I’m terrible at discussing politics. I get flustered and can never remember statistics or acronyms or what happened when. The opposition will pull elusive facts (?) I have never heard of out of a hat and me with no chance to google them. Under pressure, everything I know goes out the window and muttering, “I just feel like I’m right and you’re wrong” doesn’t really cut it.
So I avoid it.
But sometimes I will make an exception and talk to my dad about politics because a) I really want to know what he and his side are thinking and b) I know he won’t attack me. Unlike some people I know who feel that loud + rudeness = correct.
The other night we went a few rounds about Trump. Finally I had to just stop and say, “You think you’re right. I think I’m right. Everyone thinks they’re right. And everyone just wants the best outcome. Doesn’t mean anyone is evil.” Ok some are evil. But most are not. The opposition is made up of our friends, our family, our spouses and our co-workers. People we like and respect in our day-to-day.
As he was leaving, he said, “I respect your opinion. But you’ll see as you get get older. Most democrats are young.”
(In case you missed that, he’s saying democrats are naive, emotional, idealist do-gooders.)
I smiled. Challenge accepted.
Have you ever tried to change someone’s mind? If you have succeeded, I definitely want to know in the comments!
photo credit: no need to argue via photopin (license)
Growing Toward the Sun 