Taking a break from DU.....

[Craig3410]

I'm really "politicked" out.

While we may complain on here that Republicans are evil scumbags supporting a murderer, we seem to forget that if we want former Republicans to come over and vote for our side, calling them "evil scumbags who support a murderer" and "delusional" is really not going to bring them over.

I believe that the way we can help distance people for Bush is to try to hit home with how he's affecting them. Example: "So, you vote for Republicans because you believe that they do more to help you keep your money and get rich? Did you know that the gap between the average income of the richest 10% and the poorest 10% has increased x% since Bush took office?" Did you also know that the percentage of Americans living in poverty has increased y% since Bush took office?"

Stuff like that. Calling a president that they support "a chimp" and "a drunk" really doesn't help win converts. Think about it; when Repubs call Hillary Clinton "a lesbian" and Bill Clinton "a horny bastard", does that make us think "Hmmm, they bring up good points"?

If you need me, I'll be on other boards; heck, just google my screenname to find me.

And yes, I'll be watching CNN for the indictments. ;-)

On edit: Wow; my 600th post; that's damn ironic. and added a little

[Captain Hilts]

1. I agree with a great deal you've said. Best of luck.

I basically read for the links.

[PunkPop]

2. You've made the same mistake as others before you.

DU isn't here to convert anybody. I come here because I know he's an incompetent, evil asshole. I want to commiserate with others of my ilk.

And Bill Clinton does seem kind of horny.

[Lex]

4. Yes, who would come here to try to "convert" anyone?

I come here to commiserate with my fellow liberals/progressives/Democrats.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. To win people over,

you don't ridicule them or their positions. Instead, you listen-find out what they want, what their ideals are. I have found the most effective way to bring Republicans over to the side of sanity is to show them how Bushco does NOT represent Republican ideals. And it is relatively easy.

1. Republicans traditionally are fiscal conservatives. Bush has run up the largest deficit in our history.

2. Republicans traditionally are against government intruding on individuals and their activities. Bush, through the Patriot Act, has empowered the FBI to spy on people's emails, to check out what you check out at the library, etc. etc.

3. Republicans traditionally are against foreign entanglements. Bush has, through the folly of the Iraq war, involved us in a quagmire with no clear exit strategy-and has NOT made us stronger or safer.

Those are just three points I have used to positive effect.

[Flirtus]

17. Thanks for this!

A nice succinct answer to my HUGH family, all (except me and a distant cousin) staying loyal to my (deceased) father's Repub. party because he was such an influence on us, and this end of the state. I keep saying "This is not my father's party", now you've spelled out what I mean, very nicely!

I'm going to use it! And I'm going to stay over here on the 'dark side' because I do think the human family would be better off living in peace and helping each other.

Yes, I get stressed out daily, I'm convinced this country is headed for something awful, perhaps just days away from being there, but if we tune out and become pollyannas, what good is that? My little piece of paradise is being able on a daily basis to comment confidently what is happening in this unbelievable administration to my neighbors and relatives who are living with their heads buried in their ... sand. My mom will never see it my way, that's the way moms and daughters are. But her sisters, her cousins, my sister, my daughter are beginning to talk to me and THINK, and THANK GOD for my co-workers and my church friends who already live and work and think toward cooperation.

[swimboy]

19. Good post, Flirtus. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[melody]

5. Those who don't know by now, never will

There is plentiful evidence for all but the most extreme supporters to be on to Bush.

There are lots of "normal, dull" news sites. DU is what it is, I think, because it does allow as much free expression as it does.

[electropop]

6. I enjoy all the ad hominem attacks...

But I do gather a whole lot of basic, useful material here on DU, which I can use in discussions with moderate friends. I keep the wild stuff for my amusement, and I keep links to GAO, or Bush-bashing from the right, for my friends. For the most part, they only hear reasonable, credible, and terribly destructive stuff, selected carefully from the vast toybox here at DU.

