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Susan's avatar

I thought I was the only one that felt like this, but that’s common in an abusive relationship. I, too, grew up in an abusive household. My father was a rageaholic and my mother was a checked-out narcissist who focused on my looks and my achievements. Neither one focused on the value of my character. My brother and I had to learn how to read our parents in order to protect ourselves from physical and psychological abuse. Trump is the same way. We’ve seen it in the comments he made about his daughter and women in general, and his hyper-focus on his son’s height. His cabinet is like the contestents on a reality television show. Unfortunately, a little over half the country can’t see it. They still live in that cycle of abuse.

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Walter Rhein's avatar

I think the rest of the country is figuring it out, the question is whether it will be soon enough.

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Susan's avatar

I fear it wont, but there’s hope it will. I cried when I saw Zelenskyy being treated like the family scapegoat and learning that ICE tried to send women to those El Salavadorian prison camps with men. There’s an utter lack of empathy in MAGA and the Trump regime.

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Reading Off Into The Sunset's avatar

There’s generations of abuse in some families. That doesn’t resolve itself in just a few years. It takes generations of effort to do better.

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Rebecca Weitzel's avatar

Yes Walter, we are all in an abusive relationship with our president. I escaped my abusive stepfather, husband, and various toxic people in my daily life as well. I didn't take forever to get the courage to leave, only to find myself out of the frying pan and immediately into the fire. Thanks for the pep talk though. Good advice. 💪💪🏾

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Lisa’s Last Words's avatar

Awesome writing Walter you are very talented👀👏👏👏

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thank you!

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Nanette Hart's avatar

We, can blame the conservative part but of the Supreme Court that granted him presidential immunity! It’s up to the people to remove this s Cheeto and his regime and get rid of the current republican politicians at the ballot box!

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Gabriela Trofin-Tatár's avatar

Listening to this podcast clarified so many things! 🙏🥹

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thank you Gabriela!

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Shelby Schneider's avatar

Thank you so much for this !!! It definitely resonates! Thank you for sharing the hard work you have done over the years… to get to this place. This is so helpful ; I am still unraveling the impact of the various relationships I was in; and trauma inflicted on me; which was separate from my parents behavior; still unraveling the impact of that as well. There was dysfunction for sure ; but not the “ full on narcissistic “ model. Anyway what it all adds up to ; along with experiencing narcissistic behavior and impact of another family member; AND having witnessed the dynamic in loved ones relationships over the years ; and having worked with clients part of the dynamic as well;; NOWONDER it has resonated with me so clearly . Still just floored that soooo many reject this reality of the moment .,, outright. Thanks again.

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thank you Shelby. I strongly believe the election was stolen from us. The lack of accountability is so hard to deal with. We'll get through it though. I feel like our backs are against the wall and the people will demand justice... perhaps for the first time in this country.

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Shelby Schneider's avatar

You’re welcome, Walter! It appears it was… which is a whole other beast , ha! Yes we WILL persevere…yes I feel like we collectively are finding our way forward . S l o w l y. Hard to visualize something we have no experience with ..

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Christy B.'s avatar

Thank you for sharing your vulnerability.

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