What's the best way to convince people to your side?

Question

Over the years I have accumulated a vast array of facts on all types of political issues and saved them on my computer for safe keeping. It makes sense to me, considering all the work I'd have to do debunk a con lie & then have another con repeat the same lie the next day. Let me add these facts are as third party as you can get. If I say the klan is a christian conservative organization I'll quote an actual klan website stating they are for christian con values.

On the other hand, I think offending people & completely shattering their make believe world might turn them off. When a con lies about something, I love to prove them wrong and then rub it in their faces.

But am I doing more harm then good?

For example, a clueless con will say the klan is a liberal organization because today's Democratic Party is the more liberal party (and has its base in the yankee northeast) and the klan was started by southern (conservative) Democrats. Therefore they assume the klan is liberal.

So then I come back with quotes straight from the klan on how you must be a christian to join the klan and how the klan is always out there marching for christian conservative values.

My attack is on the clueless con who made the mistake of calling the klan liberal. But by doing this, I offend other christian conservatives and maybe even fence riders to the other side.

BY THE WAY, CHECK OUT MY OTHER QUESTIONS IN MY PROFILE.

To the second poster, when I first got on the yahoo message boards, I considered myself a moderate Democrat. After doing research on all the different arguments I have become a total liberal. I think there alot of people out there who still have not made up their mind , so I'm trying to do my small part to bring them into the Democratic Party.

LeAnne,

If a conservative says the klan is a liberal organization because it was started by southern (conservative) Democrats of the past, I think libs stand to lose by not correcting the person. Moderates just coming in to politics will think well the klan is liberal. That is one reason not to be a liberal.

So that's why I go to trouble to debunk the lie and state the truth: they are right-wing extremists who are self described christian conservatives. They are not on the left.

Answer 1

This certainly isn't the place. This is an entertaining diversion, nothing more.

Answer 2

I am not a liberal. I more of a pragmatic conservative. I find, however, that a lot of liberals share quite a bit of common ground with what I believe. As such, I think liberals need a strong voice, so I will give you a bit of advice about expressing your opinion.
First of all, you can never convince a person to change their mind about any position on which they have already formulated an opinion.
Secondly, you should never attack nor belittle the conclusions or opinions of a person who views a subject opposite of your opinion. There isn't any right or wrong in politics. There is only opinion, and everyone's opinion is valid.
It's better to state your position in the first person. In other words statements like "I can't accept that as true," or "I feel otherwise because..." are much more effective than using a bunch of "You" statements.
Your political debate is not aimed at people who have already made their mind up about an issue. Your statements should be designed to give other people valid information as to why their opinion should mirror your own. If you offer your opposition some validity for their position but give reason to conclude otherwise, you more effectively get the undecided people to agree with your stance.
It's the undecided that political debate is aimed at, not the decided.

Answer 3

I suppose, though we all do it, the best way is not to be offensive--unless the other side slings the mud first. Even then, however, restraint and cool-headedness are better, because they show you have control and understand the facts.

I believe Oscar Wilde said something like this once: 'Always forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them so much.' This can be applied to how you try to convince others about your views. While they froth at the mouth and pull an O'Rielly on you, trying to shout you down, remain calm. You may not convince them, but you'll look better than them--and p*** them off!

Answer 4

"What's the best way to convince people to your side?"

Let me try with some simple facts:

Your example of the KKK is a poor substitute for the reality.

Trying to categorize them as conservatives or liberals is pretty lame - they're hate filled, demented bigots, and that's all.

They can maintain and spew forth all the rhetoric about Christianity, liberalism or conservatism they wish - you just can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear - and it doesn't change their agenda of white supremacy, hatred and destruction of everything morally right and contrary to any thinking, decent human beings' conception of right and wrong.

The Golden Rule really doesn't apply to their rule book.

That was simple, eh?

Answer 5

I think you should say what you believe and defend it in argument, and consider what the other guy says if it makes any sense.

If youre primarily concerned just with persuasion for its own sake, well probably the best way to do that is tell people the lies they already want to believe.

Answer 6

the first thing I think you have to realize is that you won't convince very many people of anything here. Most people have pre-conceived ideas and they won't be influenced no matter how many statistical facts you provide them. You actually nailed the KKK thing pretty well, yet one conservative made this comment,: "you use misinformation, cherry picked stats and unwillingness to be rational..." Given the Iraq war with all of it's miss-information, cherry picking of stats, and unwillingness to use rational. How IRONIC was that??? See what I mean about using facts? It doesn't work here.

Answer 7

You sir are a moron! The klan is a backwoods hillbilly organization. They can call them selves conservative Christians, heck they can call them selves martians if they want. We could probably make the argument that most nambla members are liberal............ So your a child molester and I'm a racist. Your question is stupid. is there a point your trying to make?

Answer 8

The best way is to state your case calmly and rationally and get the other person to think it was his/her own idea that they came around to your way of thinking. Maybe not the instant gratification of "rubbing their nose in it", but long term by far the more effective method.

Answer 9

You can't convince anybody if they already have their mind set.

For example, La Raza supporters will always believe that it is a good group, even when you give them evidence that it is a racist bunch of people that are destroying America.

Answer 10

Not to use sly insults like you have here.


I guess you took a poll to see what group they belong in?