Politics these days have become so divided and divisive that it’s become the norm to view the other side of the aisle as “the enemy”. People are being told to “pick a side” and that there’s no room for middle ground. We here at Phetasy believe that there are a lot more people in the middle than politicians and the media would have us believe.
We’re collecting stories from the ever growing number of people who are finding themselves Politically Homeless and posting them here on Substack. If you have moved from conservative to liberal, or liberal to conservative, if you feel you’ve stayed in the same place and your party has swerved drastically away from you, if you had a moment that awakened you to the insanity and hypocrisy on both sides, if you keep your mouth shut anytime a political topic comes up because you’re afraid your opinion will cause you to lose friends or your job, you’re not as alone as you might think.
Our goal is to shine a light on people’s earnest, individual experiences and show them they’re not alone.
Some letters have been edited for clarity and brevity. If you’re politically homeless and would like to share your story, please email us at iampoliticallyhomeless@gmail.com. All submissions will remain anonymous.
Letter 80:
February 7, 2024
Politics tore my family apart, claiming the bond I shared with my brother and sister. Adding to the tragedy, I lost them in the wake of my parents' deaths, which occurred within a mere four months of each other. I firmly believe that had I not clashed with them over which political party held the higher moral ground, we would still be together, supporting each other through life's challenges.
It all began with the onset of Covid and the challenges of caring for aging parents. Beyond the usual family disagreements about their care, we faced the added complexity of navigating their safety during the pandemic. This sparked numerous arguments about the best way to protect them.
Despite my reservations about the mask mandate and the vaccine, I complied to maintain harmony. I was cautioned that even a moment without a mask could mean leaving my mother's bedside, situated in my sister's home. The constant monitoring during my visits, coupled with the strain of ensuring I adhered to every protocol, made the experience incredibly stressful.
When I visited my father, I was reminded to wear a mask and, naturally, I got vaccinated, albeit with another round of admonishments about mask-wearing protocols. After a two-and-a-half-hour drive, I found myself enduring lengthy lectures about the importance of masks and vaccines, starting the visit on a negative note.
Despite feeling the urge to defend myself, I chose silence to salvage what little positivity remained in the visit.
The issue extended beyond mere compliance with their mandates and protocols; it ran much deeper. The crux of the matter was their awareness of my support for Trump as our president. My family was vehemently opposed to Trump's presidency, grappling with what some call "Trump Derangement Syndrome." They visibly recoiled at any mention of my support for Trump, imploring me to despise him as vehemently as they did. However, I steadfastly refused to comply, and therein lay the root of the real problem.
In short, my brother, infuriated by my departure from the Democratic Party and his own beliefs, suspected that I was carrying a gun in my computer bag. This was a ridiculous accusation, as I have never carried a gun nor would I ever want to in my life. During one of my visits to my mother's place, where I worked remotely towards the end of her life, he stormed into my sister's house. He angrily rifled through my bag, demanding, "Where is it?" I asked, "Where is what?" He retorted, "Where is the gun? You must have a gun." The confrontation escalated, culminating in him spitting in my face.
In another incident, my sister called the police on me because I expressed frustration after she informed the family that our mother was dying, despite the fact that we were aware she had a urinary tract infection. She alleged that "I charged her" and accused me of being violent.
This behavior was unprecedented, triggered by my departure from the Democratic Party. They perceived me as embodying what the mainstream media accuses Trump of being. Their accusations, actions, and reactions stemmed solely from my newfound support for Trump, which they deemed criminal. They labeled me as suffering from "substance abuse" and insisted I needed help. Threatening to intervene if I didn't seek assistance, they went as far as filing multiple police reports, painting me as a violent drug addict and turning the family against me. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Despite their assertions, their ultimate objective was to incarcerate me or institutionalize me to coerce me into seeing things their way.
When my parents passed away, I fulfilled my duties as a good daughter with courtesy and grace. Yet, deep down, I knew that once the ceremonies concluded and we returned to our routines, I could finally distance myself from them for good. Deliberately creating space between us, I've found peace in my life without their presence. I maintain civility when necessary, but that's where it ends.
They subjected me to so much turmoil during a time when our family should have come together in love and harmony to honor our parents' legacies. Instead, the divisive political climate turned it into a battleground of good versus evil in their eyes. I've nearly reached my limit with this behavior.
I pray earnestly for their happiness and inner peace, hoping they'll find it in their hearts to embrace love for everyone, regardless of political beliefs. Above all, I hope they can extend that love to me, their sister who has cherished them for countless years, regardless of who holds office.
Because of this ordeal, I no longer identify as a Democrat or a Republican. My voting priorities have always centered around peace as the foremost concern, followed by equal rights for all, with the economy as a secondary consideration. Therefore, I evaluate policies, examine the candidates' track records, and rely on common sense to determine who deserves to hold office.
While I don't harbor much optimism that any politician will genuinely prioritize the people's best interests, I do hope that whoever is elected will prioritize the well-being of the country's citizens above all else.
Sincerely,
Politically Homeless
Some letters have been edited for clarity and brevity. If you'd like to share your story, email us at iampoliticallyhomeless@gmail.com. All submissions will remain anonymous.
I'm A Recovering Democrat With No Allegiance To Either Party