comments in newspaper article forums.

Is it even possible? Should I give up? Should I not feel so sad? Exhausted? Depressed?

Your time & health are more valuable then wrestling with the limited intellects there.

I have turned a couple by showing them ways where we share similar values. Things like national security, good education, safe roads and bridges, and helping those in need.

The fear tactics are very hard to counter, and seem to become ingrained in people's minds. This article may be very helpful.

I have been talking to one family member, hard core Fox News watcher, who is having a tough time with his grown daughter because she is much more open minded and accepting of others. Much of our conversation is me gently pulling him out of the mindset of the strident gender roles we have been conditioned by, allowing him to not be so fearful of his beliefs being challenge. That it is ok, does not hurt, and behooves him to stretch himself so he has a better relationship with his daughter, which is ultimately his greatest want. This is the toughest man I know, and so very fearful of stepping outside of his box letting go of some of the beliefs he holds dear that keeps his world in check.

I won't talk politics with him, though.

Interesting concept.

The difference between conservatives and progressives is wired in. That's why it's almost impossible to change minds. This fear theory would be consistent. I think it is evident to we progressives that conservatism is fear-based. I mean, I see it and fight it within myself when it rears its head.

have an overactive amygdala which is the "fear" center of the brain.

I have really been struggling since November to stop acting in ways I associate with conservatives - impatience, black and white thinking, responding with condescending one-liners, intolerance for others who think differently than I do. I've recognized all along that it is motivated by fear - fear that my daughter will no longer have access to health insurance, that we will wind up in a nuclear war, etc. I'm not thinking politically like a conservative, but I'm acting emotionally like one. If my politics leaned in that direction fear would certainly have cemented them.

As far as moving forward "fixing" conservatives by reducing their fear - I don't know that I can manage that on much more than a teeny tiny scale. On facebook I have managed it a bit - but mostly, I'm too overwhelmed with responding to my own fear.

really conservatives. Many claim to be. But if they were they wouldn't be supporting the orange shit. They hide behind that term these days. Oddly W best describe what they are the other day. Casual Cruelty. These peeps are are just down right out mean. They love being mean. That's not a conservative trait.

So yes fear really does drive all sorts of people and conservatives can have their buttons pushed by it. But these people aren't conservatives.

what passes for their "thinking".

Plus totalitarian governments.

This group that is in charge right now is really a mix of types. Yes, most started out as conservatives or at least called them self's that. But some where from here and there they changed. This new lot does have many traits that you see in conservatives, but those things are cherry picked. Like the warped version of christ they worship.

IMO I think there is new group, not just conservative or liberal. Yes there are many sections in each group. But this lot is just nuts. Some times it's like they enjoy the fear almost as much as the people spreading it.

The cons to think, period, rather than being TOLD what they think by the RW noise machine.

All the thugs I know, former in-laws and co-workers among them, are all on the same page. I know damn well they didn't form their opinions and bias's by any independent, critical, analytical, rational thought process. I also know they all watch fax snooze and listen to RW radio.

These people can't, or at least won't, think for themselves, and most are actually proud of their self inflicted ignorance and stupidity.

Again, I'm talking about rethugs I actually know or knew. Not making a blanket statement, although one could extrapolate...

There was a big article in the NYTimes Magazine about that power posing woman and her failed study.

Several years into the Reproduction Crisis we should be better than believing things like this.