The most frustrating thing about dealing with conservatives.

[arbusto_baboso]

It isn't that they are belligerent (which most are). It isn't that they are hypocritical (they definitely are, though). It isn't even the faux-patriotic flag-waving jingoistic America-gasms they induce in one another.

It's the denial of reality. It's the outright fleeing from facts and data that leave their pet theories in rubble. Conservatives like to portray themselves as hard-nosed, pragmatic realists. But the truth is, they're fearful little whiners deep in denial about the way the world actually works.

[unpossibles]

1. I've often wondered how they managed that image

as well as being the financially/economically more pragmatic party, despite all evidence to the contrary for many decades. Good marketing I suppose: which often takes the form of better bullshitting than your competition, whether the actual product is better or not....

[Lorien]

3. They have a message, they stay on it, and they own the media.

While we're the party of "not as bad as the other guys."

[Lorien]

2. One thing we need to stop doing is calling them "Conservatives"

They aren't interested in conserving much of anything; not energy, the environment, or civil liberties. They'll happily blow the entire treasury on needless wars. Call them what they are; Right Wing extremists.

[arbusto_baboso]

4. How about Reactionaries?

I usually get good traction with that term.

[Warpy]

5. The world has a nasty habit of doing terrible things

to people who are trying to play by the wrong rule book. That's the only thing that will change somebody in a cult with a cockeyed belief system. Presentation of the cold, hard facts won't do it, neither reasoned debate, nor outright screaming in sheer frustration.

The only rational response to those people is something like, "You BOUGHT that?" and walking away chuckling.

[gratuitous]

6. Shows what I know

I would have guessed it was those annoying assault laws, which the cops enforce even when you can show good cause.

[demosincebirth]

7. Take the word conservative out and it sounds like some, here, on DU

[mzteris]

8. is that they're stupid?

arrogant?

ignorant?

selfish?

clueless?

hateful?

f'ing *ssholes?