Dad, do you always vote for Republicans?

You know I do boy.

Then I guess that means you're complicit in murdering all those little school kids. Your vote made it possible. That's not good Dad. Not good at all.

My mother wasn't 85, but she was a huge O'Reilly fan about a decade ago. I told her he was a disgusting idiot, and that I lost respect for her every time she reminded me she followed him. Guess who has Ruth Bader Ginsburg bumper stickers now.

I say what I think....If the other person is willing to debate....is fine...if he/she becomes out of line I make an about face and I go in my merry way. The age / relationship with the other person is of no importance when he/she becomes offensive.

Don’t talk about politics. If he brings it up, just act like you agree. Or if that doesn’t work throw in a ‘whatever’ now and then. There really isn’t much of a come back to that and it is an obvious statement that you are right and he is wrong. He won’t know what you think he is wrong about. But a little confusion at 85 never hurt anyone.

I try not to talk about it, it’s pointless and only makes people miserable

I found that it's pointless to broach the topic, they are so set in there ways.

You "go off like a bottle rocket" and you think your dad is the one who's irrational? I'm not being critical, just pointing out that you can't have a rational conversation with a person who's irrational. And if you're that emotionally invested, I doubt your dad is the problem.

A very dear friend and I , discovered we have opposing views on your topic . We decided it was best NOT to discuss politics . We value the friendship more highly , than expressing our views on that particular topic , so we don't .

It's your father and he's 85. Change the topic. If his age is affecting his mind, it is much easier to change the topic because he will quickly forget what the two of you were talking about a minute ago.

Oh man I really get this. I am very liberal and my father has gotten increasingly conservative as the years have gone by. He was also a lawyer so he can talk/bully any position. I have reached a point of managing both the amount of time and situations I spend with him. I usually try to avoid political topics with him. He is not religious nor particularly a supporter of Trump, and some issues he’s relatively liberal(gay rights), but he uses the word “liberal” like a dirty word and often misconstrues liberal positions. When things do come up, I will often try to gently suggest a different perspective than the one he gets from Fox News. But I’m not willing to get into major conflict with him about things on which he will definitely not change his opinions.

When my mother brings up politics i try to listen to her without responding much. She doesn't really follow politics, but she's one of those many people that supports Trump because she thought he was that populist in shining white armor come to save the people. She only watches local news and doesn't have much to form an opinion on. She's lucky she even knows how to turn a computer on. I try to take an understanding mediator like role with her when she starts talking politics.

OMG! I do feel your pain! Except for the fact that it is usually my 82 year old father who loses it. I called him on his birthday, chatting nicely, I mention that we bought two kayaks. He says "you can thank Trump for that." the chat turned rapidly after that, I warned him " if you keep this up, I'm going to hang up on you." He replied " I've got two more things to say..." Click! He came to visit last week and never said a word about Trump!

Just don't bring up politics when you are with them. There must be a thousand family things you guys can talk about.

I don't talk about because if I do well never speak again. He knows I think Trump is a vile disgusting human being. He thinks everything is getting better and the poor Trump family is being hounded by the media and democrats. He gets all of his information from Fox News and OANN. I can debate with stupidity and willful ignorance.

I no longer respect or admire my father and honestly love him less because he really isn't worthy of my love.