Yep. Waking up this morning to, via the CNN headline, “US Economy Added 353,000 Jobs in January.” Surely multiple factors are involved in this, just as when there is a downturn. Still, all together now:
Thanks, Joe.
Jobs up. Inflation down. Unemployment stays low. Interest rate cuts likely. Bidenomics is working. When will the American peo…
Yep. Waking up this morning to, via the CNN headline, “US Economy Added 353,000 Jobs in January.” Surely multiple factors are involved in this, just as when there is a downturn. Still, all together now:
Thanks, Joe.
Jobs up. Inflation down. Unemployment stays low. Interest rate cuts likely. Bidenomics is working. When will the American people wake up, look around them, and see that good things are happening with the economy and for their future, as opposed to simply regurgitating stale, largely obsolete GOP talking points on cue that Sleepy Joe is leading us to ruin and collapse?
As the old saying goes, I see better than I hear. And what I see has been getting better and better for average people like you and me. Surely this will begin to gain traction at some point, no? Lord knows that if it had been happening under P01135809, we would not hear the end of it. He would be taking all the credit for it, and loudly so. Or shooting someone on Fifth Avenue and getting away with it. Or both. Maybe even in that order.
"Lord knows that if it had been happening under P01135809, we would not hear the end of it. He would be taking all the credit for it, and loudly so. Or shooting someone on Fifth Avenue and getting away with it. Or both. Maybe even in that order."
Then he and the Republicans proceed to rail about rising violent crime in cities under Joe Biden.
And yet they don't have a problem with the Jan 6th "hostages" that Trump incited or that he thinks the president can't be punished for absolutely any crime he commits as President. If the courts agree with him, someone in power who can legally commit any crime without breaking the law should consider kidnapping a dangerous serial law breaker and stash him in Antarctica.
If confronted by continuing good economic news,I could see Trump using the argument that the deep state economic stats are behind this because they want to elect Joe.But my gut feeling is MAGA/Republicans will go silent and drop the issue(as they always do) and go onto something else; like immigration.
Also, year over year wages rose 4.5% last year. This ran ahead inflation in 2023. People and corporate media just love to whine and follow the leads of Bartiromo and Larry Kudlow nonsense.
I read somewhere yesterday a person was complaining about the price of McDonalds and how inflation is out of control and of course hi prices at McDonald's is Biden's fault. I explained prices are determined by what people are willing to pay. If I think a restaurant is too expensive, I stop going. If a lot of people do, the restaurant lowers the prices. Same with McDonalds. Same with Teslas, if demand goes down, prices go down.
This is what I am getting; He didn't think the bust of 2008-2009 would amount to anything.He didn't think the Dot.com and hosing bubbles would amount to anything.In short, if one went by his advice they would be in awful shape.
In my view, the prior stubbornness of the “vibe-cession” is due to the new American cultural hunger for constant drama. “Steady as she goes” just doesn’t tickle that erogenous zone that needs to be stimulated on an hourly basis. Thus we got Trump.
Signs of hope? I’m in. Steady as she goes is how the real world works. We need to regain that former American trait of delayed gratification; a feature of maturity and emotional health.
Good point. Positive economic news never seems to generate as much excitement as sports teams or what Taylor is up to. I'm always amazed at how many people feel more of a need to be entertained than to be informed.
OMG! That's why they like Trump. He's constantly spouting bs. I was listening a podcast last week that said after the Dominion lawsuit, Fox News stopped overtly spouting pro Trump lies. They interviewed Trump supporters who are now saying Fox has been co-opted and now only listen to Steve Bannon and News max and other election denying "news" outlets. They don't want the truth. I think if Trump said that it was all lies that the election was stolen, and he did incite a riot and he's been lying all the time, they would think he was a body double the Democrats put up and Trump is being held in a dungeon.
Politics as entertainment or as blood sport? It's looking like the latter these days.
