You're right, consistancy and direct refutations of arguments is crucial. I always try to practice the Golden Rule as I argue from both right reason and human experiance, along with the Bible if the person is Christian. I don't talk politics with my family very often because they all know how I feel and I am not changing their minds, unfortunately. But yes, both sides of my family possess a culture where family is extremely valued. Differences in political beliefs won't even register on that Richtor scale!?