Adair Creach
Life is moving along just fine, and suddenly the unthinkable happens — you discover that your friend is a Romney/Ryan supporter. It may seem like your world has stopped turning, but don’t worry; there is hope for both you and your friend. The following steps will help guide your friend along in the healing process.
Step One: Tell your friend that you love him, and that you’ll get through this together. Support him, but don’t support his choices. Be there with love and guidance as your friend moves through this dark time.
Step Two: Sit your friend down, and kindly, gently, lead him through what is known as a “reality check.” Present the facts gently but firmly. Make sure he understands what it means to be a Romney supporter — does he really want to stand behind someone who wants to altogether eliminate Planned Parenthood and deny affordable healthcare to millions of Americans in need? Is he ready to elect someone to the White House who is so out of touch with economic reality that he defines $250k/year as an average middle class income? Someone should probably let him know that the average household income for Americans in 2011 was actually $50,054. Romney spends $77,000 a year just on his Olympic horse.
Does your friend want America to be represented by a man whose diplomatic attempts have been an absolute fiasco? From successfully insulting England (one of our strongest allies) to his disgraceful comments after the attack on the Libyan embassy, Romney has clearly and repeatedly shown his inability to handle foreign affairs. Make sure that your friend understands what his decision means for his own life, for the lives of Americans across all social classes, and for America’s reputation in the global community.
Step Three: Give your friend time and space to think things over. If he reconsiders, celebrate. Seriously. Hardcore. Throw a rager — red-white-and-blue themed rager with pinatas full of middle-class tax cuts and gay rights. However, if he is still feeling pro-Romney, proceed to step four.
Step Four: Accept it. Accept that the two of you have political differences and let it go. Do not judge, pester or by any means ostracize him for his beliefs. Sure, you’re probably right, but let’s keep in mind that this is America. For better or worse, that means that we all have the right to be wrong.
Stand up for what you believe, but do so with grace and patience towards others who do not share your views. After all, who would you respect more: an angry kid who’s red in the face screaming that you’re stupid, or a rational person who just wants to express opinions on current issues?
Whatever happens, stay calm. You can do this. November is fast approaching, and while I can’t promise that all the madness in Washington is almost over, I can promise there will soon be fewer attack ads on YouTube. Hang in there.