My friend at work is going insane because of Obama. What can I do?

[palemale]

But if Obama does get re-elected I think my friend is actually going to go insane. I think he will need mental help.

I hate to break it to you CoolKid, but your friend is already insane and in need of mental health treatment.

You might want to break it to him delicately that Ronald Reagan is dead and was a crummy president.

 

[anchihiro]

Hide the radio???

I think it's genuinely a damn shame that in the u.s.a. the 'news' is so unbelieveably biased one way or the other that people arent allowed to judge for themselves on the social topics of the day.

What you could do is introduce your friend, to sources, mainly websites that offer FACTUAL truths about both the good and bad points of Ronald Reagans term in office and Barrack Obama's too, talk to him in a calm rational manner and let him see for himself the neither one is/was perfect nor the antichrist. Make sure the sources are not biased and make sure you are there with him, or he'll just view Ronald Reagans instead. But it sounds like he's already brainwashed.

 

[CowboyBob]

Tell your boss to remove the radio as it's disruptive.

 

[BostonPirate]

He listens to conservative talk radio all day, when he first arrives at work until he leaves. All day. Every day.

I mean why would you want to sit and listen to someone complain about Obama and how terrible things are in the country all day long "every single day"?

Everytime you speak to him all he talks about his how awful Obama is and how wonderful Ronald Reagan is. He is obsessed with Ronald Reagan.

I say to him, "So freaking what? What can you do about it?"

He says, "Well... we can take to the streets is what we can do! Our freedoms and liberties are at stake! We need Reagan now! We need Reagan! Reagan showed us how to do it!"

I mean you can't even talk with him without him complaining about Obama and how he's destroying America!

I say well just try to think about something else. Get your mind off of it. He says, "How can I? My freedoms and liberties are at stake! He's trying to take away everything I have!"

Guys he tells me that there is no way that Obama will get re-elected as bad as he is. It just will not happen. But if Obama does get re-elected I think my friend is actually going to go insane. I think he will need mental help.

Any advice would be appreciative. lol.

I think he needs mental help already. There is a very weird set of people in this nation right now, who viscerally hate the president, and will listen all day to that nonsense to validate their hate. You see the threads pop up here all the time. They vehemently deny it is because he is half african american, but I am not so sure. Lets give them the chance because we aren't mind readers.

If he can't stop listening to the validation for his anger, I can't imagine how he will ever get to the point of saying what it is that really bugs him.

I know this.... when a politician does something that annoys me? I don't need a radio show to tell me why.

No one is ever all correct nor are they ever all wrong. When someone seems to suggest that there is a person who is, then that is usually when I smell something funny.

I think there are alot of white people out there very afraid of someone in the minority racially in power because they are aware of how whites have acted towards the current minorities, and they are fearful of reprisals. In some it raises to insane paranoia, as in the case of Glen Beck.

wht can be done? either change the topic, the radio station, or get a new friend.

 

[MercuryJones]

Your friend isn't insane because of Obama. He's just insane.

(Assuming this is true. Your marriage post and this combined don't pass my smell test.)

 

[rareboy]

^ Quoted for truth.

 

[justapixel]

Tell them the truth.

Republicans will control the House in six months.

Obama will not be able to damage the nation after that.

 

[CowboyBob]

Actually, Reagan's approval ratings were white low:

Reagan: Media Myth and Reality
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=1832

as usual Republicans have re-written history and pumped them up. Clinton's approval ratings were higher than Reagan's.

And you can see the rock bottom approval ratings of W.
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-presapp0605-31.html

It's sad to hear some more have been brainwashed by the right wing propagandists. Hitler was a master at that as Beck and Limbaugh are.


FYI:

http://www.secretservice.gov/faq.shtml

 

[evanrick]

just tell him by todays standards, reagan would be thrown out of the republican party for raising taxes, being a socialist, etc.

 

[MercuryJones]

I know how you feel. My friend at work who thinks he is Napoleon is being driven crazy by the British. Every time he hears about the British he starts ranting like a crazy man!

 

[NickCole]

Lol. Okay.

If Republicans don't regain some control. I think my work friend is going to jump through a window.