[kstewart33]

7. I agree with you

Sometimes we can get way out of line, and can sound as extreme as the freepers when we talk about the 'other' party and its members.

[uppityperson]

8. I can be polite to them when I talk with them, use DU to rant

I rant here about that evil little git and minions that have caused so much pain and suffering and how they are murderers and evil and etc etc etc so that when I talk with others in person I can be calm and reasoned. I know that repubs cruise this site, but I am not here to talk with them. That happens elsewhere and much more politely. Good luck.

[Mira]

9. I respect your points -I come here so I don't feel crazy and alone

- also - I need a place where I can say some of what I can't put on my bumper because I agree that if I profess how I really feel I don't win friends and influence people :)

I come here for information, links, comic relief, visuals, and above all because I like smart people.
:grouphug:

[Horse with no Name]

10. Being nice has gotten us pretty far with these evil fucks

We really should try it more.:sarcasm:
We definitely should modify our behavior so that more Republicans want to come over here. More :sarcasm:.
I have been on too many discussion boards that are "supposedly" bipartisan where liberals are ganged up on and torn to shreds by the ones that you "claim" we should be nice to.
Sorry. I enjoy being able to call a lying chimp a lying chimp and not be attacked.
The people that write on message boards such as this are politiholics--not your average "changed my mind and need a new party" kind of folks.
It is tougher and meaner and it is very partisan.
Good luck on your "other" boards.
:hi:

[WiseButAngrySara]

11. Thank you for expressing that SO beautifully HWNN...Ditto! .....n/t

[TallahasseeGrannie]

13. Too bad there isn't a little "back room'

here at DU where we could unwind and call ... um a chimp a chimp but then put on our nice shoes, comb our hair and make nice-nice with the swing voters.

[Pepper32]

14. Yeah, Republicans are always bending over backwards

to be nice to Dems, we should really focus on returning the favor. :sarcasm:

[Batgirl]

12. Why make a public declaration?

Are you afraid if you leave quietly no one will notice?

Or, are you putting everyone on notice that we have "one more chance" to straighten up by specifying the failures and shortcomings of forum members, with such profound insight that it might result in changes to the way members express themselves on the forum?

Maybe that's why these announcements remind me of a disgruntled 11-year-old threatening to run away unless their curfew is extended and mom stops buying the crap cereal.

[SammyWinstonJack]

21. OUCH!

:evilgrin: That will leave a mark. :yoiks:

[RandomKoolzip]

15. Actually, it DOES bring converts to indulge in name-calling.

The right increased their ranks in the 90's because they seemed like they were having fun calling Hillary Clinton every name in the book.

As long as it seems like we're enjoying ourselves while we slander the Chimp and his minions, I think we'll be fine.

[underpants]

18. Yeah, plus.... I *LIKE* horny lesbians

:bounce:

[MichaelHarris]

16. YEAH calling him a chimp is wrong

that's why I call him a dickhead, it just fits.

[applegrove]

20. I agree we should not start to act like adolescent meanies because

the Rove WH wants us to.

We have the support of the vast majority of Americans because are the adults. We take responsibility for the coutry, governance, etc.

Of course freepers would want us to attck the GOP - not for their actions but in a personal way - to give them "proof" of how they are being persecuted.

The nefarious always make themselves out to be the "real victim". As old as the hills.

[caty]

22. When I took economics

in college, I was told that in order for the economy run smoothly, 20% or the population should have as much money as the other 80%. Now, 1% has as much money as the other 99%. How can repubs justify this?

[Fox Mulder]

23. Last I checked, this website wasn't set-up to convert people.

From Discussion Forum Rules:

Who We Are: Democratic Underground is an online community for Democrats and other progressives. Members are expected to be generally supportive of progressive ideals, and to support Democratic candidates for political office. Democratic Underground is not affiliated with the Democratic Party, and comments posted here are not representative of the Democratic Party or its candidates.