And I do think the 24 hour news cycle plus the profit motive keeps media hunting for new news that shocks and gets people to pay attention. Bad news excites people, keeps them watching. Hearing that everything is fine makes folks ignore the media. My local tv stations' 11 PM broadcasts are straight from a police blotter and not just the local blotter...from all over my large state and a couple of nearby states too. It's only broken up by weather forecasts and sports stories. It's no wonder people believe this country is headed in the wrong direction.
I think you nailed the crux of our current discord; politics as entertainment. Also, too many aspects of our actual entertainment are viciously tribal - ask Taylor Swift. I hope the fever breaks soon.
Here’s my vain hope: they jumped the shark with their bizarre attack on a much beloved cultural icon, who did absolutely nothing wrong other than celebrate the processes of democracy. A bridge too far? In a rational world that would be a resounding YES. But the refrain is, “there is no bottom”.
Yeah. We know he has the Chase CEO in his hip pocket. Others are sure to follow. It's up to the American people to think about it and realize that what is in Jamie Dimon's best interests is not necessarily the same thing as what is best for them, or best for the nation overall, and vote accordingly.
Jamie Dimon knows his best interests are served by a 2nd Biden term, but he is hedging his bets. He knows Biden won't use the full power of the Executive branch to ruin him and his company for expressing support for Trump, whereas he fears what a re-empowered Trump would do if he publicly supported Biden. He's laying low not to get on Trump's revenge radar while hoping someone else takes him down - just like all the other cynical calculating cowards who've passively allowed him to do so much damage for so long as they looked out for themselves instead of using what power they had to try stopping him from destroying the world.
You aren't wrong at all, but at least with Dimon he wasn't elected by the American people to stand up for democracy, the rule of law, and the Constitution.
It does seem that Biden's poll numbers are improving. Of course, it's still early, and still time for plenty of ups and downs and there will be ups and downs. Still, more and more people are bound to notice the economy is getting better (as long as it keeps getting better), and Trump's craziness is getting harder to ignore.
We'll know for sure we've turned a corner when the NYT runs a headline: "Employment's Up, Inflation's Down, Here's Why That's Bad News for Trump."
Yes, and a lot of polls this far out have people who pooh-pooh Biden without considering the alternative. Just a way to show they're disgruntled. No one likes to admit they're voting for the lesser of two evils, and people who don't follow politics closely will say they don't want to vote for either candidate. That's one reason why, regardless of what the polls say now, most of Biden's 81 million voters will "come home." Of course, most of Trump's 74 million will come home too, and the election will be too damn close for comfort.
I still see people regarding their perception of breakfast cereal prices as the REAL metric of economic health. There is a large pool of folks who have no interest in facts. As they say, you can't reason a person out of a position they didn't reason themselves into.
You're right, but just think how screwed we'd be if inflation really was still "raging" and employment falling. The best situation is Biden gets credit for an incredible economy and wins handily. The second best is that Biden gets credit with just enough folks to win Mich., Wis., Pa., and maybe Ga. and Az.
When will this gain traction? Never, if Fox News has anything to do with it. I harped on this after last month's job report but hop over to the Fox website and this is what you will see: The lead story on the economy proclaims, "Layoffs Skyrocket in 2024". Under the "fold" appears the less important story about today's blowout jobs report.
True, but then there are all those non-Fox-watching people who simply refuse to look, listen, and think. At what point does success trickle down and rain on their heads that, for most of us, we are indeed better off than we were four years ago?
If they can't see that things are getting better economically, and that people are spending discretionary income and living rather well overall, they simply aren't paying attention. There are lots of our peers among the progressive industrialized nations that would trade their economy for ours right now, and would prefer to have Joe Biden as their leader over whom they have in charge. Taken all together, it is past time here to start hearing the chant: Four ... More ... Years.
Most people are so whiny. Things are never perfect but the US has the best economy amongst industrial nations. If voters decided Biden is not good with economy and want Trump, it just shows people love the bread and circus and authoritarianism.
