Friendly Advice from a Liberal-Turned-Conservative

By David Tubman / New Braunfels, Texas

Insider readers may recall me as the person who refused the MRNA Spike protein shot during the pandemic. Since then, I had the virus again in 2023. Recognizing the symptoms, I went to the feed store and purchased a tube of Ivermectin for $9.25 plus tax. The counter clerk offered me some advice as he rang up my purchase. “Most people just put a little drop on a cracker.” My second case lasted less than a day.

However, that’s not why I’m writing this.

Imagine being in a coma for four years and then waking up to this bizarre world. Are you one of the happy ones? Or do you live in a rage cage? I’ll speak to both sides.

If your only sources of news are the New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, and the like, you may just be in a news bubble. You may well be yoked with angst about Donald Trump, and a hater of all things MAGA. If you are fed by the Mainstream Media spinners, I wonder what part of ‘Make America Great Again’ we are supposed to hate?

Perhaps you’ve heard of TDS, or Trump Derangement Syndrome. Donald Trump was once the poster child for everything Democrat, Hollywood the one personality with whom everyone wanted most to be photographed. He was a sought-after guest on all the late-night talk shows. Well, since DJT entered the political arena on the opposite side of the Democrat coin, anything labeled TRUMP has become demonized. If Trump says or does something, you must automatically hate it and ridicule anyone who voted for him, likes him, or agrees with his policies. MAGA has become a brand with hats, emblazoned gold coins, and bobbleheads. The substance of the actual policy is no longer of any importance.

Don’t believe me? Then try this out: Talk to a random person on the streets of New York or any major city. Ask them to answer a few questions about any of the controversial core policies the President is in favor of. But never utter the words “Donald” or “Trump.” You might be surprised to find out that many are in full agreement with many of those issues. Immigration? Do it lawfully. LGBTQ+? Live and let live. Religion? Believe as your heart desires. Make America Great Again? What’s not to like about that?

TDS and MM (MAGA Mania) surface to ridicule whenever there is disagreement. However, the approach should be one of respectful discourse. Ranting and name-calling are just a form of prejudice that proves our core logic is imbalanced and empty-headed. Offensive emotions take over. On the other side of the coin, if you only listen to FOX News, there’s such a thing as MAGA Mania, complete with MAGA socks, hats, pillows, flags, and bobblehead Trumps.

I’m known for being a former liberal who has turned conservative. My left-leaning friends (and some family members) think I need tokens of my transition, so at home, I have a mini-collection featuring my Trump-Vance flag (unfurled) and a Trump pillow (perched on the rocking chair). I have just added my newly acquired Trump socks (still unused). But I didn’t buy any of that myself. I’ve accepted the gifts in jest.

I haven’t attended any right-leaning political rallies or Second Amendment gatherings. Who would want to strap on their gun and hang out with a couple hundred upset survivalists? I decided not to attend the J-6 rally in D.C., just out of precaution. It had nothing to do with my opinions.

What do I recommend for therapy when someone shows symptoms of TDS, or MAGA Mania?

Follow these simple 12 steps to recovery: 1. Admit you suffer from TDS or MAGA Mania. 2. Remember: We are all Americans, first. 3. Admit you live in the greatest and most blessed country on the planet. (We actually do). 4. Swear allegiance to the flag. It’s a symbol of what makes us free to disagree, and others have died for it. 5. Stop doing all the talking and listen when others speak out about what they think, without ridiculing them. 6. Do your own research about issues, even if it means tuning in to news outlets you used to abhor. Truth has a way of cutting through falsehoods and so-called ‘fake news’. 7. Open your horizons to go beyond the usual biased news sources. Seek out balance, and clarity will follow.  8. If you’re showing signs of MAGA Mania, add these five networks to your favorite channels: CNN, MSNBC, NPR, The Washington Post, and The Guardian). 9. If you have been showing symptoms of TDS, add these five stations to your favorite list: The Federalist, Just the News, Breitbart, Newsmax, and The Epoch Times (My favorite). You’ll notice I didn’t mention FOX News? 10. Trust but Verify: Beware the headlines and repeated spin statements. Dig deeper before clicking the share button. 11. When you sense rage erupting, follow this Biblical advice: Pray for your enemies and those who persecute you. They may not know any better. “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” 12. Don’t be offended every time someone disagrees with you. Then rage can’t find its foothold.

That’s real freedom.

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David Tubman, a former Michigander (Detroit and Oak Park), moved to the West Coast in 1976 and is now living in New Braunfels, Texas. His newfound passions are writing and podcasting. To date, David has self-published two nonfiction books about Detroit’s infamous cold case: Jimmy Hoffa Is Missing–The Gap (2020) and Jimmy Hoffa Is Missing–Beyond The Gap (September 2025). He is a respected independent researcher in the disappearance of Hoffa. David now hosts two social media sites: “JHIMTG” and “Poly-Ticks & Faith.” The other passion has led David to begin a podcast called “Poly-Ticks & Faith.” He feels there is overwhelming stress associated with our national political culture, and he wants to help by talking people down from the ledge. Topics he has covered include “When Did Science Become Politics?” and “Who Are The Real Jews?”