Sigh. I have a similar problem. Part of my family are hard core Leftists, they had some kind of connection to the Clinton-Kane team on the Kane side. After the election, I somehow got an accidentally sent email distribution, started by my brother, that was looking for volunteers to contribute, in any way large and small, money or labor, to “The Resistance”.
I just have a very difficult time being around them now. They are careful not to discuss politics around me, but...the knowledge they have thrown in with that crowd causes me some significant emotional pain.
We are not estranged, but...I have that knowledge. A bell, once rung, cannot often be un-rung.
I am careful to note, that my disdain for the Left is not uniform and all consuming towards all who pull the lever for their candidates. I divide the Left into three general categories, The Power, The True Believers, and The Good Hearted Liberals.
“The Power” are the ones on the Left who understand their ideology is all about power and control. They don’t buy into the Social Justice crap except as a tool.
“The True Believers” are the ones we see clawing at the door of the Supreme Court, shrieking with bugged-eyes and spittled-lips inside the chambers and being arrested and dragged out. They wear pussy hats or the stupid Handmaiden Tale costumes. They believe all the Leftist tripe, top to bottom, and are tools/cannon fodder of “The Power” group.
“The Good Hearted Liberals” are people you work with, live next door to, and maybe go to church with. They are often emotionally driven on many issues, and they are generally not ideologically driven.
Of these three groups, I am at war with the first two, tooth and nail. I don’t speak to them, I don’t argue with them, I don’t try to convince them because it is a waste of time. I won’t give quarter to them (figuratively speaking) because it won’t be forthcoming from them. I am not surrendering.
I do speak to “The Good Hearted Liberals”...I have friends in that group, and find they will listen calmly, even if they don’t buy into what I say. But I do have dialogue with them. Some of these people can change and become conservative. I personally know some who have. But I don’t push them, because those people have to change on their own.
Sometimes they get mugged and change. Sometimes they leave home, buy a house, raise a family, and they change. Sometimes, they just grow up. But there is hope for some of them. When I say we need to ridicule, humiliate, defeat, and dominate the Left at every chance we get, I exclude this last group from that. I usually treat them with civility and respect where it is warranted.
I have an ex hooked in with that Kaine segment. Part of the reason he ditched me had to do with his Pied Piper reaction to Obama. He thought he was going to be connected to DC through HRC. But he bet on the wrong horse. Still, I cannot understand that politics and power won out over the kids and me. But that is the sad story. Power corrupts. The thought of power and riches can corrupt many men.