How do you deal with those who's political positions you agree with, but not their reasons?

Question

By this I mean people that clearly aren't educated or informed enough to defend their political/social/economic views, even though they may share your conclusions.

For example, I'm a liberal. But it just annoys me when I speak with people that are ALSO pro-choice, in favor of welfare and gun control, affirmative action, etc..., and they clearly haven't taken the time and effort to research or investigate those topics. They just repeat whatever the radio told them on the way to work that morning.

Liberal, conservative, independent, whatever; I have a lot more respect if you are informed and can back up your points of view, not because you happen to agree with me.

Do you sometimes just want to sit them in a corner, hand them a yo-yo and a comic book and tell them that they're just not helping by being ignorant, no matter what their position is?

Sorry, that was a rant. Won't happen again. Promise. I mean it this time.

Truthsayer: Read over your previous posts, and thank you for helping to prove my point by completely missing it.

Answer 1

First of all, I'm a traditionalist conservative. I have often run into problems with this from people who are either so polarized (on either side of the aisle), or those who just don't pay attention, and are so disallusioned that they are totally appathetic. I find that the best way to deal with these people is to find the issue that they seem to be most passionate about, and ask them WHY they feel that they do. Often they are unable to articulate a rational for their position. At that point I suggest that they research the issue from both sides.(there are great non-partisan online resources for this)

At that point most people will either actually decide to become better informed, so that they can actually stand up for their belief, or they will become indignate, and not further any conversation with you. Hey, either way its one less person to deal with who is like that. I have seen people who have strengthend their positions, and become more involved, and also seen people who have changed their views after this, and at least done so with information, and personal views, as opposed to simply regurgation of someone elses view.

I feel that the most important part of this, is that they get both sides of the issue. So that the person doing research is making an honest, informed decision, and better able to defend their view in a discussion. Otherwise it is simply a narrow view, more furthering the appearance of ignorance.

By the statement you have made, in your question, I feel that although our views are different, we both feel that an informed, honest debate is the best way to advance a belief.
More people like that would be refreshing.

Answer 2

I hear you loud and clear. Alot of times I think we are all guilty of allowing morons to stand in our shadows, simply because both sides need the numbers, and there is strength in numbers, sadly.
I know the right is aware of the monsters they have festering on the outer fringes of their political agenda (the klan, american nazi party, aryan nations, christian separatists, militia movement, etc) but they would rather ignore them, or sweep them under the carpet simply because they need those votes. Right wing hate radio is another cancer, too, but it keeps the addled minions in line, and they do it very effectively.
The Left is crippled by the knee jerk campus liberalism that is the root cause of most of the damaging stereotypes we have to suffer with (anti gun, anti bible, etc etc etc)

I have personally taken people aside at rallies, meetings, etc and let them have it for being uninformed loudmouths who embarrass not just our candidate / party, but are actually doing far more harm than good.

Answer 3

YES! I'm a liberal and a christian and I swear if I hear one more person quote Pascal's wager or say they are a Christian "because the bible says so" I'm going to scream!

Or if someone assumes because I'm one, I must not be the other....

I think the biggest threat to this country is not republicans or any other party, but people who blindly follow one group or another because they were told too or based on one issue.

I have a friend that always votes Republican because she's "pro life," but if you asked her how she felt about gun control, immigration, taxes, healthcare, and a litany of other things she'd align herself with democrats...

And then you have people like John McCain who give his honest opinion whether it aligns with his party or not, but people criticise him... and if he dare change his opinion due to more knowledge, people think he's "flip flopping"

People are so ignorant and uninformed, it's freightening....

Answer 4

its hard to be around people who can't bakc up what they believe in. I normally try to have a good set of reasons for why I do or do not support an issue. there are times where my reasoning has been wrong/incorrect, not very strong of a case, or difficult to explain. sometimes I also support or oppose an issue based on one thing- like trying to limit gov control- and not the issue itself

Answer 5

If you're in favor of gun control in welfare then YOU haven't fully investigated those topics either.