"I don't want to register. I hate politics."

[HFishbine]

That's what a young lady told me today as I was going door-to-door to register voters. She was on her way out and agreed that I could come back later and talk to her about it, but I'm not sure what to say. (I did say, "You like freedom and living in a democracy, don't you?)

When I go back, what should I say to her to persuade her to register? If she hates politics, I don't think she's going to engage in a discussion of issues.


(Registered 4 new voters in 90 minutes, BTW. 2 Dems. 2 unaffiliated)

[alittlelark]

1. I wonder what her position on abortion is?

How about the draft? Those two issues alone should send 65+% of young women screaming into the polling booth.

[Dogmudgeon]

2. Operation Infinite Cynicism is a success!

--bkl

[JI7]

3. you have to listen to her on why she says that first

[faithnotgreed]

25. precisely. engage the "apolitical" about why they feel as they do

encourage them to tell you what does and doesnt matter to them in life. could be economy, war, health insurance or any number of things
but ask first and listen.

then just give her the facts because everyone is affected by "politics", they just dont always think about that. and we all know kerry wins hands down when youre talking facts.

good luck and thanks so much

[punpirate]

4. Well, if she registers...

... it's no guarantee that she'll vote, with that attitude. But, start by asking her what's important in her life. Make mental notes about how "politics" probably affects every one of her issues.

Sometimes it works, sometimes not.

Cheers.

[tanyev]

5. How young?

Does she want a US govt paid trip to Iran or Syria next year?

[Vincardog]

7. it is not always about issues. What world does she want to live in?

[AnIndependentTexan]

6. Just ask her to see Going UpRiver

[Cheswick2.0]

8. somebody is going to make the decisions that will have real effect on her

life. Why wouldn't she want to have a say in that. Other women sufferered and died for her right to vote. Unless she wants to go back to the days when women couldn't have the job they wanted, buy a house, own a credit card, get a sports scholarship or run for office, she has better wake up and use her rights. Use em or lose em.

[babylonsister]

9. I think stem cell research is a great talking point

because most of us know someone who would benefit from this research.

[KharmaTrain]

10. Challenge Her...Don't Intimidate

I've met many who, at first, say they don't like to talk politics or are uncomfortable about it...the game is to get them to open up and talk and let them feel your listening. Challenge her as to why she hates politics and get prepared to hear a story.

[sbj405]

11. 2 words - Supreme Court

This is the issue that no one really seems to key on. If * is re-elected, the country will be changed forever, when his appointees roll back years and years of legistlation. Roe v. Wade, ADA, etc.

I think when young people say they hate politics, they hate the mudslinging and media portrayal of it. They don't realize the number of things in their daily lives that rely on the political/legislative process. Bring it down to the issues that affect her - college tuition, jobs, health care.

[Gyre]

12. Ask her what she cares about

then take it from there. If she can't tell you then move along.

Gyre

[Droopy]

13. Sounds like it's going to be a hard sell

I guess you could tell her that if she doesn't vote then she isn't doing anything to help change politics.

But first I would ask her why she hates politics so much and then be prepared to listen. Some things I hear from people like her is that it all doesn't matter, politicians are all the same, and one vote really doesn't mean much. Be prepared for these types of responses.

Congratulations of getting those other people to register.

[liberalpragmatist]

14. Ignore Her

Well, okay. First ask her questions about if she has positions on some big issues: the war, economy/jobs, gay rights, abortion, the environment. If she does, then try to cajole her into registering.

But if she is truly apathetic than I think it's better to just her let be. I'd rather have people who are committed and informed going to the polls than people just going because they "have to" but really don't care - if you're going to vote, you should be interested in some of the substance of the debate, otherwise it's a pointless thing to do.

Besides, apolitical types are who give Bush his numbers - I'd guarantee you that if you did polls you'd find that democrats and liberals were (on the whole) far more informed than conservatives and republicans, with some exceptions (I do a number of smart conservatives).

[secular_warrior]

19. I agree that people who don't understand issues shouldn't vote

simply for the sake of voting. This encourages campaigns to focus on superficial/stylistic/personality qualities instead of real ideological differences; it forces a dumbing down of campaigns.

I tend to agree with Bill Maher when he says that too many people vote. Years ago less people voted and there were more serious, ideology, issue based elections. This is because the politicans were trying to win the votes of people who had some basic knowledge of issues, instead of the capricious swing voters of today.

[theHandpuppet]

15. Too many people...

... like this uninformed young woman think that "politics" is simply an election which rolls around every four years, when in fact politics touches virtually everything in our lives, locally to globally.

To engage one's political self is to be aware of and shape the world in which you wish to live -- whether the issues be that of education, housing, transportation, jobs, wages & benefits, health care, the environment, reproduction rights, civil rights, et al ad infinitum. Voting is the means by which the voice of the individual citizen doesn't get drowned out by that of corporate interests.

