What is it like for you talking about politics to people in real life?

[Fumesucker]

I swear that sometimes I get an urge to look around for Rod Serling, it's creepy how many people don't know or understand the most basic things about government related stuff and current events.

I think my favorite line is something like "But he's on teevee, they wouldn't put him teevee if he didn't know anything.", usually said after I have nearly choked in a laughing fit when someone says something egregiously stupid on the tube. I don't have a TV so my resistance to the squid cloud of stupid it emits is very low when I go to friends' homes.

Not saying there's not good stuff on TV, but if that's the only place you get your knowledge of the political world you're likely to be dangerously misinformed.

Those that aren't political junkies mostly consciously avoid any explicitly political forums online so they tend not to get info on politics online either.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. In a word, it's painful.

Even discussing politics with my SO who shares many of my progressive viewpoints is hard. He doesn't know (b/c he doesn't read or have access to) the information I get online. He says stuff like "Herman Cain is bad news". While I agree, I can't get excited about conclusory comments that don't document what Cain has said or done. And forget trying to politics with someone who is diametrically opposed to my opinions, like my father. He watches FOX 24/7 and just repeats the last thing he heard. I grind my teeth when he says stuff like how smart Newt is.

[brewens]

2. I'm just careful not to call anyone stupid or get angry. When I see

a right-winger get their defensive "angry face" I'm usually done. It's a waste of time with those people.

[WVRICK13]

3. Except For My Friends and Family

It feel like I am speaking ancient greek to English speaking Americans. They don't get it and they don't want to get it. They have been damaged psychologically and are playing out a fully vested form of Stockholm Syndrome where they protect their abusers and fight for more abuse.

[PETRUS]

4. It depends.

Most of the folks in my circle have viewpoints that aren't so far from my own, so as long as we're discussing the nature of current conditions, there isn't a whole lot of severe disagreement. When we talk about potential solutions, there are plenty of differences of opinion, but we keep it civil.

In my working life, I have had conversations that involve me presenting a set of data only to be met with "that can't be true" or "I just don't believe it."

I'll be giving a presentation on OWS at a town meeting soon. The discussion could get interesting.

[bluethruandthru]

7. No matter what party they belong to, so many believe the myths created

by the RW: Liberal media, Government is the problem, the deficit is our biggest problem, MSNBC and CNN are just the left's versions of Fox news, etc.
They've grown accustomed to the so-called "news" always presenting two sides to every story. I try to point out that there aren't two sides to the facts...and that news should be presented that way.

[PETRUS]

8. Exactly. And so often the MSM totally falls down on the job.

When the left says "x" and the right says "y" you get this smarmy oh-so-reasonable posturing coupled with he said/she said reporting implying that these are opinions and the truth must lie somewhere in between. Bullshit. The truth is the truth - do some goddam investigative journalism.

[slackmaster]

5. Most of my family and friends are pretty savvy, although we don't always agree

I don't discuss politics with people who are unable to agree to disagree, or are unable to remain calm and polite. My Ignore list on DU is filled with people who can't be civil.

[lillypaddle]

6. I avoid it as much as possible

I work with repugs, and I become entirely too hostile when the subject turns to politics.:spank:

[Fumesucker]

10. Yeah, there's that too..

Being unemployed has its benefits I suppose..

:evilgrin:

:hi:

[Edweird]

9. I'm not exactly a little guy and I can be a little intimidating, so I usually get to say my peace

even when I'm around tea party types.

[B Calm]

11. My republican co-workers don't even know how many branches of government we have.

[IDemo]

12. I live in Idaho. Next question?

[Ship of Fools]

21. Hehehehehehehe. I'll say the same -- here in Kansas. Next?

[NRaleighLiberal]

13. It's interesting mostly, with the occasional mine field....

I have lunch weekly with two good friends - one is a center-left (much more center and I), the other a southern Dem - so I would describe more conservative, he would think more liberal. I am both a social and fiscal liberal - both of my friends are more fiscal conservatives. Makes for some interesting discussions. Also, neither can even remotely go into things like the possible rigged elections in 00 and 04 (their view is that conspiracies are impossible due to the overall ineptitude of human beings). So that's interesting as well.

Then there is talk with family - my brother swung far right when he got married to a very right wing, fundamentalist woman, and we can't really even "go there" with politics. He has become utterly brainwashed.

The amusing part is the looks I get when I drive around in my truck - with Obama, DU, and "turn off Fox News" bumper stickers all over. When I stop to gas up, I can see the faces of people looking at them and know instantly what side they are on.

In our neighborhood, we are a tiny blue dot surrounded by red - Faux news watchers all around - they think my wife and I are quite insane, really (probably are scared shitless of us, to tell the truth!). Any attempts at engagement on politics hasn't ended well - hell, it goes bad within a few minutes. Bush was great, superb family man, why didn't everyone love him, blacks are lazy, welfare is ruining the country - the whole spiel - they essentially turn into Fox News within 2 min of a conversation. Lots of fun (NOT).

Overall, I am not one to seek direct face to face conflict....so don't do very well directly engaging with those on the other side of the fence.

[Bonhomme Richard]

14. I am kind of "in your face" about it and the

righties that know me never bring up politic or refuse to answer back. What is sad is that those that think in my direction are embarrassed, it seems, that they are not aware. They know things are bad and getting worse but they act more like deer in the headlights.

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. I usually get responses like "Who?" or "No I hadn't heard that"

Blows my mind. Very few people pay attention.

[sendero]

16. I pretty much don't...

... and the naivete and ignorance of the average American is about to bite them in the ass HARD. And 95% or more of them will never see it coming. It's coming.

[TorchTheWitch]

17. I don't talk politics with people on the street

Generally speaking, I dislike intentionally giving myself a headache.

Frankly, I think spending all your free time engaged in discussing politics with all and sundry is a bit nuts.

[Fumesucker]

19. Evidently you're not surrounded by wingnuts, talk radio listeners and Fox Nooz watchers..

Seriously, it's the rare conversation I have that someone else doesn't bring up politics in one way or another at some point, almost always from a right wing slant.

I can either just go along to get along or speak out..

[MineralMan]

18. Half of the population is below average in intelligence.

There's your answer.

[Fumesucker]

20. I wish it were that simple..

I know people whose intelligence I respect on anything but politically related subjects.

I have a neighbor who is the IT manager for the entire state organization of major nationwide charity that you would instantly recognize the name of, I noticed a couple of months ago he has Sarah Palin's book on his bookshelf in his den and having had discussions with him that were tangentially related to politics it didn't surprise me at all. He has a kid going to a near Ivy League college and another one that graduated from the same school.

[BiggJawn]

22. Like talking to cornstalks.

They're either blissfully ignorant of the whole process, or they regurgitate AM Hate Radio and FAUX NOYZ talking points.

The local opinion of the "Occupy" movement is that the police aren't beating the Dirty Fucking Hippies hard enough.