Bringing voters to your side; How to

[TriggerMan]

We've had some good discussion on politics. Some not so good. Some closed too soon perhaps, some certainly not closed soon enough

When bringing Undecided Independents or even polar opposites to your political side, what do you think is Effective?

[O'Dell]

If we're talking politics, religion, or NASCAR here, it'll never work.

[TheTman]

Some things are so ingrained in people that no argument or facts can persuade them to look at any view but their own. Polictics, religion, right to life, right to work, and guns are some real hot button issues that people are unlikely to change their mind about. Not saying it can't be done, but takes a lot of effort.

[muggsy]

I always attempt to use logic first. If that doesn't work I try humor. If that fails I usually go to for bludgeon. I've yet to go for my guns, but on a few occasions I've been sorely tempted. What some see as caring others see as enabling. Somewhere there is a middle ground. I prefer a time out to the closing of a thread. We will never resolve our differences if we don't discuss them. Let's try to do so in an adult manner.

[melissa5]

Just for the record, I did not vote to "call your opponent the anti-christ". LOL

[CJB]

I've won over a few bleeding heart touchy feely northeast liberals. It wasn't easy, it didn't take one session... but it worked.

I used the Walter E Williams approach of explaining taxation amounts.

I used the example of their own IRS returns (as compared to my own - they made considerably more than me).

The clincher - I used the logic, explained in their own vernacular, of personal risk... laying your ass on the line, and reaping the reward, or failing miserably. You win, its yours. But if you burn... nobody else burns with you.

Then I stay on them... and not let the dark side take them back. So far so good.

I've actually made some Allen West supporters out of them. He's my congressman now. And two looking forward to him becoming THEIR congressman (redistricting).

And... I have a communist (literally) co-worker, who is oblivious to any sort of logic. He says the government should control all business, and that the people and workers should reap the benefit of all business equally. Private risk taking, achievement and enterprise should be illegal - or at least all profits of private ventire should go to the government.

On that last item... it seems like they damn well almost do right now.

[DubDubU]

I would have picked " My Kahr is bigger than yours" if it were an option.

[Longitude Zero]

With some folks the anti-attitude is so deeply ingrained you are just urinating into the wind. With others I try to find various points we agree upon both weapon related and not and then over time steer the conversation to weapons.

[Bawanna]

I always attempt to use logic first. If that doesn't work I try humor. If that fails I usually go to for bludgeon. I've yet to go for my guns, but on a few occasions I've been sorely tempted. What some see as caring others see as enabling. Somewhere there is a middle ground. I prefer a time out to the closing of a thread. We will never resolve our differences if we don't discuss them. Let's try to do so in an adult manner.

I don't have a time out button YET. If the discussion stays civil and in an adult manner I don't close it.
I try to put my personal feelings aside when I take the safety off the close thread button. I consider this my happy place and don't care much for ugly. Usually I'll receive numerous thank you PM's for the closures or I'll get numerous PM's saying what's the hold up, close this thing. So while I take full responsibility for my actions, often times I'm not the only one with the closure idea.
If there's some solid reason to keep a thread I've closed open it maybe should have been posted before it was closed. Also that button does have a reverse on it so a closed thread can be reopened. I don't recall any in recent times that deserved to be reopened but maybe so.

[Tilos]

It's very difficult for someone to admit being wrong.

You will never know, unless you are in the booth when they vote.

My poll choice isn't on your list.

O None of the above

Tilos

[muggsy]

I don't have a time out button YET. If the discussion stays civil and in an adult manner I don't close it.
I try to put my personal feelings aside when I take the safety off the close thread button. I consider this my happy place and don't care much for ugly. Usually I'll receive numerous thank you PM's for the closures or I'll get numerous PM's saying what's the hold up, close this thing. So while I take full responsibility for my actions, often times I'm not the only one with the closure idea.
If there's some solid reason to keep a thread I've closed open it maybe should have been posted before it was closed. Also that button does have a reverse on it so a closed thread can be reopened. I don't recall any in recent times that deserved to be reopened but maybe so.

When you are the moderator you can do no wrong. I have no objection to a thread being closed if it gets out of hand. I'm a little less sensitive to spirited debate than others, but I can appreciate their positions. In any regard, no hard feelings toward anyone.

[CJB]

It's very difficult for someone to admit being wrong.

Ah, but the idea is not to make them realize they are wrong.

For instance - capitalism 101 discussion - when describing risk, profit, loss... its critical to explain it terms that they themselves can relate to...making their own "deals" for instance. How about if they need workers/employees? Don't make it a labor issue... instead, make it a help issue. They need a driver to deliver the stuff. Do they cut the driver in for equal equity in their profit? No, they pay him according to what they can get him to do the job for. Will he do it for free? No. Ok, how about a dollar? No. Ok, two? No. Etc... at some point he accepts, and at some point the going local rate for drivers will more or less be known, although... its always subject to fluctuation.

Its not an argument to win, its a ideology to infuse.

[Tilos]

CJB:
Understood, just too much effort for me.
I have found logic not to be their strong point.
I'll let you handle it.

For me, I'd rather put my effort in getting like minded people to the voting booth and that they can affect change.

just sayin'
Tilos

[CJB]

its ok... these are just people I deal with...

the like minded folks I know are chompin' to get into the booth!

[tv_racin_fan]

I got no problem getting in the booth, what I have issue with are the choices I am allowed to select from. Seems kinda silly to go into the booth when none of the above is a valid selection...