One of my coworkers revealed herself to be a Tea Partier today.

[JTG of the PRB]

A tiny bit of background about my job - I work mostly in the back of the store where I work, primarily as the receiving lead. I check in and process each day's freight so it can go out to the floor and get sold to customers and blah blah blah - the cycle of commerce and what not. Most of the time, I'm back there with an other person who serves as my pricer - they price the merchandise and put it on carts so it can go out to the floor.

Today, my assistant was a girl who had worked at our store about two years ago, only to transfer to Florida to be with her boyfriend while he cared for his ailing grandmother (turns out, she did all the work and he refused to help or get a job - but that's a different story). She returned to our store a couple weeks ago, and it was good to have her back -- she was one of the most helpful people in the store during her first stint with us, always eager to assist and whatnot. Always good to have people like that around, right?

So we were back there, working and talking. We actually have a good deal in common, as it turns out. We both love to read, primarily fantasy/sci-fi type stuff, we both want to be writers, we're both working on novels right now... Lots of good stuff to talk about, and it was a very good conversation discussing favorite authors and books and talking about each of our books and the series we plan on making out of them.

I'm not even sure how it did, but the subject of global warming came up after a while. Her views on it were, shall we say, a bit misinformed. She subscribed to the belief that though the climate is changing, it's not driven by human activity. She also mentioned the phrase "global cooling." I mentioned that it's not "global warming," but rather "climate change" and that the changing climate often leads to more severe extremes at both ends of the weather spectrum. It never got to the point of being a heated debate, and we both moved on to different subjects. I figured that maybe she was just a bit misinformed - she's only 20, after all.

I was wrong.

I don't remember either how politics came up, but it did. We were talking a little bit about the issues with the government and how there are crooks on both sides of the aisle and all that. That led into her asking if I'd heard much about this "new party," an "up-and-coming grassroots movement" called the Tea Party.

I tried desperately not to laugh in her face when she said that. I only snickered a little bit. I consider that a victory.

For the next hour we went back and forth - politely and in a civilized manner, I will admit - about various things. The poor girl is just so deeply entrenched in Tea Party lore (that's the best word I could find to describe all their whimsical tales and ideas) that she's not anywhere close to seeing the sunlight. She seems to be walking around a lot with her eyes closed - which is something she mentioned that I was doing, by the way. Multiple Tea Party talking points came out of her mouth throughout the conversation, and it became clear to me that she very deeply believed so many of the lies that "association" spreads with the constant, meaningless flapping of their mouth holes.

She had never heard of Rush Limbaugh, though, so I gave her a little bit of credit for that.

She says she's done research and that she could show me some websites that would "really open (my) eyes" to the truth. Again, I had to hold back my laughter and the derision I wanted to pile upon her for believing such outright fabrications regarding just about everything plaguing American society.

It's Obama's fault, by the way, all of it. Did I mention she felt that way? Probably worth mentioning she feels that way.

Despite her talking about how the Democrats have an eight-step plan to destroy America that starts by allowing illegal immigrants into the country (she didn't mention the other seven steps, sadly), or how the people of the country are baking a pie and Obama is swooping in, taking half of that pie for himself, and giving back the other half to the rest of us, it was a very civil conversation. It never got heated, and she clearly believes very strongly all the misinformation and outright lies she's been fed for who knows how long. She just doesn't seem to see the blindingly glaring flaws that compose 97.4% of the Tea Party's overall structure (the other 2.6% are made up of a mixture of hot air, bologna, and straight up bullshit).

I'm going to try and work on her a little bit, week by week, as she works with me in back. I'll try to change her mind, bit by bit, and break through that thick layer of Tea Party ignorance and try and let a little sunlight in where I can. But it's going to be an uphill battle, no doubt about that. For those of you who will be doing the same with Tea Partier co-workers, friends, or family members you may know in your own lives, I wish you the best of luck.

[irisblue]

1. good wishes for you

you are doing important work.

[JTG of the PRB]

6. Thanks! Just trying to do my part. :)

[struggle4progress]

2. Lots of folk are confused and uninformed at 20: I know I was

[JTG of the PRB]

5. Absolutely. So was I.

I'm just hoping I can at least open her eyes and get her to reconsider a few things.

