Very boring story, and irrelevant.
Very boring story, and irrelevant.
There is nothing wrong with having different opinions. But it's total waste of time to talk with people who believe they are entitled to their own facts.
Not any more. As soon as they voted for Brexit I knew they were probably too stupid to keep in touch with any more.
Ironically, the biggest political "fight" I've had with a friend was with someone that I agree with on about 95% of the issues. But he was just too extreme. We were actually talking about a subject we both agreed on, but I said it was not that big of a deal. And we got in a 2-hour argument over whether or not it was a big deal or not.
theJeff wrote:
I have 2 good friends that are on the complete opposite end of the political spectrum from me. For whatever reason, we get along well, and all of our conversations about politics are civil. (Come to think of it, most of our conversations ARE about politics, which is weird that we consistently begin conversations that we know we will disagree on.)
Maybe we just have similar "Debator" personality types...
To clarify, it isn't that I necessarily think people are defined by their political views; it's just that we tend to gravitate towards people with common interests.
How about you? Does having opposing political views make it hard to be friends with someone? Anyone have very different views from their spouse?
I do have friends who views differ from mine. Being of a more libertarian bent I can often find common ground with liberals on many social issues and conservatives on government size and spending.
With these folks, politics is just one interest we share.
My sister has gone over the edge though in her hatred for Trump. I am not a big fan of his approach although I like the justices he nominated (mainly he let the Federalist Society make a list for him) and some deregulation, but I think if Trump came out saying the sky is blue, my sister would call him a liar.
I liked this outline of the conservative vs liberal personality traits. Big generalisations but that's what he's talking about... https://youtu.be/8SOQduoLgRw
The People and Their Minds wrote:
UsedToBeKnowItAll wrote:
I think it depends more on the person than their political views. I have friends that probably vote similar to me, and I can't stand talking about politics with them, because they are either too emotional or too ignorant, or just can't reason very well. I have similar friends that probably vote the exact opposite of me.
But most of my friends have their values (whatever they may be) and reason, and understand that. And they can have fun discussions about pretty much any topic.
Same here. For good, whole people with whom I'm simpatico, differences in political opinion brings good insight and discussion, just as differences in experiences and outlook on other portions of life do.
The trouble with modern America is we're getting more and more settled into thought silos where we won't compromise or consider opposing views. The vastness of the differences in political views, as well as stubbornness in holding extreme positions, seems to widen and eventually becomes breaking points for relating to our fellow countrymen.
Well said. I believe talking to each other is better than not talking at all. All the people who say they intentionally stop talking to others with different views need to open up.
I blame technology. Its more addictive to look down at your phone and at social media than it is to develop a nuanced conversation where you have to communicate thoughtfully if someone who youre talkng with disagrees with you.
For those of you who say there are "wounds that cant be healed" give me a break. There is still hope to have a civil society.
theJeff wrote:
I have 2 good friends that are on the complete opposite end of the political spectrum from me. For whatever reason, we get along well, and all of our conversations about politics are civil. (Come to think of it, most of our conversations ARE about politics, which is weird that we consistently begin conversations that we know we will disagree on.)
Maybe we just have similar "Debator" personality types...
To clarify, it isn't that I necessarily think people are defined by their political views; it's just that we tend to gravitate towards people with common interests.
How about you? Does having opposing political views make it hard to be friends with someone? Anyone have very different views from their spouse?
Sure. But when those friends try to portray themselves as open-minded yet show themselves to be hypocrites I move on.
Example: You don't go after Paul Ryan yet exempt John Kerry's Boston marathon exploits.
It’s interesting that as I read this thread those who are obviously opposed to Trump are the MOST unaccepting of others beliefs. Really similar to the Nazis that they claim Trumo supporters are. Also, not once to they actually prove their claims of racism against his supporters.
The thing I didn’t vote for Trump nor will do so in the next election, but this liberal double standard is quite disturbing.
Not Born in the USA wrote:
There is nothing wrong with having different opinions. But it's total waste of time to talk with people who believe they are entitled to their own facts.
Ha! I may steal that. Nice.
