Can one actually "build consensus" with the close-minded?

[Duer 157099]

See, that's the problem I have with the hypothesis that if only Conservatives had it explained to them, then they would understand and be reasonable.

Have we ever--EVER--seen evidence of this?

What did we learn from the health care reform debate? That if we talk and explained enough and compromised enough, that they'd get on board with us? Did we learn that?

So what I'm really asking is: why do we need a "consensus builder" on the Supreme Court? Does anyone really believe that the right-wingers there just never had anyone to convince them of the errors of their ways?

I will place a bet now that Kagan will not EVER, not once, change the minds of any of the conservatives on the court. Never. Will you take that bet?

[depakid]

1. If you give them damn near everything they want

and make it appear that they'll get everything they want even if its proven to be failed and dysfunctional and is diametrically opposed to what your own policy goals are.

[FLAprogressive]

3. +1

[defendandprotect]

2. Well, there may be a growing belief in giving them ....

some pot?

That might help?

:evilgrin:

[FlyByNight]

4. Been wondering about this "consensus" argument too

There are at least 3 virtual fascists on the Court now (4 including Thomas, who's nothing but Scalia's lapdog). How does one "build consensus" with them? And didn't Kennedy vote with the plaintiff in Bush v. Gore?

:eyes:

[jody]

5. There are some issues for which consensus is impossible, e.g. abortion, same-sex marriage. n/t

[mrcheerful]

6. Sorry but conservaturds will never ever question their beliefs no matter who or what proof

is given them. Look at how they are able to take JFK's "ask not what your country can do for you" speech and twist it to give it a conservanut tone, never mind that the speech was written to encourage youth to volunteer for the peace crops, you know one of those liberal programs to help the poor in other countries without the blood shed. Or how they twist Thomas Jefferson's writings to show a conservanut belief.

Same with books, if they find something in a book that proves a fact, they blow it off as the rantings of a liberal, no matter who wrote the book. You are talking about a group of people that have never contributed to the country in over 200 years. All they have done was take the glory for a liberals hard work.

[Atticus]

7. I understand your concern and believe it to be justified. However, it may be possible that

helping to unify four votes with an opinion that is so logical, so well-grounded in precedent and so resonant with shared "American" values that one of the Wingnut Five, (Kennedy?) will be shamed into signing onto it.

I understand this presumes a vestigial conscience.

Five-four works both ways.

[ashling]

8. Consensus building requires good faith from BOTH sides

not just from ours.

[DefenseLawyer]

9. If "consensus" means screw the people and compromise our principles on behalf of the powerful

Then yes, I see a lot of consensus in our future.

[msongs]

10. so who is the most famous US politician who has NOT learned this lesson yet? nt