[struggle4progress]

13. You may be able to do so. I remember successfully arguing with a 20yo thirty years ago:

I changed his mind about some stuff, and he became a kick-ass leftwing activist

[Scootaloo]

15. Tell me about it

When i voted for Kerry, I also voted for some doofus from the Alaskan Independence Party because "that sounds funny."

[babylonsister]

3. Good luck to you also...

posters for work?

[JTG of the PRB]

8. haha That's fantastic.

It would be perfect, but the management would frown on it. Stupid corporations.

[agbdf]

4. I like your approach and wish you luck

It sounds like you are doing the right thing in sharing alternative viewpoints in a non-confrontational manner. It sounds like she hasn't been exposed to other ideas that should logically, I hope, make better sense to her. I respect all people regardless of their political viewpoints.

I hope you will keep us posted on your progress and I wish you luck!

[JTG of the PRB]

9. Thanks! I'm not a confrontational person. That approach works for some, but not for me.

If I want to help change her mind, I have to be civil and reasoned about it is my thinking. I certainly respect her, and like I said we have a lot in common otherwise. I'm certain we can stay friends despite having very different opinions about politics.

And I'll try to post some updates here and there if I make any progress. Time will tell!

[agbdf]

12. Great

I have friends and family who are conservative Republicans as well. I've learned to enjoy the company of otherwise good people even if their viewpoints are different than my own.

[okaawhatever]

7. Her situation with her boyfriend seems a little co-dependent. Any surprise she's willing to believe

the crap she's spoon fed by the tea party?

I don't think the tea party objects to immigration, do they? I though their manifesto, or whatever, was more libertarian in nature.

[edgineered]

10. Wishing you the best of luck

You are facing a task that may never end, so many of these people hold their beliefs so deeply and emotionally that they actual begin to feel that you are attacking them on a personal level. I am surrounded by knuckle-draggers, and despite my resolve, often I end up just keeping my mouth shut, while trying not to roll my eyes or shake my head.

[Takket]

11. "up-and-coming grassroots movement"

i nearly burst out laughing when i read that. calling the tea party a grass roots movement is like calling walmart a "mom and pop" shop.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

14. Good luck

I'd probably get fired within days having to deal with such idiocy. My tolerance level is depleted.

Find out if she's a fundy, then you'll hear the anti-gay shit start. Then you'll know, it's fucking pointless.

[muntrv]

16. Did you tell her that the "grassroots tea party" is sponsored by Koch Industries?

[mattclearing]

17. I generally ask leading questions in these situations.

It generally takes a bit of work to get the skeptical gears moving.

[Mr.Bill]

18. Make sure you tell her

that the Tea Party thinks your employer should be able to pay her $2 an hour.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

19. There are still people who believe Obama was born in Kenya and stole the election.

[JTG of the PRB]

20. haha, I almost asked her if she believed Obama was born in Kenya.

I restrained myself this time, but next time I may let that one slip to see what she says.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

38. That's a standard test. Like when you'd screen for a Moran by asking if we found WMDs.

[obxhead]

21. Make your job the top priority.

Missions such as the one you describe can be fraught with dangers, up to including a loss of your job. Look out for yourself first while undertaking this difficult task.

Good luck, sounds like you might need a bit of it.

[JTG of the PRB]

23. No worries there, it's a friendly discussion.

My supervisor overhead us talking about all this and he said as long as nobody starts yelling and we keep it calm and civil that it's fine. We did work to keep our voices down while we talked, however, and we took a break from discussion when the store manager was around.

Still, you're definitely right, the job is important and that's what I'll focus on. I'll just try and get her to look at things differently here and there, see if I can change her mind bit by bit

[CK_John]

22. Old saying, "don't put your tool in the cash register". She will get you fired in a NY minute.

[SJMULE]

24. Correcting the RW trolls

This past weekend, I had an otherwise intelligent College RW friend post a photo of Elijah Cummings on FB, and his anger was directed toward the IRS scrutiny ( illegally , he protested) of True the Vote ( TTV) of Texas. He posted a "heartwarming" video of the poor woman from TTV who's life and business were unfairly investigated for just trying to get 501-C3 tax exempt status.
It took me around 5 minutes to get past the first page of Google, past Breitbart, WND, and the like to who TTV was. A racist group out of Houston, that sends vile racist emails and photoshops pictures of black women protesting with signs reading " I only got to vote once". Needless to say, He had no response when I shined the spotlight on this obvious partisan RW organization. Keep smacking them down with Facts.

