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Montauker's avatar

I just flew from NY to Chicago. In line boarding the plane with me was a guy from outside of Chicago. Straight up Trumper - told me so early on, and I told him I’m a local Democratic committeeman. We talked about politicians, rather than politics. We talked about how politics and power easily corrupts even the most noble minded. It’s so hard not to get seduced by it all. He told me he spent 10 years in the military, some in combat, and that the most important thing is that we have the freedom to vote and that our votes be counted. He said didn’t ask people or even want to hear how they voted. Super high integrity. Then we switched to talking about families and kids and other stuff.

It was such a normal, polite conversation. In the run-up to the election, so refreshing. Immediately made me think about this article, which I had recently read. Before we’re red or blue, we’re family and friends, neighbors and colleagues and such. We forget that at our peril.

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Amen Ness's avatar

I have been through many eras and elections but never- never has the division and outright anger been so intense that families and friends can’t even talk to each other. I enjoyed your post and the follow with this family. Thank you

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Heather Boylen's avatar

I really liked your article, I thought it would be condescending or where you self congrats about being a better person, instead I was pleasantly surprised by how well written it was! I live in a rural area too, most people are good here, I guess had physical labor helps create them.

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Larissa Phillips's avatar

Thanks for reading, Heather. I’m glad it didn’t come across that way. It’s been a humbling experience.

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Michael Scandling's avatar

Excellent. I think good hearted well intentioned communication is always the best course whenever possible. Some people will just reject it, but not everybody.

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Still Waters by Bridget Claire's avatar

So beautiful, Ms. Phillips! Thank goodness for you!!

I’m a big fan of his all his work. As such, I’m also very aware that he is not easily influenced nor impressed by many others, including his own like-minded guests regularly appearing on his show as political analysts or commentators - no one is immune to his criticism. So, in that regard, he’s an equal opportunity offender who expects better from his own party and doesn’t surround himself with sycophantic support.

Bill Maher is kind of a dick, but he knows that’s his appeal and we’re all in on it. He’s hysterically self-aware that he’s self-absorbed - and that’s why your talent is an ego stroke of genius in the wonder that you were able to capture his attention and his appreciation by being featured on his show.

I think you’ve arrived. 😉

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Elizabeth's avatar

It was a truly lovely article! I'm grateful you took the time to write it and I'm grateful that a large outlet, like the Free Press, promoted it. Because you're exactly right, there is more that unite us than divides us, we've just forgotten it!

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Ellen's avatar

So well written. I appreciate your words and sentiment so much. Loved the Free Press piece as well. Thank you.

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Larissa Phillips's avatar

Thanks Ellen!

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Hans Jorgensen's avatar

Thank you. It's a good time to keep learning how hate scars the hater as well as the hated. Stoking anger and dividing us against each other will not be our salvation. I appreciated your writing and shared experiences. Thanks

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Alyson Durand's avatar

Love this follow up to your original piece. The amount of people I see saying that you should cut off any family or friends that voted differently than you is amazing. It’s that type of thinking that will keep the country divided. We all have the same goal in mind, right? A better life for everyone. People that think like you will help us get there.

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Mark Sundstrom's avatar

Loved your Free Press piece and this one is a great complement to it.

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George Christian Ortloff's avatar

Read this post back in November, in the Free Press, before I joined Substack. Just want to share my alternate upstate experience: I grew up in the Adirondacks, moved home 6 years ago. The Free Press photo illustrating your piece (one Harris sign in a sea of Trumps) is the 180-degree opposite of mine! During campaign season, I live in a "nest of Democrats!" I don't even put a sign out! My neighbors are wonderful people. A few are snooty, but they'll learn, just like you and yours and all of us, if we'll just try. And, as a bleeding-heart patriot since childhood, THANK YOU for putting your flag out. Correction: OUR flag. God bless America.

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Doris M Butler's avatar

This may be the best and most poignant essay i have ever read! Just incredible and made me think. I live in an almost predominantly red area of Pennsylvania. Farm country. It's hard not to judge sometimes, when you feel like you, yourself are being judged, like you are wearing a huge, flashing “LIBERAL” on your chest! LOL It's okay though. Most of my neighbors are pretty good people and I love this little town I moved to.

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DP's avatar

Dissension has been deliberately sewn for several decades/generations in this country, and it’s about time we collectively realize this and consciously and actively stop it.

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