Obviously, I took the title of this diary from Ann Coulter's book "How To Talk to Liberals, If You Must". Huh. Funny thing. Haven't heard much from Coulter lately, have we? I wonder why that is. Could it be because Liberals are now faced with the daunting task of having to explain things correctly to Conservatives?
I've worked with Conservatives for quite a few years and have become quite adept at how to debate the issues with them. It's really quite simple. In order to speak to any Conservative and de-bunk their long-held myths and erroneous beliefs, all you need to do is confuse them with a few simple things called FACTS.
Observe . . . .
THE ISSUE: Iraq
Conservative: We must win in Iraq.
Answer: Win what? (Pause for a few moments while the Conservative stutters to find an answer that will sound somewhat plausible. Upon realizing they can't, let them off the hook.) There is no "winning" in Iraq. We've already lost.
Conservative: (thinking they've got you now) But we got rid of Hussein, helped those oppressed people and gave them a democracy. How can you say we haven't won?
Answer: Let me ask you a question about helping oppressed people. Helping the oppressed people in Iraq was a good thing, right? (they will nod) Then why, in 1999, when President Clinton helped oppressed people in Kosovo, was it considered a "bad thing" by the GOP and "we had no business there"? (blank stare from conservative) Well, in order to answer that question, you must ask yourself this: What does Iraq have that Kosovo doesn't? Also, do you really think shoving democracy down the Iraqis throats will wipe out their culture which is steeped in a thousand years of traditions and beliefs? Do you think the Iraqis like the United States now? (another blank stare) No, they still despise us and think we are the devil's minions on earth. In essence, all we have successfully done was give Halliburton millions of dollars and provide bin Laden and al-Qaeda a new breeding ground.
Conservative: You don't support our troops.
Answer: I absolutely support our troops. I believe serving your country is the most noble thing you can do. I do not agree with the decision that put them in Iraq, but that does not mean that I do not support them and want them to return home safely. Bush's statement of "you are either with us or against us" is a dictatorship-style of leadership that only succeeded in dividing this country. I honor our troops and am thankful for them but that does not mean I agreed with placing them in Iraq.
THE ISSUE: Roe vs. Wade
Conservative: Abortion is wrong.
Answer: That is not for you to decide. If you believe in less government, which most conservatives say they do, then you should not believe in the government dictating what a woman should do with her own body. If you believe it is a sin against God, then you should understand that whatever a woman decides is between her and her doctor and that she will be the only one who has to answer for it in the end. Not you.
THE ISSUE: Taxes
Conservative: Liberals tax and spend. I'm not voting for Obama because he will raise my taxes.
Answer: Don't listen to me. Go do your own research at www.taxcutfacts.org. While you're at it, answer this: How can McCain say we would not pay more taxes under his administration when he plans on introducing us to a brand new tax? When he taxes our healthcare benefit for the first time in history, every single one of us with employer-based healthcare will be paying more taxes.
THE ISSUE: Terrorism
Conservative: Obama is a terrorist (and/or hangs around with terrorists).
Answer: (sigh heavily) He sat on ONE committee with ONE ex-radical who engaged in those activities 40 some years ago while Obama was in grade school. Republicans were also on that same committee. Now, please name on thing, based on Obama's record in the Illinois State Senate and as a Senator of the United States that points to anything that would be considered even remotely radical. (wait for answer . . . but don't hold your breath). There is nothing in his upbringing, his record or anywhere else that would indicate he has or will engage in any radical or "terrorist" (use air quotes) behavior. If you are now talking about Khaladi, ask yourself this: if it was wrong of Obama to donate money to his organization, why did McCain donate $448,000 to it?
THE ISSUE: Socialism
I don't even have to go into this. Just ask the conservative to define socialism. Chances are they can't even give you a definition of socialism, let alone tell you why they think Obama is a socialist.
Then just ask them this: If giving tax breaks to the top 5% of the population while taxing the hell out of the middle class is a good, sound, economic policy . . . how can the reverse be called socialism?
Don't wait for an answer, you won't get one. Just smile and walk away.
I hope I have helped some of you learn how to handle conservatives in these last few days leading up to the election. If not, then I suggest you don't engage in conversation with one unless you feel the overwhelming need to bang your head against a wall.
EDITED TO ADD:
Based on some comments, I felt the need to add:
THE ISSUE: Racism
If you are faced with a white conservative who is showing racism -- or any person showing racism, for that matter -- here are two ways to answer:
If the person is religious, ask them how God feels about them denouncing his creations. God created all beings and I'm sure He would not appreciate someone denouncing his creation based solely on the color of their skin.
If they are not religious, ask them what makes them better than Obama. If he has nothing to go on except skin color, ask him where his swastika is.
THE ISSUE: Democrats in control
If the conservative is having heart palpatations because the reality of a Democratic President with a Democratic Congress is too much to bear, simply remind them that it was a Republican Congress under a Republican President that got us into a) an unnecessary war, b) an economic mess we have not seen the likes of in decades, c) the highest deficit in our history, d) loss of respect for the United States around the world and e) a country profoundly divided.