Your friend seems to be commited to some delusions about Reagan, which is kind of ironic because Obama fancied himself a current-day Reagan. But there's more going on. More and more people are frustrated with Washington's response to our problems that're spiraling out of control, from the economy to health care to the Gulf oil mess to Wall Street, and on and on. Part of your friend's attachment to Reagan might be that Reagan came in when things were in disarray and he took control and life seemed to get much better because of it; problem is it was all illusion, make-believe, pretend, deceit about Iran-Contra, spending on credit, etc. And that won't work now because we're not just in disarray, we're sinking deep into a hole that pretending won't get us out of.

Meanwhile Democrats blame Republicans, Republicans blame Dems, and all this blaming is being egged on by politicians and a media who want to hold onto their power, and this blame game keeps citizens from holding their own party's elected officials accountable. It was an amazing moment when Obama told gay rights protesters to go protest at Republican events -- think about it, why would gays protest Republicans who never promised us anything while Dems are in power and haven't done what they promised us? But Obama supporters cheered what he said, chanting Yes We Can! And any thinking person not under a spell had to wonder: Yes We Can ... what? ... if Democrats are shouting down gays protesting for equal rights.

I understand your friend's frustration, I hear it practically every day. And as the economy worsens and other things worsen because ObamaCo is making terrible decisions, people will become more frustrated and the hostility and divisions will continue to widen.

We are headed into a dark age, and the saddest part is it was avoidable.

 

[CowboyBob]

Lol. Okay.

If Republicans don't regain some control. I think my work friend is going to jump through a window.

Doesn't sound like it would be a big loss.

Do a google search on all the scandals of the Reagan era... James Watt, etc. He's apparently too young to remember all the corruption of that Presidency. Nancy Reagan and her astrologer deciding national policy. Reagan's alzheimer's while President and not being able to respond to reporters until Nancy whispered in his ear what to say. Lots of things. Plenty of corruption also. Reagan quadrupling the national debt.

 

[NickCole]

The Democrats... you don't see them talking about FDR all the time.

That's because Obama fares badly in comparison.

 

[BostonPirate]

Just to be "fair and balanced" here.

The economy is NOT the that good under Reagan. Actually if you do the research unemployment was the lowest in the year 2000.

Now one could argue that it was Reagan policies that led to that. But the economy was not the best under him.

I don't understand why Republicans want to keep looking back either. They should look to the future and quit trying to bring Reagan back from the dead. That is over with. The Democrats... you don't see them talking about FDR all the time.

we have about three or four people here that also have the same kind of insanity that your friend and boss have, as you may have noticed.

It's best to just let them ramble and not try to engage them in rational discussion about it. they will only rant if given the chance.

Reagan's trickle down policies began the avalanche of shit that Obama is helping us work our way out of right now. Once the rich get hold of the cash, they do not let it roll down hill. this upended distribution of wealth brings down an economy faster than any other fiscal policy, because the vast majority of taxes the gov't earns comes from the middle class, and when that class shrinks, the tax revenue evaporates.

 

[01solara]

Actually, Reagan's approval ratings were white low:

Interesting Freudian slip on your part. Are you obsessed with color. Do you hold Reagan's being white against him. If people disagreed with his policies did it mean they hated white people? Did you ever even consider that we don't like Obama because of his policies? Most of us don't give a shit what his skin color is. There are small number of people that probably do but not the majority. One thing is pretty certain. The freedom hating left will be in the minority in congress next January. We don't even have to win back the house to make it happen. The conservative Dems will be running so hard from Obama after the midterms he won't even be able to get close to their vicinity.

 

[CoolBlue71]

He listens to conservative talk radio all day, when he first arrives at work until he leaves. All day. Every day.

His problem — but why should it also become yours?

I mean why would you want to sit and listen to someone complain about Obama and how terrible things are in the country all day long "every single day"?

Everytime you speak to him all he talks about his how awful Obama is and how wonderful Ronald Reagan is. He is obsessed with Ronald Reagan.

Some people go to church; some listen to right-wing talk-radio. (Again, why should his problem be yours?)

I say to him, "So freaking what? What can you do about it?"

He says, "Well... we can take to the streets is what we can do! Our freedoms and liberties are at stake! We need Reagan now! We need Reagan! Reagan showed us how to do it!"

I mean you can't even talk with him without him complaining about Obama and how he's destroying America!

Was there a recent court order forcing you to hang with this person?

