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kwolf68 (6,346 posts)A weekend with Conservative parentsSo I visited them for about 4 days and learned a lot. Overall it was a wonderful time, some real quality time talking about the old days and enjoying time with them, but of course I could not avoid it morphing into a Trump rally now and then. I figured I'd share some of their excellent, well thought out arguments. I am sure after seeing these most will log off of DU and become Republican. Mind you there was plenty more and much of this is paraphrased, but this stuff really stands out. It really makes me sad honestly.Step-Father: "I love AOC she's so hilarious because everything she says is so stupid it just makes me laugh"Me: "Hmmm. I don't know much about her, but what has she said that was so stupid?"S-F: Everything[he's right.] Step-Father talking about multicultural barbies: It was just idle bitching and moaning that barbie would make barbies of different ethnicityMe: Well it's certainly not one of my main issues, but not sure I see a problem telling women of different colors, races, religions, etc. that they too are beautiful. I know you see this as the "Liberalization" of America, but I just can't see why this is badStep-Father: Not everyone can be blondeMe: That's kinda my point. Who declared blonde as prettier?Step-Father: The fact men are attracted to blondes[barbies? ... OMG! Is this ****stain talking about BABIES!?!] oh, and why do all the black guys date blond women?Step-Father: The Electoral College is a great thing, it makes sure the tyranny of the majority does not take placeMe: Yea kinda funny it came out of catering to the slaves statesStep-Father: What are you talking aboutMe: Ever hear of the 3/5 compromise?[ the 3/5th thing was put in there because the south (being democrats) wanted to count slaves as population for house seats but not give them the vote. This would have made the south outnumber the populations of the north (total US pop in 1860 was 31.1 million, with 4 million slaves held by 400,000 persons... or 13% of the total US population were slaves. The population of the Union was 18.5 million. In the Confederacy, the population was listed as 5.5 million free and 3.5 million enslaved. In the Border States there were 2.5 million free inhabitants and 500,000 enslaved people. ]Step-Father: Rabid lecture on health care, ending with "they will take away your insurance"Me: ****ing good. What I and dare I say most Americans really want is health care.[ of course you do]Mother: "I don't like the way he can be an asshole, but Trump has done more for this country than any President"Me: "Like What"Mother: "What did Obama do?"Mother: "What do you think of Warren?"Me: "Well she's not Trump for one and I really love the fact she's talking about corruption and the influence of money in politics"Mother: "She doesn't have the experience"Me: So what kind of experience did Trump haveMother: "I don't want to talk about it:Mother: "Democrats are just spend thrifts"Me: Actually mom the federal deficit went down under Obama and has increased under TrumpMother: I do not believe that. Where are you getting your facts?Me: cranking to non partisan website to show her the factsMother: I don't want to talk about itMother: It's all racists here in Virginia, black racists and they want to take down the Civil War monumentsMe: Well for starters mom I could give a shit about statues, but where are these statues locatedMother: RichmondMe: You don't live there why do you care? Perhaps the people of Richmond would like them movedMother: It's getting rid of historyMe: No it's not, it's getting rid of statuesMother: There are a lot of people who oppose itMe: You mean Conservatives in the outlying counties surrounding RichmondMother: yesMe: So you guys in the country want to tell people in the big city how to live?Mother: Lets drop itMe: Why don't you counties ban together, raise some taxes and buy the monuments, and stick them in a museum? I am sure Richmond will give you a good deal.Mother: Just drop itAt dinner, we had a black waitressMother: Where is our bread I bet if we were the right color we'd get servedMe: Looking around. Mom I think they are understaffed every time I see her she's working really hardOther notables:I am not racist at all, at church every time I see Person A (who is black) I give her a hug.Talking about how she's a good teacher at bible study, my mom says, "the kids really love me I even had a black boy sit up in my lap". My response was, "why are you telling me he was black?"In a rare moment of clarity mom mentions the segregation of the south, remembering how black people could not sit with white people, she genuinely did not like this, but then ****s it all up by saying, "but today, the blacks blame everything on racism"Me: Is it possible blacks have been discriminated against even today?Mom: Yes, but it's rare, it's like always yelling police brutality.Me: You do realize unarmed black men have been murdered by cops don't you?Mom: That's ridiculous, these people are criminalsMe: How do you know they were criminals? Even if they were criminals do you support shooting unarmed victims who have their hands up?Mom: Oh come onMe: Mom, it's on VIDEO, or do you propose now that I am exposing your nonsense for us to drop it?Mom: Yes lets drop it.Me: So you do not wish to see the videos of unarmed black men being gunned down?Mom: No I don't want to seeMe: Then can you please never ever state anything about police attacks on black people until you're at least willing to see the other sideMom: I am able to see all sidesMe: Then please explain to be ONE SINGLE Liberal perspective, your choice. You may not agree with it, but just explain to me what Liberals want to accomplish with any issue of your choice.TOTAL Silence, She never could come up with anyMy parents are pretty much gone. I hope to survive Christmas and have asked my wife to avoid politics at all costs.
kwolf68 (6,346 posts) 4. Thanks friendThe absolute lack of intellectual curiosity is what is most scary. They are late 70s now, doubt they change their minds, but it sad they don't even engage on any level approaching rational discourse.My wife wants to prod. My wife's parents are frustrating her as well, but not nearly as political. We think her mother is a closet Liberal, but her dad is "old school" Republican, in that he distrusts big business, wants to protect the environment, and is very at ease and open minded with our gay friends, but also said "I raised you wrong" when my wife said she loved Senator Warren.She wants to put Warren sign in our yard and put Michelle Obama's book on our coffee table. I am trying to keep her from not doing either as I just want to avoid political shit during the Holidays.
