Daniel_sackman_small
Reputation: 55

My 14 year old brother is a Republican, Help!

My almost 15 year old brother, who lives on the other side of the country (Florida... sad, I know) who is a loud and proud Republican. He's a birther, totally loves Palin and Trump, still uses ACORN to show how corrupt 'No-Bama' is - and is a huge pain in the ass. He's always on facebook posting right-wing propaganda, with youtube videos, articles and the such. He's not a dumb kid, and I want him to voice his opinions, but he has a very skewed view of society, and nor how truly privileged he really is.

He's the type that will actually go in politics!!!! My brother and I have been doing everything we can (via facebook - we are all long distanced) to show him the light, and any ideas would be gladly accepted.

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  • Img_0316_small
    Reputation: 87

    I know how you feel. I have a Republican in my family and he is very smart but somehow has this "libertarian" blind spot. I have tried just about everything, but he is very well informed and can counter anything factual with ease.

    So it comes down to philosophy at the end of the day and that is not unlike trying to tell someone that there religion is "wrong". It doesn't go over well at all.

    It is worth continuing to point out the Republican ills when they are blatantly obvious in a kind way and just continue to plant those seeds of doubt. It's important that you don't "put it in his face" or make him defensive so he can just hear/watch the other perspective. John Stewart does a good job of amusing people while he shows how crazy they are.

    Don't get him to defend anything... just keep up a slow drip of counter measures in the hope that he will see the light.

    Good luck and thanks from all of us for trying.

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8 Other Answers

  • Finn3goof_small
    Reputation: 1811

    Point out that lefty chicks are way hotter than righty chicks then drag his ass out to Seattle for the summer to prove it.

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  • Cats_small
    Reputation: 891

    The thing about our current political all-stars is that they are all-star hypocrites.

    I'd encourage him to learn the philosophy and learn how to analyze the politician's execution of the philosophy they claim to hold dear.

    Being able to identify hypocrisy is good no matter which way you lean.

    (pro-life vs cutting childhood health care)
    (pro-life vs pro capital punishment)
    (constitution touting vs opposition Islam)
    (pro-free market vs anti-immigrant labor)
    (etc. vs etc.)

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  • Medium_2868373187_b2c11c89cf_o_small
    Reputation: 2266

    Help encourage him to go to a normal college - or if not actually encourage him, help him pay for it or something.

    Removing him from his family down there (probably where he is getting all of his opinions at age 15) and getting himself some education will do wonders for his stupidity.

    It might not cure it, but I think its the best chance you will get.

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  • Bauhaus_small
    Reputation: 650

    Usually, a bout with poverty - real poverty with nowhere to go and no one to turn to - is enough to cure any Republican...at least for a while. If, however, one is hardwired for complete and total self-interest - as some seem to be - then there's really very little once can do about it other than try and neutralize it by being the opposite.

    There are, of course, Republicans, who come from poverty, but they tend to forget the breaks and good luck they had climbing out of it and adopt the "if I can do it, so can someone else" attitude. Not everyone else is so lucky. And as Paul Newman once said, "If you don't think luck plays a part in success, then you are deluded."

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  • Sakuraconbadgeimage_small
    Reputation: 75

    Look for common ground first. There is a lot of it.

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  • Nim_chimpsky_small
    Reputation: 213

    First, my sympathies.

    I suggest you keep arguing with him. Don't lecture or talk down to him - debate, like you would with an adult. Consider his opinions seriously and respectfully (I know, it's probably hard sometimes), ask why he thinks what he does, and challenge his thinking. He'll be a better person for it, even if he doesn't grow up to agree with you, and he'll probably appreciate you that much more in the end.

    Is he a reader? Make him a deal: you'll read a book by whatever conservative pundit he likes, if he'll read a book by someone you like. Then talk about what you read.

    If you're already doing those things, I doubt there's much more you can do. I'm assuming you know better than to tell a 14-year-old what to think. Besides, my personal observation is that teenagers often go through a conservative phase, and they tend to think in very black-and-white terms. When he gets older, and (hopefully) takes a tour through the school of hard knocks, he'll probably mellow out. Also, as people age, they tend to gravitate toward the values their parents taught them. Are your parents are somewhat more progressive? If so, he will probably lean more towards the progressive side with time.

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  • Bierce1_small
    Reputation: 640

    Buy him a copy of Atlas Shrugged so he can get through this phase as soon as possible.

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  • Avatar_default
    Reputation: -1

    I am very saddened to see that the majority of answers (as well as the question itself) are reflected in a way which state that opinions and beliefs other than those of a progessive/liberal mindset are demonized,crazy, ridiculed, or not tolerated.
    What happened to the freedom to express and believe different points of view, ideas, and differences? I know many conversatives who are loving, open-minded, passionate and truly care about the future of our country just as much as anyone else.
    I am tired of the meanness that seems to be growing ever so rapidly with the extreme left for those who dare to dissagree with them.
    I've got friends and co-workers all around Seattle with varying degrees of political viewpoints, and guess what? We get along great because our relationship and respect for each other outweighs the differences.
    Leave the kid alone, just accept & love him just as he is!

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