# I pit over-the-top Anti-Trump hysteria **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [August 5, 2025, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735 "2025-08-05T18:11:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 42
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/821 "2025-10-07T18:22:05Z")
I wrote my congresswoman about one issue, and my senator about another. Eventually, I received a form letter back, indicating that not only had they not read my letter, they miscategorized it to the nearest issue about which they were getting a lot of letters. (I wrote my senator about Hatch Act violations following the shutdown, i.e. all those banners on government websites blaming the Democrats. My form letter was about the shutdown itself. I wrote my representative about the propaganda messages from the head of Social Security, and got a generic message about social security.) I understand that they can’t be bothered to respond to each message. I would, however, like some indication that someone actually read it. Further, all the responses convey, “We are strategizing and legislating sensibly, as if this were a normal government,” which sends me into a right panic. Why don’t they respond to what is happening? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/822 "2025-10-07T19:02:04Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Eventually, I received a form letter back, indicating that not only had they not read my letter, they miscategorized it to the nearest issue about which they were getting a lot of letters. > [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Why don’t they respond to what is happening? Gah, none of the categories fit treason. We need a treason category! Or just an EVERYTHING. And I agree, why aren’t they doing anything. Is the gravy train so good they will allow democracy to die? I guess so. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/823 "2025-10-07T20:00:45Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > I understand that they can’t be bothered to respond to each message. I would, however, like some indication that someone actually read i I was an intern for a Senator many decades ago. At that time, and for that Senator, every letter was read, but, as you note, many (almost all) got form letters in response. My job was actually to draft letters that didn’t fit one of the form responses. That was quite interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/824 "2025-10-07T20:19:38Z")
It would be very easy to add a line saying, “We appreciate your specific points. On a related matter, [generic letter].” If a staffer read my letter and ticked a column on his spreadsheet, great. If AI handled the whole transaction, though, I’d see the same result. And I don’t have any faith that they can be bothered to pay humans to read when AI will filter emails for free or (if you get a good one) cheap. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2025, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/825 "2025-10-08T03:11:21Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > And so far, not a prominent Republican in the country to voice any displeasure whatsoever. They are 100% pro-facist dictator. Why would they be sad? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2025, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/826 "2025-10-08T08:15:46Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Why don’t they respond to what is happening? Because they’re worried about their jobs. Because they’re worried about pissing Trump off and ending up defenestrated (Holy Putin, Batman! But I wouldn’t put it past him), and because they’re afraid of attracting the attention of wackadoodles who will come after them (cf. Nancy Pelosi’s husband), and because they’re too busy toeing the party line to care about the political health of the United States as a whole. What is necessary is a Joseph N. Welch, who had the guts to stand up to Senator Joseph McCarthy’s House Un-American Activities Committee in 1954 and say, “Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?” Mr. Welch had other things to say that day, but that’s what sticks. And that’s what is necessary now. For Congress, Representatives and Senators, Republicans and Democrats, to say, “We run this place for the people of the United States, the same people who put us here.” Yeah, it may cost you your jobs, and it sure won’t please Trump, but maybe he needs to hear that. And your conscience will be clear. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2025, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/827 "2025-10-08T21:44:15Z")
Oh, I just wanted to point it out. Also, Americans, your local Republicans. Your family, friends, cow-erkers, they love and support all of this. Just please keep it in mind, is what I’m saying. ---
