I wish all non-Republicans would drop this "out of the mainstream" bullshit.

[Atticus]

This is one of those mindless memes that started with the single-minded corporate whores on the other side of the aisle that has, unfortunately, been picked up by some of the less than thoughtful on our side.

What the hell does it say about an opinion to simply say "most people disagree"?

Really---stop and think about it.

How many absolutely fantastic ideas, now accepted as gospel, were once minority views? Abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, the weekend, overtime pay, Social Security, Medicare---we all know I could go on and on, but I've made my point, I hope.

This is a simply shitty way to divert the conversation from a meaningful discussion of the underlying issue. Please, point out that it is essentially meaningless and follow up with "Do you have an actual opinion?"

[TheKentuckian]

1. It is especially lame in light of the obvious extremism of the folks in question.

[Newest Reality]

2. That's the thing ...

If we don't stop and pay more attention to what is largely an unconscious process, the words pass can pass right by our attention without critical analysis.

Universal quantifiers are a great example and I think that some of us may use them too much when we make a point.

"Everyone knows that!" Question: "Everyone?"

"You always treat me that way." Question: "Always? What way?"

"Nobody in his right mind would do that"

So, even terms like "some people", "most people" are generalizations that tend to slip right by. It is a good idea to practice listening for them, (and avoiding using them for clarity) as they are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the spells of word magic. The time you want to use them is to be persuasive or to spin something.

We communicate rather naturally using generalizations, deletions and distortions. In fact, we actually have to sometimes to sound natural in conversation, yet, those three items point to missing information that one can train one's self to notice where some information gathering is due. Try it.

[Occam Bandage]

3. It's entirely reasonable when discussing what is and is not politically feasible.

Politics is the art of the possible.