The last 20 or so years of media telling people that they are “Special” combined with the isolation of Covid has resulted in a vast number of self-absorbed citizens. Reading “Buzz Feed” this week, one respondent angrily commented that the biggest problem in the US was that he was expected to “work, consume and pay taxes.” My reaction was, “Hello? Yes and get a life! At a minimum get outside and think of others.”
For starters, every undecided voter in America and those willing to change their vote from R to D if the news remains good and they themselves are doing well through the summer and into the fall. That should be enough to make the needed difference.
Just letting off steam.(good therapy).The good economy that keeps improving will sink in.Voters perceptions are always lagging.But in helps if there is a constant messaging.
Ginny P great point. And to clarify-- I'm not talking about going up to strangers and asking them to vote (I see some comments-- I'm not responding to a rando!) What I mean is asking your children 18+, what are their plans about registering/voting? Same for siblings, close friends. It is shocking how many people actually don't bother to vote and the excuses! Encourage to vote by mail so no same day excuses (like my brother-- oh, the line was too long). Also, nicely explain (especially to your children who you gave life and $$$ to) that voting third party is a vote for Trump.
My husband and I talk about how we will vote and if we choose a different candidate we don't critisize, we just discuss why we think differently. Generally we agree, especially about the Presidential election.
This is my personal complaint with Vote By Mail, which I have enjoyed for 20+ years in Oregon. Women vote differently than men, writ large, but that assumes the privacy of a secret ballot. Many, many domestic relationships are unbalanced in terms of power, and women have learned to choose their battles. Being coerced how to vote doesn’t top that list in difficult relationships.
Oh my goodness, you sweet summer child. I know a woman with an MBA from Purdue, and after her divorce she told me she ALWAYS complied with his voting instructions. I recently participated in a professionally designed political poll (local issue) which included specific voters selected based on gender and location etc for a broad base; all of us experienced men answering the phone who would not allow their female partners to answer the poll, even when we asked for them by name. They wanted to answer for her.
As I find them, yes. The stakes are too high not to do so. As a Germanist I have a habit of speaking my mind and not holding back. Some people like it and are willing to listen and discuss. Others take me off of their Christmas card list. I'm okay with the tradeoff, given the seriousness of the situation.
I usually don't give my opinions.But it's a different story if asked.When I'm writing comments and replies in The Bulwark,it is a whole different story! I also like conversing with other Bulwark readers.
Ginny, you are absolutely right and raise an issue that I've been thinking a lot about lately. In my view, the most effective means at our disposal for heading off disaster is for people like us to have actual conversations with undecided and persuadable voters, particularly those in swing states. Expressing our views in our own echo-chambers is not going to get the job done. I'd love for the Bulwark community (including the writers) to start brainstorming on the best ways to begin communicating with those voters.
It does not matter. I would view it as a great success if each of us could convince one swing state voter who otherwise would have cast a nonchalant vote for Trump to not do so. The margins may be that close and the issues are too important.
BillyVT-- exactly! Just ONE person! Even if you are sure that one person you know in the swing state is going to vote the right way--- they may not have a clear plan about voting (hmm, I can't remember if I registered when I moved, where's my polling place?) or they may be considering 3rd party (wah, Biden is not perfect!). Also encourage them to ask their friends about plans on voting.
Pick newspapers and write letters to the editor. Volunteer time with organizations that do community outreach in ways where exchanges of opinions and presentations of facts are welcomed and encouraged. Leave comments on websites where people have such discussions as these and aren't all-in for MAGA. There are ways to reach others whom we don't know. The key is to be persistent. At some point those undecided or flexible voters can join what they see to what they read or hear and let it influence their choices. We can be their means to that end.
