The New Ten Commandments for Talking about Politics
Modern conservatives need a new Political Ten Commandments. At the top of this list needs to be "having fun is more important than making a point," thus saith Rob Long. I know, I know, it sounds like a complete contradiction. We are the party of sound logical reasoning, of fiscal rationality and of objective morality. Yet, I am constantly left asking myself, and others, "how are those arguments working out for you?"
The answer most of the time, is "not so well." I'm in my mid-twenties, and stuck in liberal hell, i.e. an urban university. I'm a socially-conservative reformed Christian with small town values, but I've never changed anyone's mind about politics with a Norman Rockwell print and a John Calvin Bible study. You know what makes kids my age stop slack-jawed, dead in their tracks.....an episode of SouthPark portraying Al Gore as a lonely ex-politico, who is slightly touched in the head, desperately trying to get people to pay attention to him by selling them a crisis.
In my opinion, conservatives need to face facts, we'll never change the deep convictions of those we disagree with unless we win over their common sense first. Am I wrong? Who here was won over to conservatism on the basis of first principles? Alternatively, how many simply noticed that the views held by conservatives just pegged life correctly?
Currently liberal social mores dominate entertainment and for the moment, we're stuck on that front. Does that mean we should beat them at their own game? I say no, because I don't think they're playing a primarily political game, just trying to be funny. This is a talent they excel at because they're not hung up on what message they're sending. If there is a plea I can make to conservatives, it's simply this, express yourself well in whatever field you are in, and the message will get through.
The gist is this: Do we as conservatives, get so caught up in making a point that we start to suck at effectively communicating with people? You may not like all the toilet humor in SouthPark, but shouldn't we at least recognize that this silly little show preps more young minds for the truths of conservatism than 90% of their college education? Are we just taking ourselves too seriously?
I know I said a new Ten Commandments and only delivered one. That means I'm headed back up the mountain. You can submit your own suggestions for the other nine commandments by handwriting them on tiny pieces of paper and slipped into the wailing wall, inaudibly uttering them in prayer and/or meditation, pronouncing them verbally to your local oracle or just posting them directly in the comments section below.
For those of you who haven't found your way over to member R.J. Moeller's Podcast, you ought to give it a listen. It's inspiring.
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Jun '10
Re: The New Ten Commandments for Talking about Politics
Beasley Every Klavan on the Culture makes me laugh out loud. But it's comedy for conservatives as are all your examples. · Oct 25 at 12:13pm
Edited on Oct 25 at 12:13 pm
This, too, is cyclic. I know it doesn't seem that way, but it is.
Apr '11
Re: The New Ten Commandments for Talking about Politics
Along this line of thought, I would add: Don't ever ask if we as a nation can afford whatever ridiculous and mind-bogglingly expensive program being discussed. The obvious rejoinder is always: 'We can't not afford it!' followed shortly by 'We're going to be paying for it anyway!'
The key example being socialized medicine.
Also, don't ever ask what the benchmark for success of the program is or when it will end. The other end of the political spectrum doesn't want to be hemmed in by practicality.
iWc: If you cannot agree on key presuppositions, there is no point even having a conversation. For example, someone who believes "the government can do anything private industry does, and do it better" is not even worth getting past "hello".
And yes, I know many people like this.
I often try the historical arguments: Look! It was tried! Many Times! And it Failed! It NEVER worked!
And these arguments work on me. But a proper liberal does not care; for them, the attempt is more important than the outcome. · Oct 25 at 9:04am
Dec '10
Re: The New Ten Commandments for Talking about Politics
Cas: you are quite right, I did assume too much. It may not be much better, but I'll try theorizing instead.
My theory is that of the 40% of the population that doesn't self identify as either conservative or liberal, a majority are not independent, but rather apolitical. I also speculate that aside from single issues of interest they will remain so, more or less, and will never have a political philosophy beyond pangs of populism. It is this group that I think conservatives could do a better job of courting.
