No one here needs to be told just how toxic the relationship between the competing political sides have become. It is frustrating to engage conservatives in political talk. I swear to God and Dog that many of them find great joy in equating being conservative with being a jackass like Rushbo - but we shouldn't let them do it unchallenged.
I love this community. Love it. I learn a ton, have changed my mind often, get kept up to date better than any news organization and laugh. I will keep dropping by several times a day, no matter what.
But, I have been spreading my wings, gotten out of the comfy confines of the nest and brave the world where conservatives shoot doves with their treasured guns because that is what a conservative does. I'm commenting on news stories appearing in my local paper. Our population for the area is about 400,000 and it is nearly 50/50 party wise. It's hard b/c my skin is oh so thin and I have a debilitating case of needing to be liked. But, I have learned some things to share to make it less sucky, more constructive and enjoyable at times. Follow me out of the orange nest and I can share some ideas as to how.
I would probably start with the assumption that there will be plenty of jackasses who will disagree that the sky is blue if that is said by a progressive. They realize that some believe as we do but expect us to be apologetic about it because they are so obviously real Americans. Once you accept that, we can move on to the sort of steps that help.
Try to stick mostly to facts as your weapon and especially those facts that really get under conservatives skin
Everyone knows that facts have a liberal bias. One of the most wonderful things about this place is so many smart people provide us very telling facts. Take note of them and use them. Try very hard to not have to link to anything here, it will be discounted as illegitimate for simply coming from a "lefty." To a lesser extent try to avoid linking to the NYT, MSNBC, CNN - all those are presumed "biased" and will get tossed out also. Thankfully, nearly all info to be found on those sites can also be found in some neutral sounding source available in a 30 second google search.
When people attack you for basing your position on facts challenge them to list any fact proving what they are saying
Conservatives hate information. That is why they love them some Fox. Hardly anyone will competently engage you with citable facts. When they do so, ignore all that baby talk that they throw at you and in four or five words note "so you don't have any fact to back what you say
Befriend the most reasonable, intelligent, least hostile and most fact based conservatives on that board
If you use any of the ideas I am writing, I suggest this one. It is critical and a very valuable weapon. I find that a few decent sort of conservatives populate every board. Thank them for information they provide. Hold your nose and state "that is a worthwhile consideration." More than anything, praise them for contributing to good discussion. Even back them personally when they are attacked personally by other progressives. Say something like "hey, this is a pretty good person, decent arguments, not based upon hate, we need more like him." Next thing you know, that person will be backing you when conservative babies attack you which will totally increase your reputation with the "moderates." It also makes all of us seem far more reasonable in comparison, which we are.
Learn some buzzwords that really get under their skin because they prove hyprocrisy
Corporate welfare, wealthy welfare are my two current favorites. You will hear over and over that people that "refuse to work, society's "moochers" should not get one of my dollars. It is wonderful to say, "well I am glad you say that because I am sick of millionaire congressmen voting themselves $3.5 million in farm subsidies, I hate those moochers and I am positive that it outrages you also". It will outrage them b/c what are they going to say? "I am fine with him getting $3.5 million in hand outs" - not likely and no one will take them seriously afterward anyway. "The Deficit!" - say "Great, I am glad you care about it because you will be happy to know it is plummeting, unlike Bush who took it from zero to billions!" See this is easy!
Resist all temptation to answer petty juvenile attacks with a juvenile attack - attack stealthfully.
As I said above, they love being jackasses. It will infuriate you. Don't let it go, but don't respond in kind. Simply respond with an attack that is more subtle, such as "I hate it when I come for discussion and all I get are attacks straight out of junior high." Or "so you really don't have an argument against that so you just lash out?" This is fun b/c you are sort of you most definitely are being passive aggressive back but more importantly, it drives them fking crazy.
Last, but not least, the more effective you are, the more people will downrate your comments or blast you because you are a threat.
I promise that you can state something like - "actually the declaration of independence was signed in 1776 and someone will throw you bad rep". It is inevitable, think of it as affirmation that you are doing right.
Enough of my thoughts, I really wanted to get this out there and actually hope that it gets rec'ed up a little because I really want to hear from others as to their strategy, I think it is important to do this well. Comment forums are the new water cooler, we can change some hearts, mostly from moderates but we'll catch some big fish, too. Good luck and thanks for reading.