely nothing left to discuss.

Goodbye.

[ZZenith]

36. What I don't understand is why you would come on here and tell us you don't discuss politics at work

for fear of being fired unless you wanted others to share your fear.

I’m sure you have your reasons.

[Duppers]

11. "Childish disputes"? 😲

Then you offer no opinions on anything at work for fear of offending.

I worked in sales and lost customers because I gave them my honest opinion on a variety of subjects. Most people, even rethugian neighbors know where I stand. It's that important to me.

[jcmaine72]

14. My job is different. It's safety sensitive.

I need to concentrate on what I'm doing instead yapping about politics, the weather, or sports. I keep my political opinions to myself as a matter of course. My job is my bread and butter. I have people who depend on me and wouldn't risk it for anything. Why anyone here would take umbrage with that, or find that pitying, is downright bizarre to me.

First family, then work, then everything else from A-Z. If that sounds so outrageously far-fetched to you then we have nothing more to discuss.

[Duppers]

16. No, as it should be but don't relegate...

A subject as important as the FUTURE of our very DEMOCRACY to "Childish disputes".

TY.

[jcmaine72]

17. My daily responsibility to my family is more important to me.

Have a good night.

[Duppers]

20. Actually I admire your devotion to your family.

And if offering an opinion in a chat could threaten your job, then I can respect your position. Family should always come first.

Good evening to you too. 🙏

[UniteFightBack]

33. What about outside of work...would you speak up then? nt

[Soxfan58]

27. You bite your tongue

Because your family depends on you and your paycheck. That shows strength. Keep your eye on the ball. You can show your allegiance outside of work. Your family is lucky.

[jcmaine72]

29. Thank you.

I just got likened upthread to a Nazi-complicit German during the 1930s for possessing these priorities. Only on DU, eh?

Thanks for the kind words!

[Squidly]

30. I get you 100%

I cant say squat at my place of employment either. If the higher-ups knew my political stance I would be out on the street and thats no lie. They would concoct some reason to let me go. You keep your mouth shut, do your job and keep your insurance and paycheck.

[live love laugh]

31. Very smart of you to avoid the topic at work. Even

this conversation could come back to haunt me. But 🤷?♀️ I’m okay with that.

[Awsi Dooger]

7. I took a phone political survey the other day

The woman asked what my top priority was for the next president.

I said, "Someone who is not a low life human being."

She seemed startled. "Whoa. That is not on the list. But I can certainly write it down. And I definitely understand it."

[duforsure]

26. People are running away from trump and the republican party now,

And 2020 will make the 2018 Mid Terms look small against trump and the GOP when they are overwhelmed from people voting against them . Had two more former republicans (people I know) yesterday claim they'll never vote republican again, Another person I know met with strong supporters for a lunch wouldn't sat anything about him and republicans , but were upset about what happened. People are running from them now knowing how corrupt they've all become allowing this to happen. Partisan rule of law is a big loser for them . Won't be long before a lot more comes out destroying trump and the republican party as its known now for their actions protecting him and all his crimes.

[UniteFightBack]

32. Oh boy if anyone brings that up to me better watch out ...that is an invitation to UNLEASH...and

I do. I think we need to speak up.