How to Deal With Crazy Republican Relatives

So you’re looking forward to the holidays and some family get-togethers. But you are reminded of the last time when you were confronted with an uncomfortable situation with one or more Republican relatives who decided to pontificate to a captive audience. Maybe it was about President Obama, maybe it was about “liberals” in general. You thought at the time that they use the word “liberal” like it was a bad thing. But you are proud of being a liberal, and furthermore, you are right.

So you are asking yourself, “How do I deal with my crazy Republican relatives? What do I do when my crazy conservative relatives start their crap?”

You are not alone. Millions of liberals, moderates, independents, and other Democrats all across the country are asking themselves the same thing.

Confrontation is a Republican tactic.

Realize that no amount of factual evidence will get them to change their mind. Remember, they did not come to their current beliefs because of careful analysis and study. They didn’t weigh the evidence and decide that the Republican position is most supported by the facts. No matter how well informed you are, no matter how logical your reasoning, it is very unlikely that it will get through to them.

It’s OK to say that you don’t accept FOX talking points as fact.

Once you realize that no minds will be changed, you begin to feel a sense of freedom. Say this to yourself “No minds will be changed today”. In other words, it doesn’t matter whether you argue with them, or walk away. It’s very freeing, so have fun with it.

For example, count the number of times they accuse Democrats of exactly the things of which Republicans are guilty. So when they say “Democrats are running up the deficit”, that’s one. (Two unfunded wars, and the Bush Tax cuts for the wealthy ran up the deficit.) Counting them out loud might also be fun!

Conservatives like to sit around trying to “one up” each other to prove they are more conservative. Why not join in! But don’t be constrained by the latest neocon talking points. Or reality - they certainly aren’t! See if you can make up equally bizarre talking points of your own. Be so bizarre that they actually look at you like you are crazy. You know, the way you look at them when they say Obama is from Kenya. They may not even realize that you are making fun of them. Either way, you win!

Republicans have no sense of hypocrisy. Even though they are quick to point out hypocrisy of Democrats (whether real or imagined), Republicans are genetically immune to their own hypocrisy, or the hypocrisy of other Republicans.

The important thing is to not be afraid to do what you want.