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tishaLA

(14,706 posts)

134. I keep saying this: talk like normal people

Fri Mar 21, 2025, 10:05 PM

Mar 2025

I know what they're saying, but tossing around abstractions like "constitutional crisis" are way too opaque for most people. Forget that you've been in the House or Senate for decades and talk like someone you knew growing up. Leave the Washingtonese behind and hit people's sense of righteousness instead.

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Dumb it down, for fuck's sake. [View all] LuckyCharms Mar 2025 OP

Negative messaging and "You" statements are proven to be ineffectual in dialogue. Hellbound Hellhound Mar 2025 #1

Hard disagree except for your final sentence. LuckyCharms Mar 2025 #4

I've edited to add a bit, so you might want to do the same for clarity's sake. Hellbound Hellhound Mar 2025 #6

As they say... LuckyCharms Mar 2025 #8

We haven't been in a controlled debate about facts for decades. Hellbound Hellhound Mar 2025 #14

This is the heart of the matter MadameButterfly Mar 2025 #45

"I hope some smart people are working on this" You and me both, friend. Hellbound Hellhound Mar 2025 #52

What you do is important MadameButterfly Mar 2025 #111

We must not talk SMARTER...we must reach the gut & heart not the brain RunnoDeMille Mar 2025 #129

I don't mean TALK smarter MadameButterfly Mar 2025 #137

this is a spot on analysis- R0ckyRac00n Mar 2025 #47

Don't even worry about credit, friendo. We're on the same side, my thoughts are yours freely. n/t Hellbound Hellhound Mar 2025 #49

You aren't meeting JustAnotherGen Mar 2025 #150

Buh bye orangecrush Mar 2025 #26

I don't know why you're leaving, but bye, I guess? n/t Hellbound Hellhound Mar 2025 #28

Negative messaging never seems to hurt TSF. Nt Trueblue Texan Mar 2025 #76

It doesn't hurt him, but it plays to his base. It's not picking up new voters but radicalizing those who vote for him.nt Hellbound Hellhound Mar 2025 #81

And Trump deliberately uses 6th grade language because it works for him. Lonestarblue Mar 2025 #100

..."'That was a damn lie' Tiktok campaign Democrats put out. MorbidButterflyTat Mar 2025 #101

Yeah, ridiculed and mocked by everyone that saw the first ten seconds. Hellbound Hellhound Mar 2025 #115

If negative messaging doesn't work iyo Meowmee Mar 2025 #121

I actually like it when I hear words that I need to look up - but not too many. kerry-is-my-prez Mar 2025 #133

Unfortunately many people are either too lazy or too busy to look things up when politicians speak DeeDeeNY Mar 2025 #146

The Playing Field Is Not Level DallasNE Mar 2025 #155

Maybe you should look up "Kakistocracy" too? dem4decades Mar 2025 #2

Well said, LC. FalloutShelter Mar 2025 #3

Yes. Smaller words. Fewer words. "They are taking your jobs and money" to the point. Srkdqltr Mar 2025 #5

This is the influence from the left-wing media. everyonematters Mar 2025 #7

Is that a positive or negative comment? Paladin Mar 2025 #19

Your opinion changes on whether the message is delivered in a positive or negative manner? Hellbound Hellhound Mar 2025 #24

My opinion won't change. Paladin Mar 2025 #30

That's entirely valid and well stated. My compliments. n/t Hellbound Hellhound Mar 2025 #31

Thanks. (nt) Paladin Mar 2025 #33

That's a negative comment. everyonematters Mar 2025 #43

15,000 people came out in Tempe, Arizona for our Fighting Oligarchy tour. Emile Mar 2025 #9

They are not coming for the word oligarchy.. LuckyCharms Mar 2025 #11

IMO, I disagree, it's working just fine. Emile Mar 2025 #13

How about . BattleRow Mar 2025 #112

Yes. good! LuckyCharms Mar 2025 #114

Brilliant! JustAnotherGen Mar 2025 #151

Thank you. BattleRow Mar 2025 #154

re: crowd TnDem Mar 2025 #51

How about we educate while we're dumbing down shit for the dumbasses? mucholderthandirt Mar 2025 #10