I don't believe those apoliticals will seek or find any deeper understanding, but I believe it is possible to replace some of their false sentiments with true sentiments through more palatable, less direct mediums like sitcoms or novels. It is likely that these kinds of mediums mixed with loyalty and familiarity are the sources of the belief they hold now. Everyone holds beliefs, and a lack of justification does not stop them from acting upon them, so why not influence those belief even if there is no way to fundamentally transform the underpinnings?
Dec '10
Re: The New Ten Commandments for Talking about Politics
Diane Ellis, Ed.
Foxman: "I'm headed back up the mountain"
Are you bringing your son?
(Run like hell kid) · Oct 25 at 8:39am
Different Jewish patriarch :) · Oct 25 at 9:43am
oops
Edited on Oct 25, 2011 at 1:22pmOct '10
Re: The New Ten Commandments for Talking about Politics
A suggestion for the list: Thou shalt make light of liberalism.
The best example of this is Reagan, and Thatcher. Humor is an effective weapon. It's important that the humor isn't negative or vile, too, but light and cheerful.
Nov '10
Re: The New Ten Commandments for Talking about Politics
Are you somehow suggesting that ManBearPig isn't real? Are you super-sereal?
Aug '11
Re: The New Ten Commandments for Talking about Politics
2. Use colorful metaphors to make your point.
3. Kill them with a smile. Be patient and respectful of those who are not yet enlightened
4. Get to the point quickly. Sure, sometimes history is complicated, but it all starts to seem irrelevant to those with a TV Guide attention span
5. Treat fellow Republicans as you would want to be treated
6. Stay on topic; don’t take on more than one left wing errant aphorism at a time
7. Straw men belong in OZ. Don’t use them.
8. Know your sources. Be ready to cite them.
9. Keep it practical; beware of sweeping political statements
10. Shrug off the irrational criticism and return to commandment 1
Apr '11
Re: The New Ten Commandments for Talking about Politics
I'm sorry to realize I've come to the conclusion that there is no hope for improving the ability to persuade. Politics is War and the only important thing is winning elections, by any means necessary. Democrats fight dirty and that dirty fire must be fought with demagogic fire of our own. No Apologies. Make the case for American greatness. National elections are won by emotional appeals, not arguments or policy proposals. Republicans campaign too honestly. What is called for is someone comfortable with "That's what I said to get elected, and this is what I doing now that I'm in power." The most dangerous thinking is "I'd almost rather have four more years of Obama than a Romney who is not a true conservative." The 'independent' voters who decide elections make their choices on the slimmest of premises. Hope and change. The Republican nominee needs to come up with a slogan that turns that around, like Tim Robbins' character Bob Roberts did with his theme song "The Times They Are a-Changin' BACK"!
The vast majority of voters are neither liberal nor conservative --- you can promise them anything; just keep it simple.
Edited on Oct 25, 2011 at 8:45pmDec '10
Re: The New Ten Commandments for Talking about Politics
ManBearPig? Who could deny that. I'm simply taking a cheap swipe a the global warming craze. And I'm super-duper-sereal.
Oct '10
Re: The New Ten Commandments for Talking about Politics
2) You need to be pop culture savvy (movies, tv, sports, video games) so you can reach out to the other side (especially young adults/libs) and find common ground first...
Edited on Oct 26, 2011 at 1:15amAug '10
Re: The New Ten Commandments for Talking about Politics
Songwriter
I would add P. J. O'Rourke to the list. And though Dennis Miller is best-known for what he says, he is definitely a writer. · Oct 25 at 10:58am
This list brings a smile to my face. Oh, how I love these writers. I second Gen. Ball's suggestion that Iowahawk (aka David Burge) belongs there, as well. Each of these folks is brilliant, thought-provoking, and hilarious. Burge may be a humorist, but take a look at his Iowahawk 2012 "platform" via Twitter and you'll see measures that most of us would dearly love to see the Republican candidates embrace.
What's that? You don't follow @iowahawkblog on Twitter?! You are depriving yourself of at least a dozen chuckles a day!
To the "suits" responsible for the Ricochet Podcast: Please, oh please, book Mr. Burge as a guest.