Talking With Republicans
Originally submitted by: Mz. Manners
I had a run-in last night with a real a-hole at a restaurant. A real right-wing millionaire type. Now, before you judge this article, bear in mind that Democrats are hard to talk to as well. I'll be getting to that in a future article. But these are some guidelines for anybody trying to hold a civil political debate. 1. Avoid talking about politics altogether. You are not going to chainge their minds any more than they will change yours. 2. If you must engage, keep on domestic issues. Most Republicans will not actually talk about the war. So you can come to a common ground and even sway them over to your side by talking about education. Stay out of the Gay Marriage and Right-to-choose debate. You will only upset yourself. 3. Talking about money is tacky. If a Republican tells you how much they make and how much they pay in taxes, tell them that it is none of your business. 4. Tell them they look nice. 5. Speak in their language. If you can converse with them on their issues, in their own words, you will be very persuasive. 6. Tell the wife that she looks nice. 7. Thank them for their point of view. It is a respectful way of closing the argument before it gets heated. 8. Know your facts and use them. Pull from multiple sources. 9. Develop your own points of view. Do not just regurgitate what you heard someone say on NPR. 10. Do not get emotional. Do not use examples from your own life. The more you give away, the more ground you lose. You might quickly realise that you are talking to a crazy person. You do not need to get wrapped up in discussions with people who still believe that Iraq caused 9/11. Look for the tell-tale signs, and look for a way out.
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Re:Talking With Republicans
Originally submitted by: Hummingbird
Politics is very, very personal for me so if someone I don't know manages to drag me into a political debate then I will get personal. You never know who you're talking to; I don't know their experiences and they don't know mine and I think my personal history and perspective can help them to see where I'm coming from and where I'm going. Just my 2 cents.
Re:Talking With Republicans
Originally submitted by: Mz. Manners
Sweetie, I think that's wonderful. And politics are personal, no doubt. Just don't take it personal when the a-hole rubs you the wrong way. He knows the buttons to push, he gets his rocks off making you flustered. It's his only pleasure in life.
Re:Talking With Republicans
Originally submitted by: jadelay
Yes, I would like to be able to talk with people who aren't nice and don't look nice either. How do you talk to someone who has completely different premises and principles than you do? Especially when you think their principles rely on deception and doing whatever it takes to get into power?
And how can we talk about, say the war in Iraq, without resorting to personal attacks that veer off and deteriorate to a discussion of stereotypes others have about your views, your choices or whether you eat meat or not.
Such attacks don't make me want to fight back. They make me want to withdraw and close myself off with people who think like me. This is very disheartening, because I don't want to just be around people who agree with me either.
Re:Talking With Republicans
Originally submitted by: Mz. Manners
I think that we're passing the buck here. The fact is, we don't want to avoid these arguments at all. I think many of us really enjoy an opoortunity to hang a flag out there and fight with someone with opposing views. Especially when they bring the fight to you!
I think we love it. It's a mutually enjoyable activity. We all love winning, and we all love to know we're right. So. The key is to arm yourself. You need information, you need strategy, and you need moxie, honey.
The key is to ask questions. When they say something offensive, follow it up and counter-attack, not with something offensive, but with damning, brutal accusations. Do they really stand behind their administration's policies? Do they support the war? 'No Child'? Get them on the ropes. You love it, and you know it. Go get em, Tiger!
Re:Talking With Republicans
Originally submitted by: jadelay
How does Mz. Manners propose to realistically handle the certain swift-boating that will take place in the race between Barack Obama and John McCain?
How about having the two candidates and their political campaigns sign a "treaty" like a treaty banning land mines (or for us-one which is an agreement with spammers who keep putting Viagra ads and porn on this site)where everyone agrees not to participate in certain campaign tactics, such as swift-boating?