Help! I need advice. When talking to wingnuts

[Puglover]

how do you guys maintain your composure? A neighbor was walking by my house yesterday and we started to chat over the fence. I had noticed that she and her husband(both teachers) have a BUSH/CHENEY sign in their front yard. So I asked her if they supported them. The answer of course was "Yes, we're very conservative" To which my BIG MOUTH replied, "Well, yeah, conservative is one thing, supporting a group of Nazi thugs is quite another." <sigh> Not the best opening line for a debate. I just can't stay calm. I guess I'm so pissed about these criminals and how they are destroying my country I have a hard time staying cool and rational about it. Any tips?

[demnan]

1. You blew it with them

What I would have asked is this: "As teachers, how do you feel about Bush's No child left behind policy"

Another question: "What happens to the schools that don't pass the tests. I'm very concerned about that."

"Most teachers I know are very liberal because they disagree with Bush's policies. If you agree with him, please tell me why."

You might find out some way in the future to pursuade them if you start out like that. If nothing else, you'll learn something about your neighbors and how they approach teaching.

[Puglover]

3. I thought I made it clear that I blew it...

her first comment was "I think President Bush has done a wonderful job in a terribly difficult time" That set me off right there.

[kikiek]

6. I don't think you blew anything that was within reach. Teachers

by and large are supporting Kerry. I would assume that they know the arguments against Bush, but for one reason or another choose to ignore them. I like to point out that he isn't really conservative or Republican. But honestly I doubt you could convert them anyways. Don't fret! It is nice to hear I am not the only who gets fed up with the kool aid drinkers.

[ET Awful]

4. Just say. . .

So what are your feelings on Bush's severely underfunded No Child Left Behind system? How do you feel about the fact that schools in many states have been forced to lay-off teachers due to lack of funding brought about by this policy?

While we're at it, how do you feel about the fact that charter schools which have been shown to be sub-par in nearly every area of their curriculum are able to receive federal funding while money is being denied public schools who actually test higher, yet are severely underfunded?

[phylny]

2. You answer,

"Oh, you're CONSERVATIVE! So you must be really, really upset at the Bush administration's self-induced deficit and the out-of-control government spending, then."

Be sure to step back slightly, as the ensuing sputters might be kinda gross.

[Killarney]

5. Nail. Hit. Head.

True conservatives should be staying home this November.

Bush has created the largest deficit in the history of the U.S. He has increased the size of government to the largest government in the history of the U.S. He signed a $500 billion medicare bill filled with pork and lied about how much it would originally cost. He can't control his spending. He can't balance anything. Corporate welfare and handouts are at an all-time high.

Anyone that is a fiscal conservative (as opposed to a social conservative that just hates gays and women and will always vote repuke for that) should not be supporting Bush. He's a complete failure on the fiscal conservativism platform.

That would be the best way to deal with someone like that (the above post). Not argumentative, but makes a great point.

[kikiek]

7. Gotta ask..are you really in Mpls? City proper? Curious because

I feel so much more at home in the city because it is so much more liberal than where we are. I miss the city.

[Puglover]

9. Yep...

South Minneapolis...right near 48th and Chicago

[kikiek]

10. Are they lonely repugs? Seems like wouldn't be many around there.

We lived northside for many years. I would like to help get the vote out election day in north mpls. Wouldn't do it alone of course.

[Puglover]

12. Nope...they seemed so normal

until I saw that stupid sign...and when I spoke to her yesterday. :evilfrown:

[wurzel]

8. Just remind them of RNC convention "compassion" night!

Where the multimillionaire Terminator told the unemployed and the uninsured "Don't be girlie men". Incredible.

[johnnie]

11. If they have their minds made up

It's not very easy to talk to them. Save it for the ones sitting on the fence or tell you they have no idea yet.
I had another discussion with a friend from Texas last night. I have known her 3 years and her family are die-hard repubs. She will not listen to anything I have to say, even when she asks me a question she interrupts me before I get two words out. It is a worthless, waste of time to even discuss things.
I told her last night to stay in the repub party and don't even embarrass me by even thinking of changing sides.
If your neighbors have a bush/cheney sign in their yard, it is probably worthless to say anything to them. Their brains are already washed and you have to wait until they both loose their jobs to say..."I could have told you that".

[sangh0]

13. Bingo!!

There's no hope for die-hard Republican conservatives. They are voting for Bush*, end of sentence, period.

The only reason to debate with them is if undecideds are around, and then you use them to show the undecided how unreasonable those radical republikkkans are. Adopt an extremely reasonable tone, and ask reasonable questions like "What kind of leader responds to an attack by Saudis by invading Iraq?" or "Why doesn't Bush* attack his business partners and freinds in Saudi Arabia? Everyone knows that THEY'RE the ones who finance Al Queda"

Or ask the people listening how much money THEY saved on tax breaks (assuming your friends aren't rich) or ask about the price of gas.