**Author:** ![Frilly\_Heck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/90ced4/32.png) [@Frilly\_Heck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frilly_Heck)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/829 "2026-01-26T21:02:24Z")
I am bumping this because I saw a headline (since edited, apparently) that reminded me of the thread. When you use the word ‘hysteria’, [this is the company you keep](https://www.threads.com/@columbusdispatch/post/DT-fqD0Du0t/opinion-renee-good-wasnt-an-innocent-problem-is-hysteria-not-ice-ohio-ag). [Here’s](https://www.dispatch.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2026/01/26/ice-minneapolis-renee-good-protestors-ohio-church-keith-faber-minnesota-somali-community/88353691007) the article. Note how it’s been edited, presumably because even they realized it was going too far. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/830 "2026-01-26T23:00:39Z")
“I won’t tolerate lawlessness” says Republican lying to excuse lawlessness. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/831 "2026-01-26T23:43:59Z")
You know who else uses the word hysteria? [Dictionaries.](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hysteria) By your logic, this means Merriam Webster is committing genocide. [The proof is right there.](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genocide) ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/832 "2026-01-27T00:02:13Z")
Resorting to the dictionary is … lame. Just because it’s in the dictionary does not make it the appropriate word to ever use. It is a misogynistic term used to handwave away any concerns you don’t agree with. Do better. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/833 "2026-01-27T00:21:12Z")
You describe things you don’t like as “lame”? That’s very offensive to people with physical disabilities. Do better. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/834 "2026-01-27T00:25:25Z")
Ok, good point. Resorting to the dictionary is indicative of a person who lacks a good, and intelligent argument. Do better. ---
**Author:** ![Frilly\_Heck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/90ced4/32.png) [@Frilly\_Heck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frilly_Heck)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/835 "2026-01-27T00:27:23Z")
The trope is a common one, and it’s interesting to see in hindsight: [US liberals’ hysteria outlives Trump](https://mondediplo.com/2021/08/06usa) (from 2021) [Why all this Trump hysteria?](https://unherd.com/2023/12/why-all-this-trump-hysteria/) (from 2023) [Trump isn’t a threat to democracy. Hysteria is.](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/11/opinion/sunday/trump-hysteria-democracy-tyranny.html) (from 2017) [To understand why Trump won, look at Democratic hysteria](https://www.aei.org/articles/to-understand-why-trump-won-look-at-democratic-hysteria/) (from 2018) That’s the company you keep when you use this language. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/836 "2026-01-27T00:36:32Z")
Twenty years ago, it was “whining.” ---
**Author:** ![Frilly\_Heck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/90ced4/32.png) [@Frilly\_Heck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frilly_Heck)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/837 "2026-01-27T00:44:06Z")
I don’t think he’s going to do better. But maybe someone else will if they read the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/838 "2026-01-27T00:57:27Z")
> [@Frilly\_Heck](#): > > I don’t think he’s going to do better. But maybe someone else will if they read the thread. That’s pretty much the reason I’ve stayed with the thread. Trump has committed or abetted real crimes like corruption, murder, rape, and treason. And the Republicans have supported him and refused to do their constitutional duty. So we need to get Trump and the Republicans out of office. Trump should be impeached, arrested, convicted, and imprisoned. If the Republicans refuse to do that, we need to elect Democrats who will. Making up imaginary crimes that Trump hasn’t committed isn’t helping with that important goal. It just gives Trump and the Republicans an easy way to divert attention from the actual crimes they are committing. So I will continue to denounce anti-Trump hysteria so it doesn’t tarnish anti-Trump opposition by association. Meanwhile you guys can all gather together and tell each other you’re better than us. Just don’t get in our way while we’re working, okay? ---
**Author:** ![Frilly\_Heck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/90ced4/32.png) [@Frilly\_Heck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frilly_Heck)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/839 "2026-01-27T01:03:23Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Meanwhile you guys can all gather together and tell each other you’re better than us. Just don’t get in our way while we’re working, okay? You are the one who started the thread and chose the framing language. You and I have a lot of overlap in our agreement, but you poisoned the well. Excuse me for not wanting to drink the poison. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/840 "2026-01-27T01:06:00Z")
You’re excused. As long as you show up and vote for the Democrats on Election Day. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735/841 "2026-01-27T01:26:08Z")
You refer to people with physical disabilities as “lame”? Please try to do better. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735.md?page=41) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-over-the-top-anti-trump-hysteria/1021735.md?page=43)