My advice: When you are overwhelmed by leftys, use their inability to remain composed against them.
Be intentionally irritating, like continually asking them to explain themselves as if their last explanation was insufficient. Ask if they believe people are basically good, or if people are generally self-sufficient. Get under their skin, not by underscoring your positions, but by underscoring the inconsistancy of theirs. Make them reveal their absurdities.
They will eventually reveal their genuine selves: small people on the inside with little room in their hearts for anyone but themselves.
Granted, this is more of an art than a science, but you know your audience better than I, and I’m sure you can figure out their weaknesses.
Once they’re broken, they’ll give up go elsewhere.
Excellent suggestions, thank you.
Now I have to put them into practice dealing with the off-the-wall lefties at SF Chronicle.