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!
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!