Remember that recent Bulwark Podcast with Charlie talking to Brian Klaas about why everything we do matters? (Go listen to it if you haven't yet. It was fascinating.) Something small that you said or did can prompt someone you don't know to think or behave differently than they might have. You won't even know it but that's ok. The goal isn't extra credit, recognition, or even to know that you influenced someone. You're just trying to help. The trying is the important part.
Another key is to maintain a lack of belligerence, which is hard when the other side is overly endowed. That’s what has made this forum such a pleasure. Unfortunately it’s so rare.
Yes. I've seen ample cases where coming on too strong turns people off and becomes counterproductive. The key is to listen as much as you talk and to have a civil, give-and-take discussion, and to not fly off the handle if someone sees the details differently. I've gotten flexibility out of people by simply stating, "You make a fair point. But I've also found that ...". The truth usually wins out in the end if people are willing to hear it.
I used to meet with customers daily (often with total strangers).Observe and listen.What are their likes and dislikes.Treat them as best friends. Then you can talk.
I try to see it as an opportunity for personal growth, to avoid responding in kind. I’m not sure how I’d rate myself so far. I live remotely and don’t have many contacts with MAGAs in order to practice. I did have one, a couple years ago that evolved into actual friendship for a while, but it turned out there were hidden mental health issues, stemming from childhood abuse, and it ended badly. So, not a representative sample!
Yep. Waking up this morning to, via the CNN headline, “US Economy Added 353,000 Jobs in January.” Surely multiple factors are involved in this, just as when there is a downturn. Still, all together now:
Thanks, Joe.
Jobs up. Inflation down. Unemployment stays low. Interest rate cuts likely. Bidenomics is working. When will the American people wake up, look around them, and see that good things are happening with the economy and for their future, as opposed to simply regurgitating stale, largely obsolete GOP talking points on cue that Sleepy Joe is leading us to ruin and collapse?
As the old saying goes, I see better than I hear. And what I see has been getting better and better for average people like you and me. Surely this will begin to gain traction at some point, no? Lord knows that if it had been happening under P01135809, we would not hear the end of it. He would be taking all the credit for it, and loudly so. Or shooting someone on Fifth Avenue and getting away with it. Or both. Maybe even in that order.
"Lord knows that if it had been happening under P01135809, we would not hear the end of it. He would be taking all the credit for it, and loudly so. Or shooting someone on Fifth Avenue and getting away with it. Or both. Maybe even in that order."
Then he and the Republicans proceed to rail about rising violent crime in cities under Joe Biden.
And yet they don't have a problem with the Jan 6th "hostages" that Trump incited or that he thinks the president can't be punished for absolutely any crime he commits as President. If the courts agree with him, someone in power who can legally commit any crime without breaking the law should consider kidnapping a dangerous serial law breaker and stash him in Antarctica.
If confronted by continuing good economic news,I could see Trump using the argument that the deep state economic stats are behind this because they want to elect Joe.But my gut feeling is MAGA/Republicans will go silent and drop the issue(as they always do) and go onto something else; like immigration.
Also, year over year wages rose 4.5% last year. This ran ahead inflation in 2023. People and corporate media just love to whine and follow the leads of Bartiromo and Larry Kudlow nonsense.
I read somewhere yesterday a person was complaining about the price of McDonalds and how inflation is out of control and of course hi prices at McDonald's is Biden's fault. I explained prices are determined by what people are willing to pay. If I think a restaurant is too expensive, I stop going. If a lot of people do, the restaurant lowers the prices. Same with McDonalds. Same with Teslas, if demand goes down, prices go down.
Also, people are complaining a lot because they are paying exorbitant amount for Uber eat and door dash post pandemic. Sigh.
Seriously has anybody been as bad in predicting what the economy will do as Larry Kudlow?
He doesn’t predict the economy. If it is a Republican president then it is the best economy and if a Dem then the worst according to Kudlow.
This is what I am getting; He didn't think the bust of 2008-2009 would amount to anything.He didn't think the Dot.com and hosing bubbles would amount to anything.In short, if one went by his advice they would be in awful shape.
