Weekly Ezine Issue #15 Left Limit, Right Limit: An Approach to Understanding Political Issues Part II

1. In last week’s message I introduced the concept of “Left Limit, Right Limit” as a means of helping Independent voters better judge who they should vote for. If you missed Part I, then you can go to this link. http://thecenterstrikesback.com/2008/05/14/larry-bradleys-weekly-ezine-14.aspx

Let’s summarize where I left off. Those of you who work in the corporate or governmental road are very familiar with the saying that, “What goes around, comes around.” That means that when you have a change in top leadership, you are also likely to see a significant change in policy. I had an Uncle once who said big business worked on a five year cycle. In year one, you get a new boss in who says, “What are we doing making all these routine decisions? We should delegate that authority down to a lower level.” Five years later you will have a new boss who will say, “Look at all those poor decisions being made at a lower level! Let’s get those decisions back up here to our level so we can control things.” (And isn’t there a parallel in that the real dissatisfaction with a President seems to appear 5 years into their tenure, or the first year of their second term?)

As a voter, that same cycle can apply like this. If whatever is going on now disgusts you, then you get in a “throw the rascals out” kind of mood. But then that little alarm bell goes off in your head. The bell that seems to be saying, “I’ve seen this movie before and I don’t like how it turns out.” The thought occurs to you that you may be exchanging one form of misery for another form of misery. Maybe, you think to yourself, I should just keep the misery I know instead of taking a chance on the misery I don’t know.

Last time, I took input on the fear people have if Republicans and John McCain continue in power in the White House. This week, I’m going to show you some input I have on the fear people have if Democrats take over the White House.

Here are some fears Republicans have, with a tip of the hat to Steve for providing most of them.

Raise Taxes too much too soon
Recognize legitimacy of terrorist groups by dialoging / negotiating with them
React to IRAQ / IRAN situation with emotion, rather than have a long term Middle East Strategy
Weaken military research and development
Not enforce our immigration policies / develop and implement a strategy to address illegal immigrants
Not address Social Security
Not adequately address Health Care crisis:  Move toward national / social healthcare
Appoint liberal judges
Embrace the agenda of homosexual community, pro-abortionists, pro euthanasia activists
Embrace “Green” policies at the expense of progress or health of the American people
Fail to adequately deter terrorist activity by active surveillance.
This is a great list for discussion. Note three things about it. First, how easy is it for you as a Democrat to frame the opposite point of view for each item in this week’s list? Pretty easy, right? And wasn’t the same thing true for you as a Republican looking at last week’s list?

Second, how hard would it have been for you as a Democrat to express the Republican point of view or vice versa? Probably pretty hard, right? One thing I learned from co-authoring the Army’s regulation on equipment modification was the necessity for understanding the other party’s point of view. One of the things that keeping us polarized is not understanding the other point of view.

Third, doesn’t it illuminate an opportunity? One of the keys to sales is that if you know you’re going to get an objection, then bring it up on your own and respond to it on your terms. Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, using Part I and II you now have a great list to work from for appealing to Independent, undecided voters.

In Part III next week, I’m going to show you what the two parties say about one another based on their fund raising material. Then, in Part IV, I’ll use this material to propose some left limits for the Democrats and some right limits for the Republicans.

Have a great Memorial Day.

See you next week.

Regards,

Larry