I fully respect other people's opinions, even if I don't agree. If one of my friends and I have a debate, it doesn't mean I don't respect them; it means I don't agree. I think it's silly to lose good friends over politics, even if it is nice to have them agree with you.

I have nothing but respect for other people's opinions, political or otherwise, but things get way too heated for me me to discuss issues and candidates comfortably. I'm dreadfully non-confrontational - less friction than a bottle of baby oil - so I just don't get into the conversations at all.

People have their own opinions so whatever. If I was American I would support Hillary bour but really whatever makes your bum hum baby.

either my friends/family don't care b/c they're uninformed or they hate/dislike hillary as least as much as I do, republican or democrat. I tell everyone I'm voting for ron paul and they don't know who he is, so no arguments

for the most part i just keep things to myself - there's no point in trying to argue with people about it.

I respect peoples opinions, but I find a lot of people don't respect mine. Most of my friends are very Liberal and I am a Conservative, and a federalist, so you can imagine the confrontations. They get heated.

But I love them no matter what.

@cine_lover, ITA! I am conservative on many issues and my college friends are very liberal. Sometimes it just makes me really frustrated that they don't understand how deeply I feel about certain issues and I just want to make them get it. But I love them anyway. I'm not going to stop hanging out with them because we disagree about politics. They're good friends to me, and so I try my hardest to look beyond that and respect their opinions and try to keep the conversation on stuff that makes us all happy and laughing.

My problem is that too many of my friends have NO OPINION!! Our primary is less than 2 weeks away, and most people I talk with say, "I don't know who I like yet".

How can you not have an opinion? Most candidates have their ideas on all the major issues listed clearly on their website. You can find up to date information about the custody of Britney's kids, but you can't find what the candidates think about issues?????

I feel that America could really be a great country if we all put in more effort to learn about the issues and get active. I feel that it is pretty irresponsible to pass off OUR government's issues onto their fellow citizens. The folks that seem the most involved are extremists, and that isn't good for anyone.

Jill if I knew how to make an applause smiley I would!

Thank you Cine!

I LOVE talking about politics and policy. I find it really interesting to share ideas and hear thoughts from other people. Sometimes it leads to me changing my mind. Sometimes it strengthens what I thought originally. But it always feels healthy to flush out thoughts about things that are so very, very important.

I love talking politics too and I have the same view, sometimes I go into things VERY strong and the more I research and the more I talk to people I find that my opinion has changed. I hate when people go into a conversation saying, "I'm right your wrong and no matter what you say nothing will change me" I mean if you are not going to be open to conversation then what is the point. There will be no back and forth, and no true listening.

A perfect example of this is my stance on Pro-life. Although I am a pro-lifer, from talking and discussing, and a lot from this site, I have a much broader view of it then I did 5 years ago, and a much better understanding of a pro-choice persons view.

That is why I started my conservative sugar group. I feel like people have such strong opinions that sometimes people don't really listen to each other, to see where the other is coming from. Not to just flaunt that I am a conservative and a federalist.

But you are one my favorites, so maybe I am biased

"I mean if you are not going to be open to conversation then what is the point."

I agree 100%!

My husband isn't into politics too much...although he has been paying more attention lately. I am a registered Democrat, he's an Independent. I am a Hillary supporter, he likes John McCain. But I respect his views and opinions and I know he feels the same.

I generally hate talking politics with people, especially friends. I know what I think and what I believe and don't want people trying to force their political opinions on me. I would never do that to anyone. I used to have arguments with a guy friend all the time over political issues, sometimes heated ones...finally I told him that we can't talk about politics again. And we haven't! It's just better that way.

I definitely agree with Jillness' statements above.

Luckily, I'm a law school grad and so virtually all my friends and I have very strong opinions about SOME party or candidate and aren't afraid to voice them, mainly because law school sort of brings that out in you. I've become accustomed to this type of open floor arena mentality, and think it's important in fleshing out and getting perspective on your own ideas.

For instance, my friends DEFINITELY know I'm a huge Obama supporter. Likewise I generally know where they stand on issues and candidates (and they're all over the place with whom they support). It's always interesting to hear what the Hillary supporters think of Obama and especially what the conservatives or moderates' impressions are.

The important thing to remember is that we must (as some said earlier) respect others' opinions and their abilities to make their own decisions. It'd be a dull and scary world if everyone believed exactly the same things.

I'm tired of my female friends being upset with me because I'm not a Hillary supporter. I've been accused of being a traitor to my gender. Meanwhile, it takes everything in me not to explode when people say, "I'm voting for her only because she's a woman!!" Sometimes I fail at that. It's just nutty.

But I try to keep an open mind about what I hear.