He was just a cheerleader for corporate interests (unless you are a woke corporation).
In my view, the prior stubbornness of the “vibe-cession” is due to the new American cultural hunger for constant drama. “Steady as she goes” just doesn’t tickle that erogenous zone that needs to be stimulated on an hourly basis. Thus we got Trump.
Signs of hope? I’m in. Steady as she goes is how the real world works. We need to regain that former American trait of delayed gratification; a feature of maturity and emotional health.
"Steady as you go" isn't "sexy". A lot like good governance.
Good point. Positive economic news never seems to generate as much excitement as sports teams or what Taylor is up to. I'm always amazed at how many people feel more of a need to be entertained than to be informed.
OMG! That's why they like Trump. He's constantly spouting bs. I was listening a podcast last week that said after the Dominion lawsuit, Fox News stopped overtly spouting pro Trump lies. They interviewed Trump supporters who are now saying Fox has been co-opted and now only listen to Steve Bannon and News max and other election denying "news" outlets. They don't want the truth. I think if Trump said that it was all lies that the election was stolen, and he did incite a riot and he's been lying all the time, they would think he was a body double the Democrats put up and Trump is being held in a dungeon.
Especially MAGA and Taylor Swift right now.
Politics as entertainment or as blood sport? It's looking like the latter these days.
And I do think the 24 hour news cycle plus the profit motive keeps media hunting for new news that shocks and gets people to pay attention. Bad news excites people, keeps them watching. Hearing that everything is fine makes folks ignore the media. My local tv stations' 11 PM broadcasts are straight from a police blotter and not just the local blotter...from all over my large state and a couple of nearby states too. It's only broken up by weather forecasts and sports stories. It's no wonder people believe this country is headed in the wrong direction.
I think you nailed the crux of our current discord; politics as entertainment. Also, too many aspects of our actual entertainment are viciously tribal - ask Taylor Swift. I hope the fever breaks soon.
I don't concerning the MAGA/ Swift bro ha ha. It just shows how totally idiotic MAGA is.
Here’s my vain hope: they jumped the shark with their bizarre attack on a much beloved cultural icon, who did absolutely nothing wrong other than celebrate the processes of democracy. A bridge too far? In a rational world that would be a resounding YES. But the refrain is, “there is no bottom”.
PO1135809 is already trying to take credit for it, saying it is the result of businesses giddy at his assured triumphant return to the White House.
Yeah. We know he has the Chase CEO in his hip pocket. Others are sure to follow. It's up to the American people to think about it and realize that what is in Jamie Dimon's best interests is not necessarily the same thing as what is best for them, or best for the nation overall, and vote accordingly.
Jamie Dimon knows his best interests are served by a 2nd Biden term, but he is hedging his bets. He knows Biden won't use the full power of the Executive branch to ruin him and his company for expressing support for Trump, whereas he fears what a re-empowered Trump would do if he publicly supported Biden. He's laying low not to get on Trump's revenge radar while hoping someone else takes him down - just like all the other cynical calculating cowards who've passively allowed him to do so much damage for so long as they looked out for themselves instead of using what power they had to try stopping him from destroying the world.
You aren't wrong at all, but at least with Dimon he wasn't elected by the American people to stand up for democracy, the rule of law, and the Constitution.
It does seem that Biden's poll numbers are improving. Of course, it's still early, and still time for plenty of ups and downs and there will be ups and downs. Still, more and more people are bound to notice the economy is getting better (as long as it keeps getting better), and Trump's craziness is getting harder to ignore.
We'll know for sure we've turned a corner when the NYT runs a headline: "Employment's Up, Inflation's Down, Here's Why That's Bad News for Trump."
Voters perceptions are always lagging.
