The Sounds of Silence

[Aurielius]

Just wondering if anyone else avoids having a political discussion with friends and family, even those that are theoretically on the same side as you. Several months back I made the conscious decision not to discuss politics with anyone I knew and liked because this is the most divisive election in my lifetime. Oddly enough the most vehement arguments were with other conservatives not liberals.

[HeyYou]

I will avoid bringing up the topic myself, but, if it does come up, I will voice my opinions, and pretty much leave it at that.... Of course, most of my friends and I are on the same page anyway......

 

I avoid the topic with my parents like it is radioactive.... We do NOT share the same views. :D

[TheMastersSon]

World travelers know to avoid any country during election years. Some are much worse than others, but it still boils down to half of a country regularly getting together to yell and point fingers at the other half, and orchestrated stupidity reaches ascendency. So I steer clear of all discussions and requests for opinions from family and friends, especially in election years, and when politely possible I stop them when they start telling me theirs. It's saved countless and utterly pointless emotional upheavals in my life, but it's also cost me a few friends.. The policy acts as an effective filter for wingnuts of all types.

Edited September 2, 2016 by TheMastersSon

[Lisnpuppy]

I just told my cousin in an email that if she voted a certain way, I was coming to Tennessee and knocking some sense into her. :P

[Beriallord]

It's easy for me. All the people worth talking to in my family are voting for Donald Trump. My family is centered around a traditional patriarchy, where my grandfather is the head of the clan pretty much. Drama is kept to down to a dull roar at best, and nobody brings any to family gatherings.

[modder3434]

I don't see much of my extended family. Once every two to three years if I was lucky, because my brother and I grew up in a military family and we moved all the time.

 

So as far as my extended family goes i don't see them enough to warrant bringing up the political debate and possibly ruining what relationships we have.

 

The only exception is my uncle, who follows me on Facebook and posts all sorts of right-wing stuff. He wasn't for trump when it started but i think that is who he is leaning towards now.

 

So in my immediate family My father and I are for Trump. Not sure who my mom will vote for, but it won't be Clinton, so maybe Trump or a third party candidate. As for my brother...he is the smartest guy i know, and he was not a fan of Trump's early on, but now I'm not sure.

 

I doubt he and my sister-in-law will vote Clinton...but I don't see them warming up to Trump. Maybe they will vote for Gary Johnson. I hope not cause that is votes for a lost cause, I know historically that third parties just made it easier for one of the main parties to win, but history isn't my brother's forte.

[vixsyn]

Most of my family is liberal, I was raised liberal, I am liberal. So family wise it's ok, though any conservative tendancies tend to be frowned upon.

 

I have friends who are conservative. We don't discuss politics much. Tends to lead to people getting upset!

[sunshinenbrick]

Depends who it is. I have always found though that people's views are quite varied and often cannot be pinned to any particular party... Unless of course they are already 'hand in glove' but then it is often not worth it anyway! Although it might be good for 'testing' or research purposes :laugh:

Also what was liberal 20 years ago is a conservative manifesto now, and sometimes what was conservative back in the day is considered liberally 'extreme' now... It's kinda funny if it didn't have such an impact on our lives.

I find myself in the middle of the Venn diagram in many situations and also have had debates with people that have made me question or even change my mind on things, both towards the 'left' and 'right' :D

It all depends on context and while it can be hard to articulate complex thoughts on complex issues, it can also be a case of people hearing what they want to hear... It can be a long road and sometimes they can go in different directions, but I guess it is somewhat important otherwise it becomes increasingly meaningless.

As for 'silence'... well a lot can be said without actually saying anything.

[Signette]

It is the best not to discuss politics with anyone you know or family, but at the same time it's probably the hardest thing to do. I'm generally trying to avoid it, but sometimes when I have to, I'm trying to be very flexible about it, though I gotta admit, most heated arguments I can remember were on political topics.

[HeyYou]

It is the best not to discuss politics with anyone you know or family, but at the same time it's probably the hardest thing to do. I'm generally trying to avoid it, but sometimes when I have to, I'm trying to be very flexible about it, though I gotta admit, most heated arguments I can remember were on political topics.

Try discussing religion with family members that hold different views than you......