Christmas Dinner Political Conversations?

[Matt Collins]

So tonight I had Christmas dinner with my family and some fellow Republican / conservative friends. None of which were Ron Paul supporters, I think they all voted for McCain, Huckabee, or Romney. However they all tended to echo almost verbatim Ron's platform. I was amazed. They even spoke about how Obama is going to violate the Constitution.

We are making an impact, too bad we weren't able to do this in advance of Ron's run in order to lay the groundwork for his candidacy.



What were your Christmas dinner political conversations like?

[heavenlyboy34]

So tonight I had Christmas dinner with my family and some fellow Republican / conservative friends. None of which were Ron Paul supporters, I think they all voted for McCain, Huckabee, or Romney. However they all tended to echo almost verbatim Ron's platform. I was amazed. They even spoke about how Obama is going to violate the Constitution.

We are making an impact, too bad we weren't able to do this in advance of Ron's run in order to lay the groundwork for his candidacy.



What were your Christmas dinner political conversations like?

I try to avoid political discussion at Christmas dinner. I always wind up starting a fight, being the black sheep and all. ;):eek:

[liberalnurse]

I was told by my son that my nephew walked into the kitchen during one of my "rants" about the erosion of our liberties and freedom and he just smiled and walked back out. They're used to it..

[Matt Collins]

I try to avoid political discussion at Christmas dinner. I always wind up starting a fight, being the black sheep and all. ;):eek:
I do too.. But this time I didn't start it, someone else did. After the political "season" this year it was inevitable in many if not most households that the conversation would eventually end up at politics.

[tremendoustie]

So tonight I had Christmas dinner with my family and some fellow Republican / conservative friends. None of which were Ron Paul supporters, I think they all voted for McCain, Huckabee, or Romney. However they all tended to echo almost verbatim Ron's platform. I was amazed. They even spoke about how Obama is going to violate the Constitution.

We are making an impact, too bad we weren't able to do this in advance of Ron's run in order to lay the groundwork for his candidacy.



What were your Christmas dinner political conversations like?

The key is going to be to get them to actually vote for a candidate that matches the rhetoric. I've listened to Rush over the years some, used to more than I do now, and the more abstract he is, the better he is. He'll wax philosophical about liberty, freedom, and the constitution, and then tell you to vote for John McCain, and support Bush.

That's the game they play, I'm not some big conspiracy guy, I just think it's about party loyalty -- they pretend that's what the republican party is about, but the candidates and political actions never seem to match the rhetoric and supposed principles.

I think the key step is for those friends and family (if they're like the general public) to be willing to apply their brains to analyze issues and candidates based on the principles they say they believe in, rather than by what some talk host or political pundit says.

[constitutional]

Political conversations are impossible for me with friends and family. I make sense, 100%. But still, they think I'm an idiot and 100% wrong.

:mad:

[Matt Collins]

That's the game they play, I'm not some big conspiracy guy, I just think it's about party loyalty -- they pretend that's what the republican party is about, but the candidates and political actions never seem to match the rhetoric and supposed principles.
I work in talk radio as a producer, so I have a fairly good understanding of how it works.

The hosts simply don't want to be excluded or left out in the cold. They don't want to be blacklisted or shunned by the Party. They want to be able to do interviews with key players, and they want access to inside information. And that is the only reason they tow the party / establishment line. It isn't a conspiracy, they just don't want to be the odd man out. Savage of course is an exception to this but he's the largest so he doesn't count :p

[mediahasyou]

They vote oppositely because of the media. Those in power of the media, are in power of the democracy.

[mediahasyou]

p.s. all the relatives opposed the bailouts.

[satchelmcqueen]

well last christmas and every holiday between then and this past thanksgiving i always somehow wound up talking about the economy and the fed reserve and all of that but as time went on i just got tired of talking to the same clueless sheep who will say wind up saying...

