Liberals: Are You Trying To Lose?

When arguing with Conservatives, it might feel like the only way to do that is embarrass them. Shame them. Own them. They call you a Communist, so you call them a racist.

Best case, you might own them. If that happens, you'll win the battle but lose the war.

The war is to bring reason and sensibility back into America. Not to own the right. Not to crush them. That's immature. The mature thing is to try to stop the polarization. You trying to embarrass Conservatives only makes that polarization worse. Nobody wants to listen to someone that tries to embarrass them, so you've already lost the war.

To win the war, we need to put away your toddler logic of trying to embarrass the other side. We have to try a mature approach.

It's not easy. It takes emotional strength. It takes the strength to lose the battle (winning the argument) in order to win the war (cutting the polarization). They already think you're a radical communist who is trying to destroy America. Prove to them that you're not. Show them that you have the maturity to be the bigger person.

If you have a Conservative in your life, consider sitting down with them reasonably and saying "I'd like to understand your perspective, even if I don't agree with you." And really listen. Not judge or try to change their minds. Not insult or shame them.

Like I said, it takes emotional strength. You will want to fight back. You'll need the strength to put that urge aside. Take a deep breath and remember that you're there to listen, not to judge.

If the conservative in your life is reasonable, they'll appreciate being heard. If you listen to them and they're reasonable, they'll listen to you and will hear your perspective too.

If you initiate a grown up conversation, you'll be the bigger person and you will help win the war.