Star Member calimary (53,839 posts) 44. Nonstop 24/7/365 hate radio since the mid-80s helped nail that down.The detestable limbaugh even gave them permission to dumb down.I swear I heard him saying it on the radio, with my own ears: “you don’t even have to think. IIIII’LL do the thinking FOOOOORRRRRR you!”I remember gaping at the radio in disbelief, and thinking “the HELL you will, asshole!”A+ for effort and initiative, kwolf68! You stuck with it on every subject in til THEY gave up!
maxsolomon (19,701 posts) 2. Ah, it resonates. You kept at it though; you're stronger than me.Last visit home, I asked my 83-year old Dad for one example of Antifa violence after he brought up "Leftist Violence". He came up with Andy Ngo getting a milkshake throw at him (widely hyped on Fox). I countered with the Portland Max Train Proud Boy MURDERS to say the violence wasn't equivalent, instantly called up video, wiki, etc. He wouldn't look, wouldn't accept what I said, admitted he didn't believe me.I'm not a 20 year old campus radical, either; I'm ****ing 55.Conservative's stupid beliefs run into a wall at the very 1st question you put to them. It's what I preach to our fellow Librulz at every chance: don't harangue, ask them to explain it to you. They literally cannot.
kwolf68 (6,346 posts) 6. Yep you got it.I tried to tell my wife this is how we handle them, should politics come up simply ask inquisitive questions. And as you state, they just can't explain it.I really believe this is "AM Radio mentality" where the Conservative mind is all transmit and no receive. On top of that is a healthy dose of blind faith. Even if presented with facts that counter their narrative, they either question the validity of the facts or simply abstain from hearing them.It's mentally retarding on every level. Only thing I can hope for is a few of my points settle in their brain. But I kinda doubt it, I have a science background and NOT ONE TIME have their ever asked me about a science issue (such as climate change). Her their educated son with a background and passion for environmental issues and they DO NOT even care to engage me to possibly learn something. It's a joke.
Ohiogal (10,947 posts) 10. Wow! Thanks for your excellent post.You wrote so well, and I recognized many of the stupid things I have heard from my conservative relatives through the years, many of which have since passed away.Re AOC: "We laugh at her, she's so stupid. If this is what represents our future generations, God help us."Another one I recognized: "We'd get better service, but we're the wrong color." And people who say this claim to be good Christians. I could hear my sis saying this. Yet she has a "black friend" and she attends Catholic mass every Sunday.And: "Why do black people make everything about race? Any time they don't get their way, it's "Because I'm Black"! Maybe because it usually IS about race???And, often, "Democrats just want to tax us working people to death so they can give it all away to lazy people who don't want to work." I hear this one A LOT. And you know who they mean by "lazy people who don't want to work."Also lots of bitching about how everything has to be "politically correct."And "I HATE that phrase "for the common good'!"I feel your pain, kwolf68. Shallow thinking, closed minds, belief in white supremacy, etc. They just don't get it. You did well to put up with that for a whole weekend and not go crazy!
Star Member Moral Compass (746 posts) 13. Many of us can relate...I remember the arguments with my parents and my paternal grandmother over race.It didn’t go well. It never went well. Alcohol didn’t help.It got ugly. The arguments were circular and based on nothing but raw emotion. Nobody would ever admit to being a racist.And this was before Fox.Still I miss them all.
Star Member gopiscrap (19,280 posts) 31. I would say **** Christmas when my in laws went on and on about how wonderful Reagan was, we didn't go back and see them or phone, talk or write for 12 years. Their first grandchild was 8 years old before they ever saw him and then we only stayed for 45 minutes.
onlyadream (1,879 posts) 35. Wow - this could be me and my momI gave up when she plugged her ears and said, "La la la la."I realized then that she just wanted to hear her own side. It's so sad.
blm (100,460 posts) 38. Tyranny of the minority is OK with Republicans
The Proud Boys didn't murder anyone- even if you google it.
Ohiogal (10,947 posts) 10. Wow! Thanks for your excellent post.You wrote so well, and I recognized many of the stupid things I have heard from my conservative relatives through the years, many of which have since passed away.And, often, "Democrats just want to tax us working people to death so they can give it all away to lazy people who don't want to work." I hear this one A LOT. And you know who they mean by "lazy people who don't want to work."
That, and the guy brings Andy Ngo "having a milkshake thrown at him" (as if that were the extent of it), but didn't mention that Ngo had subarachnoid hemorrhaging. Hmmm...Also, it's not hard to come up with examples of so-called "antifascists" attacking people basically indiscriminately and threatening and vandalizing businesses.
Star Member calimary (53,839 posts)44. Nonstop 24/7/365 hate radio since the mid-80s helped nail that down.The detestable limbaugh even gave them permission to dumb down.I swear I heard him saying it on the radio, with my own ears: “you don’t even have to think. IIIII’LL do the thinking FOOOOORRRRRR you!”
You're too stupid to realize that Rush is only joking.
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