General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMichelle Obama: You might learn something
Maybe this should be the new tagline for Discussionist
babylonsister
(171,065 posts)PumpkinAle
(1,210 posts)for those of different religions, cultures and where ever there are differences.
I wonder if Michelle would be interested in being president.
Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)Skittles
(153,160 posts)if she did, she'd know that all you learn is they DO NOT CHANGE
Algernon Moncrieff
(5,790 posts)I served in my homeowners association with a President who is a born-again fundy and an Obama hater. We can still find common ground on issues like wanting to keep a strong Neighborhood Watch and getting the potholes filled.
Skittles
(153,160 posts)sounds like a typical repuke to me
Algernon Moncrieff
(5,790 posts)Do you know what a 4-wheel alignment runs? I want the potholes filled too.
Skittles
(153,160 posts)like, CLIMATE CHANGE.......or INEQUALITY
go on, give it a shot
I'm not giving them points because they want the LOCAL POTHOLES FIXED
Algernon Moncrieff
(5,790 posts)I believe what Bill Clinton said - all politics is local. Those local issues are where common ground might be found -- that's all I'm saying. Then, if that bridge has been built, you might be able to get in a word about climate change when the 80 mph winds drive baseball sized hail into a neighboring town.
Skittles
(153,160 posts)and this a GOOD REASON TO USE CAPS
Algernon Moncrieff
(5,790 posts)SORRY IF THE FACT THAT I'M IN AGREEMENT WITH MICHELLE OBAMA OFFENDS YOU.
Skittles
(153,160 posts)hlthe2b
(102,276 posts)Last edited Sun Jun 8, 2014, 08:27 AM - Edit history (1)
There's one heck of a lot of anger, racism, misogyny and overt hatred among many... not to mention bone-crushing ignorance.
Skittles
(153,160 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)If you personalize things and call on them to live up to their values couched in religion or the BoR, they will break, unless they have gone too far down the road of hate radio and television. or are looking to profit from something that a Democrat knows harms others.
Go on the basis of total equality under the law, equal treatment and ask questions. Show your zeal and love for those you represent, your passion and the reasons why you will keep on advocating. If you really care about something, it's never about you as an individual. It's about somthing greater than yourself, a universal value.
They will respect when you tak the time to explain, that you see no other solution to certain things other than what you are advocating. And ask if they have a solution. If theirs does not work, explain why with facts and an open heart. When they realize they have no plan, they are more likely to support yours as humane.
If they don't want to deal with making things work, make them think about how they are dismissing the needs of those they don't know, berating 'special rights' for vulnerable groups while ignoring others whose privilege to have more is not considered.
You don't have to be negative, just ask how far are they willing to go to defend rights for all, being sure to put them in the group being defended. Many people have an innate sense of justice and believe in fair play, unless tainted and that can be appealed with the stories of real people and the impact of not living up to ideals.
That's been my experience. At times I have gone into things and I can scarely believe that I have to live on the same planet with some people. But I do. The thought of murder may flit across their mind and yours. If you are not talking to a faux or ditto head, it's easier. But at times if they are not having a tantrum, compassion for what they are aggrieved about goes a long way and can even pull them out of the fog and get something done.
boston bean
(36,221 posts)You can learn how nuts they really are and to stay away.
HughBeaumont
(24,461 posts)Reaganite to Dunning-Krugertarian? Sorry. There's no common ground to be had with people who
* treat the notion of the "Free Market" like a religious fundamentalist treats their Bible; infallible and incapable of error or corruption.
* believe there's such a thing as a "skills gap".
* believe in Horatio Alger fantasia.
* believe in discredited (by their architects, no less) cockamamie crapola like Trickle Down economics.
* think "foreign policy" means "blast the Bejesus out of random sovereign men, women and children who never threatened us in any way, shape or form".
* thinks the planet is the white man's birthright.
* have economic beliefs almost entirely rooted in victim-blaming, victim-denying, red-baiting and false dilemmas.
* believes there's no such thing as "bad luck".
* thinks life isn't fair by nature, when it's mostly not fair by design. Oh, and uses that chestnut as their main "go-to".
* play dumb when you point out their racism, sexism and misogyny.
* wouldn't be satisfied unless the poor were eating bugs and living in mud huts.
* think homogenized 1960s sitcoms should be models for modern values.
* have absolutely no concept of the admission of error.
ananda
(28,860 posts)They get crazy.. overheated, hateful, bullyish, and attacky... and if
effectively challenged, they get all victimy and paranoid and cynical.