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发帖数: 29846 | 1 By Carol Brown
If each of us can flip just one voter to our side we can double the power of
our vote on election day.
Wait!
Don't start rolling your eyes and typing a comment about the impossibility
of changing the mind of a liberal or about feeling fed up with anyone who is
in the squishy middle.
I used to be a liberal. And a very far-left-leaning one, at that. But like
countless others out there, I woke up and began a journey that has led me
to conservatism. I am proof positive that minds can be changed.
The question I often ask myself is how to inspire this kind of transition in
others. Why do some people change while others don't? Does it take a
major event to jolt them awake? Do some start a slow but steady evolution
in their thinking sparked by a tiny seed? There's probably no single
template for how a shift in thinking occurs. But the point is, it does
occur. And we need to keep those ripples going so we can expand our base,
win in November, and continue to make our voices heard beyond Election Day.
I'd love to hear readers' stories about their own transitions from liberal
to conservative and/or interactions you've had trying to wake up a sleeping
citizen. And as for the latter, I have a few ideas.
First, have your talking points honed so you can stay focused and not
overwhelm the other person. Have printed materials prepared, including a
few choice articles as well as links to some outstanding websites. Keep
materials on hand, in the car, etc.
Second, if possible, try to focus on an area with the other person that you
think might resonate. If they seem like they may be getting fed up with
unions, go down that path. If they are religious, go down that path, and
connect their religious values with your point. And so forth.
Third, remember that many people get defensive during face-to-face political
discussions. A few articles (or a link to a compelling video) that target
a relevant area can go a long way. After your verbal exchange, you can
leave the other person with something to read in private, without feeling
compelled to defend themselves.
Fourth, employ the Socratic Method. Focus on a handful of crucial issues
and develop a simple talking point followed by: "Why do you think that is?"
For example, "Obama has kept so many records about his background sealed.
Why do you think that is?" This can be a great way to engage the other
person and put them in the position of trying to explain something they may
have difficulty explaining. This creates an opening for you to gently make
a point. The interaction may leave them reflecting.
Try striking up conversations with complete strangers, such as in the
laundromat with a bunch of bored folks waiting for their clothes to finish
drying. A lot of people don't think long and hard about what's going on in
this country, and it may not take a whole lot to inform them about a few
things, get them fired up, and influence their thinking.
Don't waste energy on people who are seriously dug in. It will be a waste
of time and more aggravating than it's worth. Focus on folks who are unsure
of where they stand, who seem pretty clueless about what's going on, and/or
whose core values contradict their political leanings.
Remember, if each of us can get just one more person on our team, we double
our vote. And that is powerful.
And if in your travels you come across another conservative whose only game
plan is to vote on Election Day, light a fire under him and get him to take
action.
Keep the ripples going until we form a gigantic wave on November 6! |
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