I am a conservative and I respect all opinions even when I totally disagree. That said, I've seen SO much venom between the political parties. I know it goes both ways. As a conservative who is around liberals a lot, it just amazes me that they seem to think all conservatives are pure evil. It's difficult to constantly have my ideals and belief system trashed. I just wish that people could at least be respectful and stop stereotyping people!

I love it when people can discuss their ideas and thoughts without taking it personally. The only time I get frustrated is when people don't have an opinion, or base their opinion on soundbites etc. I had a friend that voted in the last election, and when I asked her about why she voted for that candidate, she said, "Because my husband did. I don't know anything about the election". That blew my mind!

I would love it if every American would think about what issues are really important to them, and then find out what the candidates stance is on those issues. I truly think that the founding fathers set up a great governmental system, and it is sad to see it neglected by apathy.

"I truly think that the founding fathers set up a great governmental system, and it is sad to see it neglected by apathy"

Well said!

My dad and I argue a lot, even if it never gets too intense. He thinks Kucinich is a 'useless vote' (well, he's dropped out now anyways..) but I think he's so much better than Obama and Hillary.

I respect people for their opinions, but when my friend told me that her Dad wants to vote for Romney (even /after/ she showed him all those articles about him flip flopping all over the place!) I tried my best not to explode.

Great quote by a great man.

I do think that politics can be very divisive. I definitely listen to other people's POV's, even when I disagree, and often find it fairly easy to see where they are coming from. I kind of feel that most of my friends and people that I associate with that are very liberal think that it's fine to voice their political opinions that are anti-conservative, whereas I don't feel comfortable voicing my own conservative opinions. I do feel that a lot of those people peg conservative opionions as evil and closed-minded. So, unless I know that someone is very open or is a conservative, I don't voice my political opinions often. I have gotten into HUGE arguments (argument meaning I tried to explain my view, and he then lectured me for over an hour on his POV) that have left me in tears with my very liberal father, so I can see how it can cause tension. On the other hand, I have two very close friends that are more liberal than I, and we have very open and respectful conversations about politics.

Jefferson warned us about being limited to a two party system and I hate seeing people divided over the labels of "democrat" or "republican." Imagine if a candidate could actually state their true platforms without having to tow the party lines.

I love hearing other people's ideas, but what gets to me is when I ask why are you labeling yourself a D or R, and they don't know they basic principles of their own party.

I am a libertarian. I think that most decisions should be made on a state or local level.

My best friend decided she didn't want to be my best friend anymore because of my political beliefs. She's known them all along but apparently can't take it anymore. Not everyone in college is liberal and I wish everyone would be a little more accepting of that.

That quote should be common sense, but unfortunately it's profound these days.

I think if everybody gave people they disagree with just half a chance, they would realize that most people have good intentions and they come to their beliefs in good faith. We all have different values and a different perspective on the world, and it only makes sense that we'd all form different opinions. That doesn't mean that the people who disagree with you have given any less thought to their opinions, or that they care any less about their values or that they are bad people.

What really rubs me the wrong way about discussing politics these days is that as a country, we seem to have gotten into this mindset of everyone that agrees with me is thoughtful and everyone that disagrees with me is evil/stupid/greedy/naive/hateful/uneducated/etc.... There's always common ground, people.

I think it gets heated because more often than not, people just love to hear their selves talk. That, and a lot of people don't get to vent very often for whatever reasons, and then take the opportunity to just SAY SOMETHING.

If people weren't so egotistical - always have to be right, always think their views are the right views, et cetera - people with different views would get along a lot better.

I LOVE that picture so much!!! When was that taken?? It brings tears to my eyes.

for the most part certain subjects (politics and religion) shouldn't be discussed with people who aren't easy going and ok discussing opinions
i tend to keep it to my self unless i know the other person is respectful and mad cool

You could always be like Sean Penn and encourage people to vote, even when they don't know who they're voting for.

aimcifer, i'm in your situation. i'm conservative and most of my friends are liberal, and it's tough, but they (mostly) respect me for my integrity.

NurseDeAnna, lol!!!

seeinpink-- that's why I sometimes avoid talking about politics with my college friends. But that's kinda sad that your friend won't look past that... you had good times and all, and hopefully she would've been able to just ignore your differences. But I suppose it's for the best.

I'm looking to move to New York City in a few weeks. I'm Republican and proud of it and very into politics. I've seen roommate ads on Craigslist saying they don't want to live with Republicans which pisses me off. Because I am a Republican does that make my entire personality bad? I feel that until I get a good place to live I have to keep my political opinions to myself because NYC is very liberal and people will judge me if they knew I didn't agree with them. I think it's sad when it comes to that.