There is nothing anyone can say or do to change someone from a Democrat to a Republican or vise versa. It is not an outside process where one person can explain one's position and it will have an effect. It is inside realization that you see things one way or another. I do believe you can change to a different party, but that change may just be a final realization that you believe X. I come to this conclusion based on a number of political events.
First the Clinton impeachment hearings: I heard the most elequent speeches delivered on both sides, showing obvious understanding of what one senator was telling another. But when it came to their conclusion, the same partisan attack served as the end, as if everything they said was seemlessly related to this undeniable fact, whatever they were speaking about. I was mistaken in believing that these guys were just partisan puppets. Both sides were brilliant in their use of metaphor and logic. But I was astounded how the Republicans arguments seemed to make huge leaps from premise to conclusion.
I think I was astounded because I am a Democrat. Being a Democrat, I am unable to see the Republican point of view, or at least the logic of it. I am blind to its reason, just as Republicans are blind to the reasoning of Democrats. What is unbelievable to me, may be quite common place to a Republican. The same is of course true on the otherside. I've seen Republicans get bent out of shape about the most innocent of events. But amazingly, most Republicans will act like they've been insulted to the highest order.
This Presidential election has also seved as an example. Position after position is put forth by extremely intelligent people. Ignorance may send someone from one party to another, but intelligence does not. Call out any college and any IQ score and you will find both Democrats and Republicans fully represented.
So I go further and speculate, because I am a Democrat, I cannot know for sure, but I believe PRIORITIES may, in fact, be the difference. Those priorities can be either positive or negative. I don't want this or that and I can't live without this or that. Here's an example. A Democrat might say, "I can't believe in a country of this wealth we can't take care of our poor." I know, personal responsibility, remember, I'm a Democrat, so I don't believe what you think. Besides I could give you example after example why personal responsibility used in this argument is a crock: Here's just one: sometimes the poor are mentally ill. My priority is to make life a little less tough for someone who needs a hand.
OK, now your turn "Big government is the reason our country is in the financial shape its in" This statement means nothing to me. How big is too big? Why don't we have fiscal responsibility? What services are you willing to drop to get this "small" government Don't answer me remember I'm a Democrat, I don't care what you think! I assume your priority is for everyone to be making more money? But I can't say for sure, because I'm a democrat and I don't understand you.
See that's what this election and the Clinton impeachment hearings have taught me: we can't understand each other no matter how hard we try, so why bother. All these fights we have in bars and family gatherings, why even open your mouth, you won't be understood. In the immortal words of Dick Chaney we should all just tell each other to F----------.