I'm having a bit of a tough time today. My boyfriend finally decided that us having 'agreed to disagree' over politics isn't enough, and he just can't deal with me holding a different opinion. He said he had no wish to change my opinion and that I have every right to disagree, but that he just can't live with it and it's too big a divide.
We've had political disagreements in the past and while I thought we'd always managed to resolve the issue and move on, he's apparently held onto those grievances and stewed over them. Since lockdown started he's had way more free time to spend on social media and has become increasingly hard-line in his beliefs and negative in his outlook. Even pointing out simple facts that contradict leftist narratives has resulted in him ranting at me for 2-3 hours, before finally calming down and apologizing. I'm heartbroken for our relationship and for him - that he's been so thoroughly brainwashed he feels nothing but anger and pessimism, that he's now ashamed of his country, and feels guilty for things he hasn't done.
I feel like I've lost my best friend because of Facebook. This sucks.
[EDIT: Thank you everyone for your very kind replies. You've given me some good food for thought, and helped me feel a little less isolated and adrift. It may take me a little while, but I'll try to reply to you all as I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Thank you all again!]
[EDIT 2: I'm absolutely overwhelmed with the kindness of all your replies, thank you all so much! It's so refreshing to receive so much support from like-minded people, when I'm usually mired in the constant negativity of living in a deep blue state.]
[EDIT 3: Well, this absolutely blew up over the last few hours. I'm so, so humbled by the warmth and care you've all shown me - this really is the greatest community! Although it hurt to see him take his things and leave this morning, I already feel a little better and lighter, and that's in no small part thanks to all of your comments. I can't reply to each of you individually anymore, but thank you all.]
Exactly. They need to take on the duty to educate the people about Marxism and parallels of today's society with Marxism. Bill Barr did a great job with that. They need to say Socialist, Marxist, Communist, Bolshevist, rather than "Liberal", "Anarchists" or "far left." Maybe the past 4 years were just a ramp-up to be able to do that without losing the "moderate" vote, but at some point Trump has to start doing it. Or, for that matter - we have to.
The education system is a gaping wound that will continue to indoctrinate young people, and it is today more radical than just a decade ago. So even if we manage to win the culture war - it's just a matter of time until the young become the adults and we become the old establishment. We already have that scenario right now - the brainwashed are already in charge of most of the institutions.
There is a lot to do, and even with a 2nd Trump term, the fight is long not over. A lot has to be done to fix all of this. And a Libertarian, hardcore anti-Marxist approach (ignoring the party because they are morons) is likely the best way forward.
We can win this and save civilization from the barbarism of socialism.