In the situation wer are in now? LuckyCharms Mar 2025 #15

Well, if you look at voters that you are trying to win over as dumbasses, yagotme Mar 2025 #64

I think it's great that you learned two new words. They are good words to know. And if you listened to Nanjeanne Mar 2025 #12

I think pattyloutwo Mar 2025 #88

No I understood it completely. But thanks. Nanjeanne Mar 2025 #89

Words are symbols, not the thing. multigraincracker Mar 2025 #16

Dictator duhneece Mar 2025 #17

I see your point angrychair Mar 2025 #18

I agree 100% with this. LuckyCharms Mar 2025 #20

And to think, literacy rates and comprehension rates were actually worse 40 years ago. Elessar Zappa Mar 2025 #157

Absolutely right. TheRickles Mar 2025 #21

Great post. raccoon Mar 2025 #50

You NAILED it, Lucky! GiqueCee Mar 2025 #22

You know who excelled at that? tonekat Mar 2025 #39

And Frankel's supposed "crime"... GiqueCee Mar 2025 #96

Yes, I agree totally wendyb-NC Mar 2025 #23

Excellent OP malaise Mar 2025 #25

There was a brief and foolish push to use "kakistocracy" Orrex Mar 2025 #27

"The secret of the demagogue is to appear as dumb as his audience so people can believe themselves as smart as he is." sop Mar 2025 #29

I've noticed that people who are adept at communicating to a broad audience define the terms they use as they speak... Harker Mar 2025 #32

No need to do that... Think. Again. Mar 2025 #34

Looks like a new adjective will spring up to mean: An imbecile asshole with Narcissistic tendencies. chouchou Mar 2025 #35

That's a noun. Dark n Stormy Knight Mar 2025 #120

I'm guessing you like Tim Walz. dchill Mar 2025 #36

Yes, very much! LuckyCharms Mar 2025 #37

We are 30+ years behind the GOP in that regard Ursus Rex Mar 2025 #38

I think most educated people know what oligarchy and autocracy means. SidneyR Mar 2025 #40

Outside of DU, I'm not sure if I know anyone who would accurately define oligarchy or autocracy LuckyCharms Mar 2025 #42

In my mid-twenties, I briefly dated a guy who turned out... 3catwoman3 Mar 2025 #65

"ambivalent" - sounds like one of those new woke gender terms. Does It means bivalent in the morning? progree Mar 2025 #143

Love the wordplay. SidneyR Mar 2025 #162

#tyrant BoRaGard Mar 2025 #41

ByGawd 3auld6phart Mar 2025 #44

TLDR: Use pictures. Simplest. usonian Mar 2025 #46

re: "nazi like" TnDem Mar 2025 #48

Add "misogyny" to the kist AverageOldGuy Mar 2025 #53

I'm a little surprised that flapping ones hands as though playing an imaginary accordian while speaking Harker Mar 2025 #59

Pillars? ShazzieB Mar 2025 #110

You've got a good point Ohioboy Mar 2025 #54

Been having this convo leighbythesea2 Mar 2025 #55

Here's a word for you: "incurious" Orange Buffoon Mar 2025 #56

Wise words. louis-t Mar 2025 #57

I have always felt that way about those two words William769 Mar 2025 #58

Not sure they'll understand the word Mega crazylikafox Mar 2025 #62

I think they will. Mega Church's have been around a long time. William769 Mar 2025 #63

I have said this for years on DU and I get told that makes us no better than them. AZLD4Candidate Mar 2025 #60

You may very well be right. defacto7 Mar 2025 #61

Won't matter. The GOP and rich people have taught them over many decades to travelingthrulife Mar 2025 #66

No disrespect, but indusurb Mar 2025 #67

How about I throw some words at you that I know... LuckyCharms Mar 2025 #69

Go for it indusurb Mar 2025 #79

Nope. LuckyCharms Mar 2025 #80

A shame, indusurb Mar 2025 #82

Me too. I learned a long time ago to engage using one word responses with people who LuckyCharms Mar 2025 #83

