These broad, sweeping exhortations may be satisfying in some way, and may even be true. The truth is, in terms of getting anything of substance accomplished they go nowhere. They lead directly to resignation and apathy.
Stick to tangible issues, the stuff that puts people in a bad mood every day! This usually means bread-and-butter, life-and-death issues. These are things which because of rotten public policy cause growling stomachs, empty savings accounts, astronomical credit card debt, sickness and the difficulties of getting medical treatment, disappointment, despair, heartache, disillusion. A battered citizen is not impacted by philosophical differences or observations about the human condition. They are feeling pain. Neglect. Abuse.
Third, and perhaps most important: DO NOT TALK PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS -- unless of course the person insists on it. Yes, the presidential race is exciting, dramatic, baffling, entertaining, frustrating, infuriating. But just leave it alone for now. Even if you agree with the person you're talking to, it is both a distraction and a dead end.
And if you don't agree, the potential for constructive engagement will be totally destroyed.
We need to talk about problems and solutions, not add to the deafening din of discord and division. At the end of the day . . .
We all face the same opponents and challenges.
We all have identical, similar, or related problems. If those problems are not solved, then we will all -- with the exception of the very rich and powerful who will move someplace else or start a colony on the moon -- suffer. Individually and collectively we will pay a heavy price.
So what do you talk about?
Remember the percentages from the previous article:
75% of Americans want a federal minimum wage of $12.50 per hour.
63% of Americans want a federal minimum wage of $15.00 per hour.
75% of voters want fair trade agreements protecting jobs, workers, and the environment.
76% of voters want a cut back on military spending.
76% of voters want the U.S. completely out of Afghanistan.
79% of voters want no reductions in Social Security, 70% support expanding it.
79% of voters want no reductions in Medicare.
80% of voters oppose the "Citizens United" U.S. Supreme Court decision.
68% of voters think taxes on the wealthy should be increased.
71% of voters support massive infrastructure renewal.
74% of American voters are for ending oil industry subsidies.
93% of voters want GMO labeling on their food.
Look at the level of agreement we share on many issues.
Frankly, we have a lot to talk about and if those percentages are correct, there are very good odds that whoever you are talking to is already negatively impacted by our elected officials not addressing at least one, but more probably several of the items listed above.
It will all come to the surface.
Like I said, there is no script. But just as examples, here are some openers:
"My kid is still living with me. He's working at Walmart and can't make ends meet. With the crash back in 2008, we can barely make ends meet."
"My mom and dad might have to move in with me. They've been working hard all their lives but Social Security just isn't enough."
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