There are people who every day put out the same basic article: ”Republicans bad.” Oh, they toss invective at different Republicans about different things, but the message is the same shallow, tinny echo: ”Republicans bad.”
That Republicans are bad will get no argument from me, but that’s the point. The message ”Republicans bad” will land either in front of people who already agree, or who don’t care. Republicans won’t bother listening to your ”Republicans bad” screed. And who can blame them?
The point is that repeating ”Republicans bad” accomplishes nothing. It won’t change a single mind or a single vote. It won’t do a thing to make the world a better place. Might make you feel better. Might make you a few pennies from people reading you spout what they already believe. But no matter how many times you repeat ”Republicans bad,” it will never defeat Republicans.
Think About What You’re Doing
Think for a minute why you think Republicans are bad. I bet you anything that it’s because of what Republicans are against. I’ll let you fill in the blanks on that one, because we all know the people and things that Republicans are against. What do you think Republicans are for? I bet you that anything you or Republicans come up with in answer to that is easily rephrased into a statement of opposition to something. Go ahead, it’s an enlightening exercise.
Okay, now turn your attention to what you think and what you write. What are you for? Are you really for something, or are your statements easily rephrased into a statement of opposition to something? If you can’t find anything that you write that isn’t an anti-something polemic, then you accomplish nothing. Even you feeling better from venting your dislikes is a fleeting and empty feeling.
If you can find some things that you are for, and I sincerely hope you have some, then write positive things about what you are for. And if you are for something, you don’t need, not even one little bit, to say “Republicans bad.”
Catching Flies
It’s probably an old-fashioned saying, but when I was young I was taught that “you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” Quaint, but true. If you want to sell a product to someone, you will have more success extolling the positives of your product than being negative.
The only way to defeat Republicans is to offer a better alternative for people to support. If you think you have a better alternative, then offer it. No matter how witty you think are your put-downs of the Republicans, you are just piling more negativity onto the already toxic swamp of politics. All the “Republicans bad” jibes you can think up won’t change a single vote. You only makes things worse.
Yes, I know, you can also use fear and loathing to motivate people. That’s what you’re trying to do with your “Republicans bad” routine: defeat Republicans by cultivating fear and loathing of them. I get that.
And yes, I hear some of you going “but Republicans do it.” Congratulations, you are as bad as Republicans. Is that really something to be proud of? Republicans have already cornered the market on “[blank] are bad.” Joining them in that nonsense won’t defeat them.
Stand For Something or You Stand For Nothing
You will never ever, defeat Republicans as long as you are trying to defeat them. As long as you keep talking about Republicans, you are giving everyone the impression that you have nothing to offer except negativity, that you have no ideas except who you dislike. You are not providing an alternative to Republicans.
Do you want to make the world a better place or are you content with your pennies a day serving diatribe to the already converted? Again, are you for something? Anything? Are you an alternative to hate and division?
If you stand for something, then write about what you are for. Tell people why you are for it. Explain to people why what you support is a good thing. THAT will convince people to support you. “Republicans bad” never will.
Talk issues. Talk policies. Offer solutions.