"yeah you are right, that makes sense....but all i know is etc etc b.s. b.s. but our gov will never let things get that bad, so i just dont worry about it"

at this years christmas dinner, almost everyone wound up talking about the economy and all other topics involved and actually asked me what was going to happen next since i was right on the money (thanks to mr paul)... so i just said, "well ive been trying to tell you guys for a year now to wake up and you didnt believe me so...go find the info yourselves, you know how i feel about it all anyway" and just left it at that.

talk about a scared and shocked look on their faces. it seems that with most people that once you say so much you just have to cut the rope so they will dig the info up themselves.

it seems that the biggest issue was the bailouts that have really gotten to even the most sheepish of people who are now looking to those who have been telling the tale of ron paulish views over the last 2 years.

funny, ive went from "conspiracy anti gov family member" to "this guy just might know what hes talking about" guy.

[tremendoustie]

I work in talk radio as a producer, so I have a fairly good understanding of how it works.

The hosts simply don't want to be excluded or left out in the cold. They don't want to be blacklisted or shunned by the Party. They want to be able to do interviews with key players, and they want access to inside information. And that is the only reason they tow the party / establishment line. It isn't a conspiracy, they just don't want to be the odd man out. Savage of course is an exception to this but he's the largest so he doesn't count :p

Yeah, that matches what I've seen.

The thing they need to realize is, the base listens to them. They can be the horse's bit and not his ass if they are willing to take a stand. They've got more power than the party leaders, if they were willing to use it.

If an even semi-prominent "conservative" talk show host started sticking to principles, really promoting small government, and holding the party accountable, I think that would make him more popular, not less, even if he didn't get the big name guests.

That's what the base wants to hear, because the base is angry and confused.

[heavenlyboy34]

I work in talk radio as a producer, so I have a fairly good understanding of how it works.

The hosts simply don't want to be excluded or left out in the cold. They don't want to be blacklisted or shunned by the Party. They want to be able to do interviews with key players, and they want access to inside information. And that is the only reason they tow the party / establishment line. It isn't a conspiracy, they just don't want to be the odd man out. Savage of course is an exception to this but he's the largest so he doesn't count :p

You mean largest in the literal or figurative sense? I hear Limbaugh used to be biggest in both instances. ;) lol

[MelissaCato]

This year was very very different. We never before talked politics, money or war.

This year everyone had something to say, and some had alot to say.

Of course then again.. I didn't help matters by gifting everyone in the family The Revolution ~ A Manifesto on Thanksgiving night. :rolleyes:

I figured that was a good way to get everyone talking Politics tonight. It worked. :D

Yes I agree with the other poster ... we should have done this last year, or at least had the book to pass around .. Ron Paul just mighta won 2008.

[Mesogen]

A couple things came up for me. We went over to the neighbors who are very nice. One guy is a former JAG lawyer and the subjects of cooks in the army came up, so I brought up the fact that in the Iraq war instead of paying for cheap enlisted army guys to do the cooking and cleaning, they pay KBR ten times as much. He actually defended it saying that it's because there is such a lack of combat troops that we need all the army personnel to do the fighting and patrolling and we have to use contractors to do all the periphery work. I wasn't going to argue (especially because they had us over for dinner.) But I think there are plenty of troop strewn all over the world that could have been used and the war could have been much cheaper. Besides KBR was a huge ripoff. If you've seen "Iraq for Sale" you'd know it.

But he agreed that the bailouts were/are huge ripoffs.

[tonesforjonesbones]

Lol next time ask him where Blackwater fits in ....seems they've taken over the job of the troops. tones

[Call Me V]

We briefly discussed the bailout and the economy.

My father, not being a follower of politics nor the economy, understands that a huge increase in money supply (stimulus package Obama wants to pass) is pure inflation of our currency.

I was proud of him.

My family was strongly against the wallstreet bailouts but for the auto bailouts (?)...but me and my father brought them back down to earth.

[fr33domfightr]

p.s. all the relatives opposed the bailouts.

Those are the times you can reach them. Remind them with the statistic that (85%) of the public was opposed to the bailout, yet their elected representatives voted FOR it. That's when they'll listen, when you want to make the point that their current representatives DON'T DESERVE TO BE RE-ELECTED.

When quoting statistics though, make sure you do find a reputable source, even if it's the Congressional Switchboard.