Yes, and a lot of polls this far out have people who pooh-pooh Biden without considering the alternative. Just a way to show they're disgruntled. No one likes to admit they're voting for the lesser of two evils, and people who don't follow politics closely will say they don't want to vote for either candidate. That's one reason why, regardless of what the polls say now, most of Biden's 81 million voters will "come home." Of course, most of Trump's 74 million will come home too, and the election will be too damn close for comfort.
That is why I am hoping that Biden doesn't have some kind health scare.
You and me and 80 million others.
I still see people regarding their perception of breakfast cereal prices as the REAL metric of economic health. There is a large pool of folks who have no interest in facts. As they say, you can't reason a person out of a position they didn't reason themselves into.
Then they are gone.
You're right, but just think how screwed we'd be if inflation really was still "raging" and employment falling. The best situation is Biden gets credit for an incredible economy and wins handily. The second best is that Biden gets credit with just enough folks to win Mich., Wis., Pa., and maybe Ga. and Az.
It will come down to the swing states.Guaranteed.
Mos Def.
When will this gain traction? Never, if Fox News has anything to do with it. I harped on this after last month's job report but hop over to the Fox website and this is what you will see: The lead story on the economy proclaims, "Layoffs Skyrocket in 2024". Under the "fold" appears the less important story about today's blowout jobs report.
I can attest that I see many Fox viewers post that Biden's simply riding Trump's great economy now...
It's friggin' unbelievable...
They just regurgitate what the Orange Man says
Ones who follow nothing but FOX or equivalents are gone anyway.
True, but then there are all those non-Fox-watching people who simply refuse to look, listen, and think. At what point does success trickle down and rain on their heads that, for most of us, we are indeed better off than we were four years ago?
If they can't see that things are getting better economically, and that people are spending discretionary income and living rather well overall, they simply aren't paying attention. There are lots of our peers among the progressive industrialized nations that would trade their economy for ours right now, and would prefer to have Joe Biden as their leader over whom they have in charge. Taken all together, it is past time here to start hearing the chant: Four ... More ... Years.
The rest of the world would give anything to have our economy
Most people are so whiny. Things are never perfect but the US has the best economy amongst industrial nations. If voters decided Biden is not good with economy and want Trump, it just shows people love the bread and circus and authoritarianism.
The last 20 or so years of media telling people that they are “Special” combined with the isolation of Covid has resulted in a vast number of self-absorbed citizens. Reading “Buzz Feed” this week, one respondent angrily commented that the biggest problem in the US was that he was expected to “work, consume and pay taxes.” My reaction was, “Hello? Yes and get a life! At a minimum get outside and think of others.”
For starters, every undecided voter in America and those willing to change their vote from R to D if the news remains good and they themselves are doing well through the summer and into the fall. That should be enough to make the needed difference.
Just letting off steam.(good therapy).The good economy that keeps improving will sink in.Voters perceptions are always lagging.But in helps if there is a constant messaging.
Ginny P great point. And to clarify-- I'm not talking about going up to strangers and asking them to vote (I see some comments-- I'm not responding to a rando!) What I mean is asking your children 18+, what are their plans about registering/voting? Same for siblings, close friends. It is shocking how many people actually don't bother to vote and the excuses! Encourage to vote by mail so no same day excuses (like my brother-- oh, the line was too long). Also, nicely explain (especially to your children who you gave life and $$$ to) that voting third party is a vote for Trump.
"Get your kicks on Route 66".
I don't even tell my wife who I vote for. If someone rando asked me.........
I do .We vote the same.
My husband and I talk about how we will vote and if we choose a different candidate we don't critisize, we just discuss why we think differently. Generally we agree, especially about the Presidential election.
You should tell him that he votes wrong. That should ruffle his feathers.
This is my personal complaint with Vote By Mail, which I have enjoyed for 20+ years in Oregon. Women vote differently than men, writ large, but that assumes the privacy of a secret ballot. Many, many domestic relationships are unbalanced in terms of power, and women have learned to choose their battles. Being coerced how to vote doesn’t top that list in difficult relationships.