I say well just try to think about something else. Get your mind off of it. He says, "How can I? My freedoms and liberties are at stake! He's trying to take away everything I have!"

Move on.

Guys he tells me that there is no way that Obama will get re-elected as bad as he is. It just will not happen. But if Obama does get re-elected I think my friend is actually going to go insane. I think he will need mental help.

I think you will need help as well if you don't make a point to … move on.

Any advice would be appreciative. lol.

Once more…

Unless there's been a recent court order that is forcing you to keep company with this person … move on.

 

[BostonPirate]

I have a friend that is a rabid rush republican, and I never really have a problem with telling him my side.

I guess it's all about respect. no matter what the topic is, if your friends don't let you have your own opinion, then chances are you may have a problem with how you select your friends.

 

[CowboyBob]

Interesting Freudian slip on your part. Are you obsessed with color. Do you hold Reagan's being white against him. If people disagreed with his policies did it mean they hated white people? Did you ever even consider that we don't like Obama because of his policies? Most of us don't give a shit what his skin color is. There are small number of people that probably do but not the majority. One thing is pretty certain. The freedom hating left will be in the minority in congress next January. We don't even have to win back the house to make it happen. The conservative Dems will be running so hard from Obama after the midterms he won't even be able to get close to their vicinity.

You silly boy...... you know that was a typo. I meant "quite".

 

[Centexfarmer]

He listens to conservative talk radio all day, when he first arrives at work until he leaves. All day. Every day.

I mean why would you want to sit and listen to someone complain about Obama and how terrible things are in the country all day long "every single day"?

Everytime you speak to him all he talks about his how awful Obama is and how wonderful Ronald Reagan is. He is obsessed with Ronald Reagan.

I say to him, "So freaking what? What can you do about it?"

He says, "Well... we can take to the streets is what we can do! Our freedoms and liberties are at stake! We need Reagan now! We need Reagan! Reagan showed us how to do it!"

I mean you can't even talk with him without him complaining about Obama and how he's destroying America!

I say well just try to think about something else. Get your mind off of it. He says, "How can I? My freedoms and liberties are at stake! He's trying to take away everything I have!"

Guys he tells me that there is no way that Obama will get re-elected as bad as he is. It just will not happen. But if Obama does get re-elected I think my friend is actually going to go insane. I think he will need mental help.

Any advice would be appreciative. lol.

Alright, I figured if I was going to respond to anything posted in this thread it would be the opening comments.

I can say without bragging that "I was country when country wasn't cool."

So when did your "friend" give up his ability to think for himself?

I live out in the "sticks" and have to drive 12+ miles into town, out by the Interstate in order to pay my bills.

I have a friend/co-worker who's only preferred source of news comes from FOX NEWS.

Every morning he wants to "engage" me about how "Obama is taking over this country, and his rights as an American, and that he's turning us into a Socialist Country."

To be honest if it weren't for Jon Stewart and The Daily Show poking fun at Glenn Beck, and Fox & Friends, I honestly wouldn't have any idea what my "friend" was talking about.

Except for the fact that somewhere down the road (I feel) that my friend/coworker gave up his American Citizenship and allowed a group of idiots to tell him how to think.

I wasn't about to share with him "where" I get my news from.

I know him well enough to know that if it's from more than ONE source than I'm obviously a "liberal/co-conspirator"

So I went out of my way to find our "common ground."

IMO the Democrats cant find their way out of a paper bag with a flashlight and a map, and the Republicans would fuck their own Mothers to get re-elected.

Where does that leave the rest of us?

Between a rock and a hard place.

In the "Crossfire."

After I shared my feelings on the overall issues, he wasn't so quick to defend the idiot bullshit / talking points that he came into work with everyday.

I just reminded him that we're all Americans, and regardless of who's in the White House, or which party controls Congress, that those of us who work for next to nothing, and who are sending our friends and families to die for corporate interests in foreign wars, and who give up the right to think for ourselves, deserve the Government that we get.

And that "they" want to keep us divided so that we don't hit the streets with torches in our hands / united kicking every last one of those fuckers, and the media that supports and harbors them from being lynched for the traitors that they are.







Put it to them like that, and either they'll think that your more crazy then they are, or they'll trust your opinion more than "their" news sources.

I'm just saying.

 

[Kulindahr]

^
You go!