I don't have any friends with differing political views. What passes for "opinion" in some quarters is so uninformed it doesn't even qualify as "opinion." I have no time for such trash.
Since I am in the middle of the spectrum politically, vastly different political views could either be left wing or right wing. Here in the Bay Area, the right wing people tend to hide and if I have any friends who are right wing they are hiding it. I have left wing friends but I just ignore their dribble (which generally is manifested in Facebook posts).
As a liberal living in a deep red state, you can’t help but have friends who have different political opinions. My best friend and the godfather of my kids is a Republican. One of the best people I know. We don’t talk politics much, but I don’t mind talking politics with him because his opinions are generally based on reasonable grounds. I may disagree with him, but I can at least understand why he believes what he does. I think it’s healthy for people to be regularly exposed to different opinions. It broadens the mind and helps prevent you from seeing them as “others.” Hell, I read Fox News in addition to my usual liberal sites because I’m curious what the right’s take is on various issues. That being said, reading the comments section on Fox News makes my hair stand on end.
Tejano wrote:
As a liberal living in a deep red state, you can’t help but have friends who have different political opinions. My best friend and the godfather of my kids is a Republican. One of the best people I know. We don’t talk politics much, but I don’t mind talking politics with him because his opinions are generally based on reasonable grounds. I may disagree with him, but I can at least understand why he believes what he does. I think it’s healthy for people to be regularly exposed to different opinions. It broadens the mind and helps prevent you from seeing them as “others.” Hell, I read Fox News in addition to my usual liberal sites because I’m curious what the right’s take is on various issues. That being said, reading the comments section on Fox News makes my hair stand on end.
You should read the Breitbart comments section. You can say goodbye to your hair.
theJeff wrote:
Not Born in the USA wrote:
There is nothing wrong with having different opinions. But it's total waste of time to talk with people who believe they are entitled to their own facts.
Ha! I may steal that. Nice.
Hey thejeff,
Interesting thread. I like the above quote from Not Born as well. I am interested to know, from your conservative perspective, what recent (Trump era) political issues you believe people you disagree with are / were using “different facts” fron the “facts” on which your opinions are based? I am not (entirely) trolling I genuinely want to hear your examples where the above quote might apply to those with whom you disagree.
To answer your question, I have many people in my life with whom I disagree with politically. This includes immediate family, close friends, not so close friends, ex-team mate friends, co-workers who I respect, and others. With some I do discuss politics and it is usually civil. With some—mainly family—I make sure they know where I stand but I generally avoid discussing politics with them (I have found the family discussions tend to get out of hand more often than discussions with friends...I am not sure why that is though).
What I have learned the most from those I have engaged in conversation is that our disagreements are generally about what we feel is the fundamental role of governement. My honest belief—knowing these folks I disagree with well—is that they are well meaning and doing/voting what they think is the best thing for them and their loved ones.
I hate everyone equally and the earth is flat
Unless your friends are on American Family Radio or Mother Jones all day their views are probably not that extreme.
I work in RE development - It's comforting to see how quick political views can shift when self interest come into play.
Trump supporters don't have friends. They have echo-chambers.
I have plenty of friends on the other end of the political spectrum. I have no issues with their political views that are based on policy and reasoning. But also, none of them are jerks who espouse racist and ignorant views, they recognize the different between being a Republican and being a part of the radical right that has overtaken the Republican party.
Saying you're Republican automatically gets you hated on by everyone. That shouldn't happen. It's a pity the Republican party has been represented by Trump.
I have no issues with people who have conservative ideals and perspectives. I have problems with those who still call themselves Republicans while Trump continues to destroy the reputation of both parties.
In a similar vein, I don't like saying I'm Democratic anymore. I have liberal ideals when it comes to politics, but the Democratic party has been enslaved by this movement of responding viciously to anything and everything said by those with an "R" near their name. Some is it is qualified, but rarely is it necessary or good-natured. Dark humor can no longer exist at this point. Don't get me wrong, I believe safe spaces should exist and mental health is an issue. But good-natured "banter" where every party recognizes the sarcastic nature of conversation doesn't need to be shot down in a firestorm of targeted media that's veiled behind a defense of "public etiquette."