Really!? A woman will vote the way her husband tells her in 2024!? That is ludicrous.
Oh my goodness, you sweet summer child. I know a woman with an MBA from Purdue, and after her divorce she told me she ALWAYS complied with his voting instructions. I recently participated in a professionally designed political poll (local issue) which included specific voters selected based on gender and location etc for a broad base; all of us experienced men answering the phone who would not allow their female partners to answer the poll, even when we asked for them by name. They wanted to answer for her.
My mother always went to the polls by herself and never told my dad whom she voted for.
My wife and I are very similar politically, but she's never 100 percent sure about me Lol.
Sounds healthy! Love it!
I’m glad for that. I wish all women felt so empowered. But we know that’s not the case.
As I find them, yes. The stakes are too high not to do so. As a Germanist I have a habit of speaking my mind and not holding back. Some people like it and are willing to listen and discuss. Others take me off of their Christmas card list. I'm okay with the tradeoff, given the seriousness of the situation.
I usually don't give my opinions.But it's a different story if asked.When I'm writing comments and replies in The Bulwark,it is a whole different story! I also like conversing with other Bulwark readers.
I'm mostly referring to all the breaking news coming from retirees interviews in Indiana diners.
Ginny, you are absolutely right and raise an issue that I've been thinking a lot about lately. In my view, the most effective means at our disposal for heading off disaster is for people like us to have actual conversations with undecided and persuadable voters, particularly those in swing states. Expressing our views in our own echo-chambers is not going to get the job done. I'd love for the Bulwark community (including the writers) to start brainstorming on the best ways to begin communicating with those voters.
Sarah has her own way of doing it.
It does not matter. I would view it as a great success if each of us could convince one swing state voter who otherwise would have cast a nonchalant vote for Trump to not do so. The margins may be that close and the issues are too important.
BillyVT-- exactly! Just ONE person! Even if you are sure that one person you know in the swing state is going to vote the right way--- they may not have a clear plan about voting (hmm, I can't remember if I registered when I moved, where's my polling place?) or they may be considering 3rd party (wah, Biden is not perfect!). Also encourage them to ask their friends about plans on voting.
Pick newspapers and write letters to the editor. Volunteer time with organizations that do community outreach in ways where exchanges of opinions and presentations of facts are welcomed and encouraged. Leave comments on websites where people have such discussions as these and aren't all-in for MAGA. There are ways to reach others whom we don't know. The key is to be persistent. At some point those undecided or flexible voters can join what they see to what they read or hear and let it influence their choices. We can be their means to that end.
Remember that recent Bulwark Podcast with Charlie talking to Brian Klaas about why everything we do matters? (Go listen to it if you haven't yet. It was fascinating.) Something small that you said or did can prompt someone you don't know to think or behave differently than they might have. You won't even know it but that's ok. The goal isn't extra credit, recognition, or even to know that you influenced someone. You're just trying to help. The trying is the important part.
Another key is to maintain a lack of belligerence, which is hard when the other side is overly endowed. That’s what has made this forum such a pleasure. Unfortunately it’s so rare.
Yes. I've seen ample cases where coming on too strong turns people off and becomes counterproductive. The key is to listen as much as you talk and to have a civil, give-and-take discussion, and to not fly off the handle if someone sees the details differently. I've gotten flexibility out of people by simply stating, "You make a fair point. But I've also found that ...". The truth usually wins out in the end if people are willing to hear it.
I used to meet with customers daily (often with total strangers).Observe and listen.What are their likes and dislikes.Treat them as best friends. Then you can talk.
I try to see it as an opportunity for personal growth, to avoid responding in kind. I’m not sure how I’d rate myself so far. I live remotely and don’t have many contacts with MAGAs in order to practice. I did have one, a couple years ago that evolved into actual friendship for a while, but it turned out there were hidden mental health issues, stemming from childhood abuse, and it ended badly. So, not a representative sample!