With state primaries quickly approaching and candidate debates drawing more attention, it's difficult not to talk about the potential candidates. However, there are better ways to advocate for your favorite potential without discrediting the choices of your friends and family who might disagree with you. Here's ten rules for expressing your excitement, or your absolute hatred for potential candidates, without ending up sad and alone by the time elections finally roll around.
1. Other people have opinions.
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That's right, your best friend and every individual you see on the street is just as complex as you are. They have their own foundational experiences, core ideas, and fundamental beliefs that guide their life choices, including who they want to vote for in 2016. Don't presume to know their lives any more than they know yours or that they are somehow less entitled to their own beliefs.
2. Use your rage constructively.
There are some truly ridiculous candidates in every election; this is the nature of politics. Someone will say something heinous, rude, or just plain dumb--just like death and taxes, this is inevitable. However your anger (or soul crushing sadness) will not take back what they've said, nor will it help to clear up the misinformation that was spread far and wide as a result.
3. Know your stuff.
There's nothing worse than arguing with someone who refuses to accept facts because they've already gathered all the information they need from their choice (biased) news channel. If you're passionate about a particular issue, know it from every angle and know that that even seemingly discrete issues do not exist in a vacuum.
4. Sometimes, being funny is rude.
We're all guilty of laughing at some particularly brutal dig at our least favorite candidate. I know one just came to mind and I know it's hilarious. However, pure comedy dilutes the facts and disrespects your friend or family member's opinion. It may be funny, but it's also a surefire way to end up friendless and alone at the end of election season.
5. Know your audience.
Don't riot just yet, some people do have a sense of humor and a more objective view of the potential candidates, who would be more willing to take digs at their candidate as long as they can return the favor. Some people prefer a more "all or nothing, salted earth" method of political debates. To be honest, the latter group should be avoided at all costs.
6. Just please, please, calm down.
A solid rule for any argument or debate. Just chill out. Passion can get out of hand all too easily, especially with inflammatory subjects like politics. If you can't keep your chill, you may want to consider avoiding the subject all together.
7. It's OK to learn new stuff.
Every so often someone will say something that will completely destroy a concept or issue that you thought you knew inside and out. This is okay. Always fact check, but be sure to incorporate new information into your knowledge of the issues.
8. Know your logical fallacies.
Politics is full of logical fallacies. Learn to identify them and learn which potential candidates (or loved ones) skipped their freshman English class. Few people will appreciate if you actually point out that the basis of their argument is a logical fallacy. However, if you're in the mood to destroy someone, this is a good way to go.
9. It's OK to keep quiet.
Never feel like it is your responsibility to educate someone who doesn't want to hear what you have to say. Some people just aren't interested and that's totally fine. You aren't giving up by walking away; you're just preserving your sanity.
10. Stand by your choice.
Do what you need to do in order to figure out who your favorite candidate is. People will try to convince you otherwise, but if the facts are on your side, kindly listen to their rants and divert the conversation. Of course, the absolute best way to stand by your favorite candidate is to go out and vote for them.
