In my personal experience, it truly matters how far off the deep end any of my Democrat friends have gone. There are four of us that have been friends for over 25 years. Two of us are Republicans, one is a staunch Democrat and one is ALWAYS "undecided." She just never knows what to do or think. And no, we aren't able to persuade her one way or the other, either. She's a great Texas Hold "em player, LOL!
When we talk politics, we always agree to disagree and all of us can hold our own in an argument with lots of facts and figures...but we never, ever get to the point where any of us personally slanders the others for their opinion. We just stop the discussion before it turns ugly and turn the conversation to cute shoes or chocolate. ;)
Friendship is a lot like marriage in that way (and vice versa.) I mean, my husband has done and said some really boneheaded things over the years, but it would never occur to me to slander him to others. And he, too, leans to the left...but he listens at least, and lets me do my thing...have political planning meetings at the house, fill the yard and my car with campaign signs, etc. I guess it never occurs to him to "slander" me for my views, either, so it works for us.
Welcome to Free Republic. Love your tagline!