Article posted Wednesday, October 8, 2014 11:12am
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Dear Mary Pat,
It’s election time again and I can’t turn on the television without being inundated with negative ads. Every third phone call seems to be from my chosen political party asking for my support, and I’ve lost track of how many emails I get a day. I expect all of that and take it with a grain of salt since it does have an expiration date thankfully. Life will return to normal after Election Day. The thing that upsets me is my parents hounding me to vote like they do. I’ve never agreed with their politics and I’m not likely to change my mind. Any time the subject comes up (frequently) we end up arguing and I end up feeling resentful. How can I discuss this with them without starting another fight?
Silence is Golden in Baileys Harbor
Dear Silence is Golden,
Politics are a sore subject for a lot of families as well as friends. Since people feel so passionately either one way or another, emotions run high and the smallest provocative statement can cause a firestorm.
You should have the freedom to express your feelings honestly with your parents, but sometimes it’s best to say nothing. Their arguments haven’t swayed you nor have your arguments swayed them.
The next time they tell you how to vote or try to hammer you over the head with their views, calmly say that you think it’s best that you not discuss it. You can also tell them that you respect their views and hope that they respect your views but you think talking about politics isn’t going to help your relationship.
If worse comes to worse and they won’t drop it, don’t engage or debate them and try to let it go.
Good luck,
Mary Pat