There's a lot of demoralized Republicans in my office today.

[apnu]

24. Interesting notions

For #1. I do that. I've learned that, when you remove discussing a specific politician or party and just start talking about issues we are not very far from each other. We both don't like high unemployment, we both don't like debt, we both don't like the rigged financial system. I try to show them that Democrats aren't the demons their Fox News makes them out to be. I've found that the discussion then, becomes very reasonable and constructive.

#2 I tell them to turn off the TV, and if they get a news story, they should look for the same story on another site, one that doesn't have the same bias that their original article produced. From there, the common points will be the actual truth and the divergent points are the opinion injected into the piece. They don't like the time sink that generates, but I remind them that on the important issues, its best to slow down and really think it over before deciding anything.

#3 This is hard. They have a whole ecosystem of information that they circle around amongst themselves. I've seen a lot of it and most of it is devoid sources, and if there's a source its very dubious. Like Krauthammer says blah, blah, blah. They have a very poor sense of what is a fact and what is an opinion. I have a special Fuck You stored for Fox News for blurring this line.

#4 These guys are financial types, the long game is very difficult for them to conceptualize. But I do try to get them to see it. I try to get them to agree on topics like: who wants a polluted America? Who wants dirty drinking water and filthy parks? Who wants to leave that sludge for our kids? Once they agree in principle, I gently, try to guide them around to more environmental awareness. I try to let them come to this realization on their own. Nobody likes someone preaching, so the quickest way to get them to ignore me is to give them a lecture.

#5 I don't think they know how their local people are. I have not heard of them volunteering their time for elections or attending community meetings that aren't the PTA. One guy likes to troll his town's message boards, but that's because it amuses him to make fun of his own town. Another guy gets very excited about the election, but in a super fan sense, the kind that always goes to the Super Bowl no matter who is in it. But that's the extent of their volunteerism. However, I will see if they know who their local reps are and remind them they're welcome to chatter at them anytime. Being involved, even if it is just writing the occasional letter to a state senator or Congress critter, is important.