So she doesn't vote? That means if she lived in my town, she wouldn't have voted last year on issues such as whether to provide money for a new school to replace an old, overcrowded one; whether or not to add additional police to meet the needs of a rapidly-expanding population; whether or not to modify zoning laws that would disallow strip clubs next to public schools; or whether to allow the county to solicit funds to repair the roads -- among other local issues.

It really astounds me that there are people who actually believe politics is some abstract concept which doesn't touch every fabric of their lives.

Here are some links you might find helpful:

http://www.rockthevote.com/is_whyvote.php
http://www.newvotersproject.org/why_vote
http://www.ufcw.org/worker_political_agenda/top5reasons.cfm

[secular_warrior]

16. Explain to her it is a choice between two different ways of life

Explain to her, in basic terms, the difference between the Democrats/liberals and the Republicans/conservatives.

Many non-voters/apoliticals get overly confused with issues and campaign rhetoric, thinking the "politicians" aren't going to do anything they promise anyway. All of the "politicans" sound the same to them. Tell her politicians do make many promises and there is a lot of bullshit in politics, BUT underneath all of that is a struggle between two different worldviews. Young people tend to be very liberal - especially on social issues.

I'm sure she'll see the importance once it's explained in terms of things that affect her way of life, instead of hearing it in terms of the political campaign noise/policy wonk jargon which tends to blur the differences and make everything sound like the same bullshit.

edit to add: Conservatives are excellent at selling a lifestyle,a cohesive worldview -- which appeals to emotions and helps give apolitical voters a basic idea of conservative ideology, whereas liberals tend to pitch a scattered list of dry sounding policies trying to appeal to intellect.

[MockSwede]

17. Body Count = Four

Thanks for the work - four is good. Have someone follow-up to see that they are encouraged to actually vote, too.

Ask her if she'd like something changed/fixed locally with city/town government. Something that affects her - something she's passionate/angry/fed-up about.

Tell her that to get that corrected/changed - she'll have to tell someone. Things don't get fixed unless someone tells government to fix it. Voting is a form of speaking up on various subject all of us citizens have to make decisions about.

I tell folks, if they vote and it doesn't get fixed - keep bitching and complaining (and voting) until it gets done. IF they do NOT vote, so did NOT register their complaint with government, I tell them to just shit up and stop belly-aching.

A vote = bitching rights!

Speak up; be heard! VOTE!

[powergirl]

18. TO GIVE UP ON POLITICS IS TO GIVE UP ON DEMOCRACY

People who do not participate in the democratic process b/c of a supposed "dislike of politics" contribute to a -holes like Bush taking over the country. Like it or not, this is how our democracy works and I will not protest by not voting and risk that turd being in office again.

[yowzayowzayowza]

20. You must communicate with her inner monkey.

... I hate politics."

"I'm sure you hate to wipe your behind too, but you do it WELL less your world become rank."

;)

[Robert Oak]

21. find out more about what she means

Does she not like politics or more

she doesn't like argument, confrontation and idiots pushing their
thoughts down her throat?

If that is it, you can tell her she can go online, in privacy and just
vote, privately and not get into any arguments..

point to some sites where she can just read what the issues and plans are and where to vote....

whatever you do don't be confrontational and push your ideas down her throat.

[LiberalFighter]

22. Is she willing to let others decide what will happen in her daily life?

What happens at the federal level affects her at the local level.
Transportation
Schools
Environment
Taxes
Recreation
Wages
Business decisions
Protection


Elected officials KNOW who is registered to vote and whether they are regular voters. If someone is not registered to vote their opinion is going to have lesser weight than someone who votes on a regular basis.

[George W. Dunce]

23. Tell her "great thats just what they like to hear"

Too many people feel this way and it is by design.The more people that feel the way you do the better it is for them.We have the numbers if we can get EVERYONE involved. Your vote is just as important as George Bush's or anyone else's for that matter.

[wildeyed]

24. I always start with, 'If you don't vote, you can't complain."

Then go on to, "Well I complain ALLOT, but I vote allot." Sometimes gets a laugh, breaks the ice a little. Then I close with, "It's going to be the closest election in history, every vote counts. Our side is depending on you this year to show up. We NEED your vote!" Often do that last part with tears in my eyes, 'cause I really believe it. Scares people a little, but they usually will register after I express that kind of emotion.

Many people who don't vote feel intimidated by the process, and to hide there fear, pretend to be apathetic. They see a bunch of guys in suits spouting double-speak and just tune out. Sometimes they just need someone who cares enough to walk them through the process, show them the truth in the system and get them a little pumped up.

[progressivebydesign]

26. If she's under 35, ask her if she'd ever had the desire to travel..

.. to say the MIDDLE EAST? And if she looks good in olive drab khakis. Ask her if she had any plans for say.. the next 4 years, anything that might be missed if she was drafted.