Politics: The Ultimate Way To Lose Friends

MsControversy I have actually found a way to really enjoy politics. I use the discussions to practice self discipline. If I find myself becoming overly emotional I force myslf to stop and analyyze what and why I am doing so. It has actually been terrific practice to learn self discipline. I enjoy discussiong politics to a point. I have a bit of a hard time with those who personally attack, but, I try to use the opportunity to be more understanding of others feelings and emotions. I feel that benefits me way more than 'winning' any political point

Polioitics is a very powerful topic to come up on. It invades all of our lives i one way oranother. politics can easily make its way into our relatroships as well. we all have our political views to stand behind. If we try to push our view onto a friendship we could see that friendship fizzle and fade away because the friendshio couldn;t take our polotical viewpoints.

I like to discuss the two no-nos, politics and religion.. I mean what else is there!? But I think people should research their ideas, so they can stay issues, etc, instead of having to fall back on calling names. I am actually concerned at what I see as the breakdown of courtesy in the U.S. (where I live) as the people getting stirred up to what (almost?) seems like hatred. I don't think that is healthy. I actually believe 'both' parties mean well, simply have a different view on what life is and different ideas on what will work and what won't. And I agree more with one party on social issues, and more with the other on economic issues (I'm actually libertarian which prefers small government with strong limits on scope, power and reach). Here's a couple of quotes I like on party politics: from George Washington’s Farewell Address, warns against the party system - “It serves to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration.... agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one.... against another.... it opens the door to foreign influence and corruption... thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.” "The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissention, which in different ages & countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders & miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security & repose in the absolute power of an Individual: and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty." — George Washington, September 19, 1796

I'm pretty passionate too. And I can get hot under the collar as well. Especially when the name calling starts.

actually, there is no matter with discussions on politics. i am not into discussing this sort of things personaly. however,i am not against it yet,and i am interested in listening other's debate over the current affairs. every one have different points on this issuse. there are never any principles .

Hi This also happened to my father and his sister when they were supporting the rival candidates, they were trying to convence each other to move to their supported party but they both stood their ground and got into a heated conversation. It was so missed up because their brother and sisters were also picking sides. They didn't talk to each other for sometime. It was ridiculous to think about and I still don't understand how can did it possibly happened, that they had let politics get in the way of their relationship.

I find it interesting that when I discuss politics with conservatives we can agree and disagree and keep it civil. When I discuss with a liberal I find that once I start to disagree with them they get very defensive and emotional. It almost seems like I am attacking them personally. In some discussions I have suggested that we could save money in Education or Health Care and I am attacked as anti children or don't care about the sick. I have even had a few who will verbally attack me when I present some very valid points to counter their arguments. I have found it is better not to discuss politics with certain people.

First off let me apologize for something I said on another post. It was mean and uncalled for. Which kind of goes with your post here. We do say things we shouldn't. I have a friend on hide in FB because our friendship is more valuable to me than politics. We just don't reply to each other when it comes to the election. Stick with the things we can either agree on or debate without tearing any throats out. Besides, she loves my writing so I can't be mad at her. LOL

Politics is a lot like reglion if you step litely and not down grade the other person point of views it can make for a great learning experince for all parties... Using facts versus the mindless he said she said tactics... thats grade school, and most people get affended by that.. I love a good discussion about all sides.. Then when it is time for me to vote I have a true opinon of my own and not just someone elses or what the tv says to do... which is not the point of all of us voting in the first place..

it is true and that is the reason why i don't to discuss politics between friends. Better not discuss the topic only. I do like politics now since hubby is into it but i prefer not to open my mouth. ..Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day ahead.

Exactly! Go into politics and you'll only not loose friends you'll also get a hidden enemies. Even good friends become worst enemies in politics. Politics doesn't treasure or give importance to friendship co's politics is selfish. The position and fame that the politics gives to its winner is hypnotizing and the person that is being hypnotized forgets about the importance of important people. All they see or saw is the importance of being the one in control. I'm not saying that all is alike there are still good one but very rare.