Bernie Sanders Unveils A 12 Point Economic Plan To Break The Koch Oligarchs (cross-posted from GD)

[BrotherIvan]

9. Thank you, that means a lot

I might do it as an OP when I have a bit more time to participate. But hopefully it is something we can talk about as the group who wants reform. What can we do every day to work toward the change we want? I think that is educating people in our general circle. Some of us are part of active groups that are political or environmental or charity. Others can influence those they interact with in other online forums. Or family and friends. But what we can't assume is that anyone knows about this platform or Sanders. Because they don't. And the MSM won't tell them until it's time to take him down. So now is the perfect time to start talking.

The great part is, you don't have to lie. You only have to tell the truth. As you said, people want progressive policies, they just don't know it. You don't even have to talk about Bernie as a candidate to begin with if you don't want to. Just talk about the issues, because he is on the right side of them.

OFA had meet ups or teas to promote candidate Obama and his ideas. We could take the same approach but more informally, every day. And by coming back and sharing what worked and what didn't, we can improve and hone our skills. There have been many posts where someone said, "I won an argument with my rw cousin at Thanksgiving." I know liberals often do argue and share ideas, but maybe we can become even more effective than that. Putting the information or links to information in one place. How to get people engaged. How to make it feel natural and not like proselytizing. Though at this point, I'm not above that.

I would say, rule #1, do not engage tea partiers or right wingers. We don't need to convince them as they are too far gone and it takes away your energy. But, as you said, all those who are disaffected or who never vote or who no longer vote, those are the people you want. The uniformed, those who might just vote for the third way candidate backed by the party (I have lots of those). I believe the R candidate will be Jeb, in fact I will put money on it. That helps and hurts because he is so goddamned scary--like envisioning the apocalypse--that people will cower and support whomever they think can beat that anti-Christ. And I understand. But that is all part of the .01% plan.

I think the best approach is a salesman technique: what's in it for them. Find their most important issue, whether it be their children's education or future, or the environment, or wanting a better job. Talk to them in their language, about how Democratic/progressive policies will benefit them personally. Give them something to vote FOR.

Sanders has a very active webpage and newsletter (unlike my so-called liberal senator who is just a place holder) which I receive. He is always at the top of the DU greatest page with an amazing quote. It seems like he is always introducing a bill, trying to get something done. There is tons of information there, easy to disseminate. Also, talking about his record. Posting some of his Senate floor speeches, or appearances on the news. He is always educating, always truth-telling. If they fall in love with his ideas, they might overlook the word "socialist" or they might find that socialism is probably what we need. And people's grasp of history, most especially the labor movement is very bad, so there is lots of room there.

Like I said, I don't have all the answers. But it is time to start getting organized and moving. I hope that that is what this group is about. I came here because I was tired of arguing with the BOrG. I'm tired of just being outraged about all the issues or feeling betrayed. I would like to work. I would like to give what little time I have to do something. I think we should try.