facts...

There is no point in attempting a reasonable conversation with someone who spouts such obscene stupidities. I've had excellent conversations with conservatives and libertarians, but you can't reason with a moron, they lack the critical skills necessary. Don't waste your time with people like that, you could be missing an opportunity to talk to a reasonable and persuadable individual.

I regularly joust with some climate change deniers. I taunt them for their obstinacy.

One is Libertarian. It's like talking to John Galt. He is anti-democracy. He will never give up. I ask him to describe he system he would favor. He has learned there is no rational answer, so he avoids that stupidity.

People like that have brain structures that promote authoritarianism, and preclude rationality.

--imm

They may grow out of it on their own. If they do, it's easier for them to believe they were never like that, than to have the memory of someone confronting them over it.

to unfriend that person, or if it was a stranger on a message board, call the person on their racism and ignorance. reading the comments all over the web there's always a few...but often there are many more that call them out for their ignorance and racism. it may not change their minds but others reading might actually notice a light bulb going on, you never know.

I'll say "I don't discuss politics." At work a customer started in, I politely said the "no politics" thing, but he kept going. I finished what I was doing for him as though he wasn't even there, didn't respond to a question, then handed him his receipt and was just as friendly and nice as I usually am, as though the incident never happened. He actually looked kind of abashed -- thanked me and left.

Another customer is pretty much a bagger, but he and I can have great discussions. I know I won't change his mind, he knows he won't change mine, but we talk about the things we agree AND disagree on. He's depressed about Romney, by the way, but I think he'll end up voting for him as HIS lesser of two evils.

but still believe the "welfare queen meme" a close family member who is otherwise a very nice person just recommended one of those right wing propaganda things that goes around i.e. if you can afford cigarettes, beer, and cable you don't need food stamps," put out by some "Citizens for Capitalism" group.

Sure there are people who game the system but there are other people legitimately in need, this lady isn't rich, she is a divorced Mom, who dosen't earn a lot. Doesn't she realize that she may someday need the very services she is condeming?

It is so discouraging sometimes.