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What would you do? What would John Galt do?

Posted by dbhalling 10 years, 9 months ago to Politics
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You walk into a small beach bar on the ocean and a guy is sitting there. You have met him at this establishment before so you sit down near him and strike up a conversation. This is the sort of bar where patrons generally talk freely amongst each other. The man was in politics years ago in Kansas and occasionally brings up political topics. You know that his opinions are all over the map and have even moved to the pool table in the sand in order to not listen to him before. You try to steer the conversation away from politics, but he is not deterred. Then he says:
1) He is for raising the minimum wage
What would you do?
2) He states that minimum wage will not affect unemployment and the law of supply and demand has been repealed.
What would you do?
3) Then he says Obamacare is great.
WWYD?
4) After explaining that the only areas were the cost of medical has gone down are those the government stayed out of (e.g., Laser correction surgery), he says we are the only advanced nation without nationalized health care.
WWYD?
5) Then he says kathleen sebelius, who is from Kansas, is a wonderful women.
6) Then he calls you a racist, because you state Obama has the same philosophy Stalin, Moa, Hilter, etc.
7) Then he states we should get rid of the Constitution.
WWYD?


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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I should think all of us here in Atlantis would agree that politicians are numerous blood-sucking parasites. The only possible argument would be whether they are parasites or vampires. They are remarkably difficult to kill, after all.
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  • Posted by IndianaGary 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    This is something that Rand was really good at. I was always amazed at how she could come up with a one-liner that put the opponent in his or her place. She could then go on to logically eviscerate the opponent by backing up her original statement.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I'm leaning that way too. How disheartening though. :( People are lazy...mentally and physically. Until they are starving they won't wake up...and then it's too late. Pathetic wastes. I wouldn't care if they weren't killing us along with 'em. Mob of blobs.
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  • Posted by IndianaGary 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    LS, I've come to the conclusion that most of the human race is brain damaged by all the altruism spoon-fed them almost from birth. It takes a tremendous effort to brush all the crap off the mind and actually THINK. I know it was for me. I didn't even know what I didn't know until my early 20s.
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  • Posted by CircuitGuy 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    "Richard Lederer says that the word "politics" derives from "poly" meaning many (latin), and "tics" meaniing blood-sucking parasites. I find that I quite agree."
    Yes. I think of politics as being all the villains in AS and Fountainhead. The heroes are just getting things done.
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  • Posted by IndianaGary 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    ...and most of those same "decent cowering Germans" didn't hesitate to yell "Zieg Heil!" when prompted after being herded into public arenas.
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  • Posted by IndianaGary 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Richard Lederer says that the word "politics" derives from "poly" meaning many (latin), and "tics" meaniing blood-sucking parasites. I find that I quite agree.
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  • Posted by CircuitGuy 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    "We have talked briefly about politics before and she and her husband are pure ideologues."
    Yes. I avoid talking to ideologues of any sort. I don't know too many of them. They can be normal people, but once you get them going on politicians, they carry on about how one politician is evil or a saint. I think most people have a tacit rule about not getting these people going.
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  • Posted by CircuitGuy 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    "CG how can you say that and say that you voted for Obama even helped him with fundraising."
    I was saying if they don't think they're for a bankrupt ideology, then telling them you know won't affect them. If they know it's a bankrupt ideology but think they're tricking people, then it makes a difference if you tell them you see through it.

    If someone thinks he can repeal the laws of supply and demand, my talking to him probably won't have any impact.
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  • Posted by IndianaGary 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    "The fact he's thinking about it may mean he'll change his mind later." Bad assumption - if he had actually THOUGHT about it he would not have these opinions. He's just regurgitating what he hears on MSM or in his college classroom. I doubt he can even spell "axiom."
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  • Posted by robertmbeard 10 years, 9 months ago
    Great posts. The foolishness has to be confronted. But if you feel you won't be able to control your temper, it is better to walk away. Being firm and even a little heated is fine, so long as you are measured and in control...

    To the specific case above involving the Kansas communist, perhaps the shortest, most effective response would be:

    "My friend, the policies you are promoting have been implemented in the country of Venezuela over the past several years. You should take a vacation there sometime. You would love it there. It's not for me, however."
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  • Posted by IndianaGary 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Up to a point. There are many teaching opportunities around and this could be one of them. However, as soon as it is clear that your opponent has abandoned reason, the only thing this to do is leave. You are now talking to a wall.
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  • Posted by tdechaine 10 years, 9 months ago
    Put some truth serum in his drink.
    Or by the 2nd question, ask him if he would truly like to debate the issues on facts or not?
    Then when he deviates from the facts - or worse, denies there are facts - and doesn't care, leave with good cause.
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  • Posted by $ jlc 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I am straight. So the 'cute' is academic to me...As appearances go, she is archetypal for the 'ditzy CA hairdresser' (and thus expected to be mega liberal).

    I think the important part is that she knows that she is not alone in the way she thinks, which is why it is important to politely argue with liberals in public. You may not convince the guy you are arguing with, but you may let 3 other people in the bar know that someone else thinks as they do.

    Jan
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  • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 10 years, 9 months ago
    You only have two choices reason with him, if you believe he can be reached with the arguments you and others have presented or walk away.
    "Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it. Do not count on them. Leave them alone." Ayn Rand
    ...Okay, on second thought, you have a third option: Tell him you have never heard such a bunch of balderdash in your life and then walk away.
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  • Posted by NealS 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Be happy with that little blond cutting your hair. I'll bet she was cute too. The hair cutters up here in the Northwest are mostly all imports. They talk some but it's like talking to a Microsoft Tech, I usually can't understand a word.

    Getting back to the subject, I'd go to another bar or only come on the days that he's not there. Some people are just not worth saving from themselves. Besides there are a lot of cute blonds out there that you can talk to and maybe make a difference.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I've found it doesn't take an awful lot of time. The key is to start by saying "you're right," at the outset so that they don't get all combative or overly defensive and cagey.
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