Going to a dinner w/Republicans tonight. Need help with facts.

[AllieB]

DH and I are going to be the lone Dems at a dinner party tonight. I have not been paying attention to much lately, due to fear of losing my job and working ridiculous hours. Normally I'm up on the latest information regarding the stimulus etc. These folks are going to blame Barney Frank for everything, point to Wall Street bailouts in the Stimulus, and quote Fox News. I'm not looking forward to arguments but I know I'll be pointing out who controlled Congress since 1995 (it wasn't Barney Frank) while deregulatory legislation was passed. The one thing I'm not clear on is the stimulus. Can someone help me here? Thanks.

[spanone]

1. don't worry, republicans don't do facts

[Turbineguy]

2. Tell them you're not up to date

from all the anxiety over your job.

It's true and nobody can argue. And it really says it all.

Then if somebody says you'll probably lose your job because those commie-socialists have taken over, tell them you are more hopeful for the next four years.

You are not going to change their minds. Only they can do that.

[Warpy]

12. Exactly, and change the subject

because Limbaugh is ruining your dinner.

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Deregulation: Republican Congress Under Clinton.

Almost no Democrats voted for deregulation, but Clinton immediately signed it and handed the signing pen to the CEO of Citi Group (true story).

[Joanne98]

4. The three best articles on the crisis

The End
http://www.portfolio.com/news-markets/national-news/portfolio/2008/11/11/The-End-of-Wall-Streets-Boom

What Cooked the World's Economy?
http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-01-28/news/what-cooked-the-world-s-economy/

The Big Takeover
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/26793903/the_big_takeover

Those are the best articles so far. Print them and take them.

The stimulus IS spending something they don't understand.

The republicans pushed for de-regulation for 30 years. They got it in the 90's. It's their fault. I wouldn't argue with them. It's a waste of time. Just give them the info.

[MADem]

5. Facts: Aren't these hors d'ouvres delicious? Is that mushroom in there?

Isn't this wine just wonderful? It's got a number of levels to the taste! My, isn't that a nice suit/dress/necklace you're wearing? That color suits you!!

Politics? Oh, I don't talk politics at dinner parties...it's rude to the hosts! Why spoil such a lovely dinner with talk of politics? How's your oldest child doing in school? Will the snow ever melt, do you suppose? Oh, my poor dog has come up lame, she's getting old. Did you watch the hockey game the other night?

Just refuse to engage. After enough rebuffs, they'll stop. Or they'll look like boors.

[dem629]

7. GREAT suggestions!

I have found that if you don't take the right-wing bait, they stop. And a bonus -- you know they're frustrated. Heh heh.

[Mira]

19. I would choke myself on purpose instead

[Stevenmarc]

6. A little Syrup of ipecac in their cocktails will keep the topic off politics

[AllieB]

8. Thanks everyone. I'm bringing some TUMS just in case.

It always amazes me how supposedly intelligent people don't have any idea how Congress works-the majority party in the House controls everything-and blame the Dems.

[rocktivity]

9. This might help

Rachel Maddow explains the financial crisis for you. Don't let them get away with them blaming it on regulations!

:headbang:
rocktivity

[JSK]

14. Great link

Rachel is the best.

[rocktivity]

23. The video is now on YouTube.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=287127&mesg_id=287127

You're welcome.

:headbang:
rockivity

[rock]

10. When they present a statement

Say, "that's a lie". You'll be right over 99 44/100 % of the time.

[AllieB]

11. I usually say 'factual error' in polite company.

:-)

[Champion Jack]

13. Lots of good stuff here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8278459&mesg_id=8278459


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8278475&mesg_id=8278475

[C......N......C]

15. Ask their opinion on taxes.

They don't want to pay taxes. Watch them explain to you the ways to get poor people to pay the majority of taxes. Suggest we do away with taxes altogether. Ask how we will get the streets paved. I guess I have been no help, but I wish I had the chance to talk. LOL

[47of74]

16. I would've come up with some excuse not to go

[ConcernedCanuk]

17. Stay home and have a romantic evening with DH

.
.
.

Plead the vapors, cramps, whatever


staying home might be more enjoyable

[PCIntern]

18. Here's a fact:

there are only two kinds of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.

[pearl]

20. Largest Middle Class Tax Cut in History

Are they against tax cuts? If you choose to engage.

Bush did Not keep us safe. 10,000 Americans (conservative estimate) died on Bush's watch.
9/11, Afghanistan, Iraq, Katrina. Is that keeping us safe?

[pretzel4gore]

21. tell the what Che Guevera once said...

he said 'Nothing fails like success when working for the devil' and truly it can be agreed the devil is running the world and God has fled because this planet and species are so abject failures

[Ghost in the Machine]

22. Fact: They'll probably try to stick *you* with the bill....

... keep your eyes open, and make sure you're not in the bathroom when the bill comes.. they'll all leave and leave you to pay for everything.

[Doctor_J]

24. Why? They won't listen to them or believe them

Anyone who is still Republican should be declared Brain Dead. Don't waste your breath. I would also consider cancelling and giving the money you would have spent to a worthy cause like Media Matters

[The Wizard]

25. Ask for the source of their information

then barf on the table if they say they got from one of the usual suspects: Drudge, Pox News, Limbaugh, etc....Explain that when you hear those names you get sick.

[The Wizard]

26. Ask for the source of their information

then barf on the table if they say they got from one of the usual suspects: Drudge, Pox News, Limbaugh, etc....Explain that when you hear those names you get sick.

[GalleryGod]

27. Here's a better Idea

Skip the feckin' dinner!
:toast:

[Skittles]

28. tell them to fuck themselves

[Toucano]

29. They are blaming the poor on Fox.

It's the poor people's fault for defaulting on the half a million dollar mortgages for the 100 grand houses.

The crafty poor deceived the generous, kindly bankers with grossly misstated income reports. The sad and undereducated, ever helpful and polite bankers didn't think it would be good to ask the unwashed, deadbeat poor people for W-2's. Sometimes, they didn't even call the loser's supposed employer to verify employment because they wanted to HELP those miserable people achieve the American dream of home ownership. The defenseless bankers don't even have the actual paperwork anymore. They didn't think they'd ever need it!

Good guys: Bankers
Bad guys: Poor people, especially those helped by Acorn (who helped Obama steal the election)

[Enthusiast]

30. There was a letter to the editor

in my local newspaper explaining it just this way. This official Republican explanation has the most often repeated explanation in the MSM. Pathetic.

[rucky]

31. Bring an expensive bottle of wine...

and announce that you're there to help them maintain their lifestyle.