When talking Politics or money people tend to start attacking those who are trying to argue against what they believe. What I mean by that is that people have very emotional connections to their beliefs and when holes are punched in them, they lash out at the attacker. This holds true on the right or the left, and center.
My family is rather Apolitical. I correctly called the disaster that GW would be to our county back in 2000 at a family dinner party. (I said he would start a war, run up a deficit we had never seen, divide the country like it was 1968 all over again and lead us to economic ruin. I had no idea how right I was. I did not see 9/11, I though it would be North Korea.) I am a republican, and people were shocked. I was very young then, and alot of my family used the “your too young to know” argument against me. There is no defence against that argument cept to wait it out and see if you are right or not. (I called them out on it too) Now I get phone calls from siblings and parents and cousins when voting to explain the ramifications of each ballot measure and each politicians stances on the issues. They want me to tell them the right choice, but I wont do that. They are all adults and need to make that choice for themselves. What I will do is help them seperate the person and the issue, something that politicans today make very hard.
Money is harder than politics in my opnion. The problem is most politics is Money. Go for the issues, talk in level headed tones and never challenge someone with “you cant know” or “dont be stupid”. I have found that most people use those to make a point and then are shocked at the negative responses they get back.
Also, people are selfish. Try looking at whatever you are talking about from their point of view. Find what matters to them, (Ie, eduction, taxes, health care) and show them WHY they are missing something. “Teachers teach to tests because you are so worried about getting _____ into only the best colleges. Let him learn and see what college is best for him and theyll start truley teaching again.”
If she is full of dubious facts call them out on it, use the internet. I did that with my roommate so many times in discussions one time he said in disgust “What, do you like making me feel WRONG all the time?” I just responded that “No, I dont want good friends who I care about, to have bad information.” I wanted him to know it wasnt him I was poking holes in. He has changed some views, and holds onto others. I have to admit I have changed some too. That is why you discuss these things, to LEARN, not to prove yourself right or them wrong.
