I have had recent luck making some war-hawk, so-called “conservatives” realize that our foreign policy actually helps create and strengthen groups like ISIS.
I have changed my approach when having political discussions to a much calmer approach, and rather than arguing and pushing my points on people, I ask them questions that have them start thinking about and questioning their beliefs in ways they may not have considered.
I feel it helps that I see through the left/right paradigm, and that most people align themselves with left/right beliefs based on the media they follow, so many peoples opinions are very predictable.
I think it also helps that consevatives can not label me as a liberal, and vise versa.
The media does a great job of establishing the limits of debate on subjects and always creates a left/right opposite opinion, no matter what the subject, creating teams of thoughts.
We need to stop aligning ourselves with teams and start having open and serious discussions with people with opposing opinions in the political world, now, maybe more so than ever.
I think getting rid of the two party system as we know it would be a great start.