[RobertEarl]

25. Global Warming IS the root of problem

Global Warming leads to climate change.

Global Warming is best seen in that the oceans are warming. Which leads to the signs we see of the ice melting. Try as they might, they can't deny that the ice is melting.

The fact is that co2 in the global atmosphere captures heat and holds it for many years, which leads causes Global Warming since the atmosphere is globally warming.

[lunasun]

35. Try as they might, they can't deny that the ice is melting. No, but

they can believe it is God's will and he doesn't do anything without there being a reason

or Janitor Jesus is on his way back to clean it all up and take them away to a better place

or da gays/Obama voters whatever are bringing God's wrath on this nation and if they 'act right' the climate problems will all go away and a rainbow will appear

or the gubermint is doing it through cloud seeding or some whack ass shit

[LittleGirl]

26. I voted at 20 in my first election

for Jimmy Carter and I had no idea what a liberal was. Good luck and be careful. She's a tender one.

[riderinthestorm]

27. You can do this! I've seen a successful conversion up close and personal

My dad managed to change my step mother's views from Tea Party Rethug to Democrat. It took time and patience and never losing his temper. Her son was a hard-core Tea Party Rethug congressman too so if its possible to convert her, its possible to convert anyone with enough patience...

Good luck!

[1StrongBlackMan]

28. My experience has it that ...

She had never heard of Rush Limbaugh, though, so I gave her a little bit of credit for that.

None of the teapartiers, or rightwing nutz for that matter, have ever heard of/don't listen to rush ... was they recite his rants, chapter and verse.

[hadrons]

32. My brother heckled a tea party speaker once ...

he yelled at him that Rush Limbaugh doesn't care about them and he only cares about his money and Oxy and man, that speaker was quite upset.

[TeamPooka]

40. If they claim to not know Rush then call themk out for not being informed about issues.

Since he drives the debate so much to not know who he is means they know not much.
Then they will admit to their first lie.

[Curmudgeoness]

29. Step one-let her show you those websites.

Step two-show her the other side of the coin with several websites refuting it.

You have to know where she is getting her info. I know too many people who get most of their "facts" from emails that are easy to refute.

[MrScorpio]

30. Mmmmm, pie… nt

[RadiationTherapy]

31. I have worked with hundreds of 20 year olds at a university for 12 years

and they are only just entering the conversation at that point. Talk with her. Let her exercise and debate. All of us are in the process of "becoming."

[Dustlawyer]

33. We should post the stories of any successes and how they did it. I would if I had a success.

I would say that after each run in, if it is someone that you see regularly, bring proof of what you said, but it would still not be enough for most of them. They just blow it off as B.S.!
Let me know if someone figures out anything that works, I am all ears!

[hadrons]

34. Keep it civil and only bring it up when she does....

and don't get caught up in laundry lists, just point out the inconsistencies of her beliefs.

[Wounded Bear]

36. I'd bet a dollar against a frosted donut...

that she lied about Limbaugh.

[Cha]

43. Yeah, I would give her no credit for not knowing who limbaugh is.. a lot of

his former sponsors don't know who he is anymore.

I'm thinking fox or any of the myriad of rw hate radio stations/websites.. There's a lot of money in blaming it all on Obama and getting the hate riled up.

[TeamPooka]

37. You can't fix stupid. nt

[Dogtired]

39. Good Luck!

My experience with converting people with tea party inclinations is that conversion or getting them to even give an inch is futile. They are so brainwashed and seemingly indoctrinated with the lies that they don't give much in any give and take. I have had many such conversations with random strangers that begin with seemingly common ground and concerns and often what seems like similar views only to be floored by the tea party or "conservative" ideology revealing itself. Good Luck is all I can say.

[Leith]

41. You Have the Patience of a Saint

She had never heard of Rush Limbaugh, though, so I gave her a little bit of credit for that.

I find that hard to believe. Impossible, actually.

Good luck with her. I just wouldn't be able to discuss anything beyond the minimum necessary for work.

Sorry, I get in these moods and exasperation just takes hold of me. I'm walking away now.

[CFLDem]

42. Awkwaaard...

When people spout off stupid shit at work, I tend to keep quiet unless it's monumentally stupid.

There's enough politics in the office for my tastes.