FF

[fr33domfightr]

We briefly discussed the bailout and the economy.

My father, not being a follower of politics nor the economy, understands that a huge increase in money supply (stimulus package Obama wants to pass) is pure inflation of our currency.

I was proud of him.

My family was strongly against the wallstreet bailouts but for the auto bailouts (?)...but me and my father brought them back down to earth.


I don't think anyone really wants the U.S. Automakers to go bankrupt. At the same time, the management must take responsibility for the operation of the companies. Perhaps they just need new management, as the current one doesn't know how to change with the times. That probably won't happen unless they actually file for bankruptcy.

Adjustments within the U.S. needs to be looked at from top to bottom. That means salaries and benefits (and healthcare). It also might mean looking at our banking system, money creation, and the WTO.


FF

[Arklatex]

My sister is to marry a socialist tomorrow. I'm about to head off to the rehearsal now as I'm to give her away.

I sat down with him a few weeks ago, mano a mano and tried to explain to him the benefits of freedom and a free people. Of course he believes free markets are the devil.

I showed him a Peter Schiff video, he told me he wasn't the only one who called the housing bubble and such, so I asked then, "who else did?" - his response: "democratic party leadership"

haha, he's a history teacher even. Told me FDR and the New Deal was the best thing ever.

For some reason my one of my best friends is also a socialist and anti-GOP. But after months of deliberation I had him voting in the Republican primary for Paul, even had a sign in his yard for half the year. Ofcourse he voted for Obama in the general election, I asked him why as I have explained how Obama is no different from what we've been getting. He said his reason for supporting Obama is "I think he's going to take money from the rich and give to the poor"

As for Christmas dinner talks, learned my grandpa is against the bailouts, except the bailout of GM because he holds GMAC bonds.

[JamesButabi]

I gave out pure 24k .9999 1 gram gold bars to family members. While also wearing my "Dont blame me I voted for Ron Paul" shirt, I was bombarded with enough questions that I didn't even have to force any issues. If only Ron Paul was running again........this movement has flourished beyond containment.

[HOLLYWOOD]

I had a NEOCON doctor at the very large holiday table... same a Giuliani... "The reason everyone HATES & ATTACKS America is because we (America) are viewed as FREEDOM in the world."

I was almost tempted to ask... PhD in Ignorance?

But I was more the guest at the table... I didn't even waste my breathe on the Obama minions, but had a great Libertarian Lawyer ally relative, that snickered at some of the Obamination comments while elbowing me.

Ignorance is Bliss.. even amongst relatives/family

[Pete]

My son brought home a Chinese fraternity brother from CWRU who had no place to go for the holidays. He is an economics student with a big interest in business and family members in the Communist Party! We talked about the US/Chinese economic relationship and how it is unsustainable, free markets vs. what we have, and the US government/business/media troika which he recognized. I gave him a copy of Ron's Manifesto to take home. It was my last first edition, but I thought it was going to a good home. :)

[Matt Collins]

My sister is to marry a socialist tomorrow. Told me FDR and the New Deal was the best thing ever.


For a wedding present give him this book:





http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qzI80WG6L._SS500_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/New-Deal-Raw-Economic-Damaged/dp/B001KHLT8O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230333195&sr=8-2)

[ShannonOBrien]

My aunt and uncle are Sean Hannity republicans. They are addicted to Fox news yet when I spoke to them they were talking about hyperinflation and the Fed printing money. Amazing! I lived with them for a year and I never remember them speaking like this. It's very encouraging. We should step back for a second and be proud of ourselves.

[tremendoustie]

My aunt and uncle are Sean Hannity republicans. They are addicted to Fox news yet when I spoke to them they were talking about hyperinflation and the Fed printing money. Amazing! I lived with them for a year and I never remember them speaking like this. It's very encouraging. We should step back for a second and be proud of ourselves.

Yeah, if you actually stop and remember, the Fed and monetary policy wasn't really an issue at all before Paul stepped on the stage. We made it an issue before the crash, so that now a lot more people are pissed at the right people.

[DeadheadForPaul]

Everyone in my family was pissed about the bail-outs.