...So ... Don't Argue Their Point...

[emanymton]

In his essay,

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/BobcatJH/44

BobcatJH discusses how "... Republicans often steer any debate to the fringe, ...". This is one of those profound statements of the obvious. Don't go there with them. It is like wrestling with a pig, everyone gets dirty and the pig loves it. Whenever one does something on other's terms one will always be dealing from a position of weakness, one will walk away feeling like one lost.

May I make a suggestion? When you take on GOP talking points, use _your_ terms and focus your arguements. Worry not that "... Republicans are doing what they do best." Do what _you_ do best.

[cassiepriam]

1. Of course it is all a distraction from the real issues.

They get the whole country fighting and arguing about non issues.
While the Repugs are robbing the world blind.

And Americans have fallen for the bubba bait, hook, line, and sinker.

[greekspeak]

2. Just don't argue with these people at all...it will get you nowhere

They are stubborn, willfully ignorant, xenophobic, homophobic people whose own leaders push their buttons for their own gains. These leaders want to direct cash and power to a handful of people, instituting strict social control and social boundaries. Things like casualties of war and hurricanes are mere nuscences, horseflies and mosquitos they can do little about and to which they care to devote but little time emotionally and financially. They manufacture wedge issues--social issues that keep high the froth level of their ignorant, hatemongering base.

The philosophy works out something like this. I am using oil companies but it could be any other large, rich industrial giant:

1) Oil companies want oil and call their tools in Washington, demanding oil or else
2) Tools create an excuse to invade a county.
3) Oil companies get their record profits, while tools' other bosses bet no-bid contracts to fix messes.
4) People back home wonder what is going on, and the base grumbles a bit
5) Tools launch campaign and
a) blame the other party; b) harp on GOD GUNS AND GAYS, ENGLISH NATIONAL ANTHEMS or what ever; c) insist that any questioning of the plan is treason, or evil or whatever
6) Companies get rich; tools keep power and probably skim a little off the top; base no longer cares about what the tools and the corporation(s) are doing; and the grasp on power tightens

How can you argue against this? There is nothing to argue against. Paper dragons and chimeras, unicorns and Nessies.

[madame defarge]

3. Another suggestion...

Be like Colbert. Agree with them, smile, help them prove their point with the outrageousness of it...of course, with the sarcasm that only we can muster up.

"I do think the president is doing a heckofajob. I love that he's so concerned about our national anthem being sung in English and not Spanish. That's infinitely more important that any other issue we face in our country -- more important than health care, rising gas costs, dying soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan, and now probably Iran..."

[Junkdrawer]

4. ..but...but..Colbert isn't funny..I didn't hear The Room laugh....n/t

[displacedtexan]

5. And what do they do when we ignore their bait?

They scream, "Democrats have no plan! They won't even debate the issue!"

It's way past time that our elected Dems raised a ruckus... at home
and on the hill. Solidarity, y'all. Sten Hoyer is our House whip,
and Dick Durbin is the senate whip. Durbin is trying, but he's still
too polite imho. Hoyer disappoints me constantly. He's always ready to
agree to and/or concede Republican talking points.

I want bulldogs, damn it.

[emanymton]

6. ...Keep Slamming _YOUR_ Points!

Discuss the issues using your terms and ideas. Don't raise to their trying to switch the issue.

As example,

RW talking point: gun licenses/registration = government taking away guns.
Gun licenses/registration are about public safety (not so sexy but 'on the money.')

RW talking point: "Democrats have no plan! They won't even debate the issue!"
'Bill of Rights,' 'Constitution' and 'Paper Ballots for elections' are DemocraTIC plans and good issues to debate.

RW talking point: Abortion = murder
Individual right are the right of the individual without government intrusion.

Do not use _their_ terms to talk _your_ issues.

[displacedtexan]

7. I like your attitude!

You should be a Dem party whip!

[emanymton]

9. Can't Be. I'm Honest. When I Try To Lie, I Luse Control and Twitch.

[displacedtexan]

10. But that's a good thing for a party whip.

Whipping (I know "Whipping in" is a fox hunting term) unruly Dems
into shape calls for a brutally honest, and righteously angry Dem.

You would be perfect.

[emanymton]

11. ;-)

[Arkansas Granny]

8. This is spot on. I have noticed so many times that Republicans

will completely ignore the question as it was asked and just start repeating the talking points, whether they apply to the subject being discussed or not.