If someone you knew ;-) was debating one of the Republican think tank folks on the Tea Party

[stevenleser]

what would you want to have them say? There is so much to say, but which points do you think are most salient? Lets just say the opponent is a high level member of oh, lets say a group that sounds like this country for Prosperity. ;-)

[NoNothing]

1. Judging by most of the topics here,

I would guess that most would have you point out to your opponent that he is a crazy, violent, psychopathic, delusional, knuckle-dragging, bigoted, worthless, disgraceful, racist, stupid, ignorant, subhuman piece of shit.

However, I suspect this would not be a productive point of discussion.

I think the most important point is this: the number one priority of people at this time is the economy, and Republicans do not have a good track record of economic growth. People need to be made aware that the cause of our massive deficits is NOT spending increases but fall-off of revenue. The only way to erase the deficit is to grow the economy, and the only way to grow the economy is to keep Republicans out of office.

[JuniperLea]

2. Thinking cap on...

Marking this page! This would, hypothetically of course, be a hoot! My mind won't settle down long enough to light on one thing!

:popcorn:

[Voice for Peace]

3. Recommend saying little, but raising the right questions

and let them do the talking. Invite their pov on the craziest stuff.

[treestar]

4. Let them talk until they come up with an inconsistency

Then ask them why the inconsistency.

It is something they will always do. Example: They will rant on about the government not interfering with the free market, until it comes to immigration, then they want the government to step in and make sure Americans get the jobs.

They will rant on about the Constitution saying nothing about separation of church and state. But ask them where the Constitution allows for a state to make an anti-immigrant law, and suddenly they are not so big on exact wording.

Immigration is a good subject to get them with, since their true agenda is not what they want to admit.

Do they really care about the deficit? when they complain about the deficit, ask them why it's OK to have one to get into wars? A deficit is a deficit. They think it's terrible to have one. If there's a war we can't afford without borrowing, maybe we should forego that war?

[JuniperLea]

5. Great stuff there, treestar!

I'd add one word... "unnecessary" before "wars." It was a big waste of money we clearly didn't have. It's the main reason for our deficit.

[stevenleser]

6. Great stuff. keep it coming. I'm on the show Crosstalk on the channel Russia Talks tomorrow.

I'll have a video up later in the weekend.

[jenmito]

7. I'd want to have "them" ask why so many of their candidates seem to have no knowledge of

what's in the Constitution, or ask which "version" of the Constitution they're in favor of (before certain amendments were added), or ask if they're so "pro-freedom," why are they (most of them) against the right to choose, DADT, gay rights/equality, etc., or why if they're not racists, why they allow and help spread racist signs, billboards, "jokes," etc. to name a few things. :)

[stevenleser]

8. Folks, this is going to air on Monday on the Russia Today network. You will not want to miss it

I debated the VP of Americans for Prosperity re: the Tea Parties and let's just say I think you will enjoy the exchange.

[mcar]

9. As Lawrence O'Donnel said yesterday to a group of TBs

Is Social Security socialism? Is Medicare socialism? (crickets)

Name one government program that is more socialistic than SS or Medicare.

[LisaM]

10. Ask them about the funding. Ask them if we are to seriously believe

that this is a grass roots movement that sprang out of nowhere. Ask them about the Kochs.