And where have I insulted you? indusurb Mar 2025 #84

Oh. LuckyCharms Mar 2025 #85

LOL Kali Mar 2025 #136

As the apotheosis of use a sesquipedalian lexicon, I am preternaturally uncongenial... NNadir Mar 2025 #68

Thanks, I needed this. littlemissmartypants Mar 2025 #73

Your heathen, analphabetic use of the Oxford Comma reviles my personage you presumptuous Luddite. /s Hellbound Hellhound Mar 2025 #86

This message was self-deleted by its author NNadir Mar 2025 #91

This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. JanMichael Mar 2025 #138

Ingenious illustrative alliteration indeed. NNadir Mar 2025 #142

V introducing himself to Evie in V for Vendeta JanMichael Mar 2025 #148

And why not a song? usonian Mar 2025 #70

Cheats n Liars Hired by a Felon Prof. P.E. Name Mar 2025 #71

Amen! Joinfortmill Mar 2025 #72

I prefer... littlemissmartypants Mar 2025 #74

Here's my offering on the "simplicity" front pat_k Mar 2025 #75

Oligarchy... a funny. So beyond husband in knowledge and aware political. LizBeth Mar 2025 #77

I remember watching Leno's 'Jaywalking' Mr.Bee Mar 2025 #78

It's a simple question to grasp that for some is ungraspable Sympthsical Mar 2025 #87

Do what works on the retail sales floor. Elwood P Dowd Mar 2025 #90

The most uneducated person to whom i was close was my father. NNadir Mar 2025 #92

The word use t0 be robber barron. Don't know it still isn't used. boston bean Mar 2025 #93

May I recommend FrameLab and its newsletter here? Qutzupalotl Mar 2025 #94

We are so far down that oligarchy road, frankly its out of date as well JCMach1 Mar 2025 #95

LuckyCharms, here's a quote from David Hogg that was posted the other day on DU FakeNoose Mar 2025 #97

You make good points. Personally, I am in an existential crisis right now. I get it, but Bob RedHat did not Hekate Mar 2025 #98

Great post and I totally agree with the premise of the OP, thank you for bringing it up blue_jay Mar 2025 #141

I feel Oligarchy and Autocracy Mblaze Mar 2025 #99

Sorry, no. Basso8vb Mar 2025 #102

That's great. You know what is a simple word for me? LuckyCharms Mar 2025 #107

Both of those words are not only unfamiliar to a lot of people, Ocelot II Mar 2025 #103

I've found myself writing "Hey, man" and deleting it lately. It's all so '60s, man. betsuni Mar 2025 #139

All true... the vast majority of the population is sub average intelligence... WarGamer Mar 2025 #104

That's most of humanity, so adjust your expectations accordingly. Just people. Hekate Mar 2025 #122

I never had to use "Oligarchy" before. JohnnyRingo Mar 2025 #105

Good ideas senseandsensibility Mar 2025 #106

Great post!. Evolve Dammit Mar 2025 #108

Living paycheck to paycheck. BarbD Mar 2025 #109

Correct!!! KT2000 Mar 2025 #113

We should have "Say this, not that" threads meow2u3 Mar 2025 #116

See post #98 for links to examples Hekate Mar 2025 #126

Bravo BRAVO Ruby the Liberal Mar 2025 #117

And instead of saying "authoritarian," say "dictator!" Sogo Mar 2025 #118

I tend to agree Meowmee Mar 2025 #119

You can't "message" to people who have been brainwashed. valleyrogue Mar 2025 #123

When it comes to dumbing down, looks like the felon's anti-woke folks are a step ahead. ancianita Mar 2025 #124

A small group of rich people who get rich because they are stealing from the rest of us Oligarchy Clouds Passing Mar 2025 #125

Never be afraid of the truth, but always back it up with basics. AmericaUnderSiege Mar 2025 #127

Preach! DaBronx Mar 2025 #128

NO! I will tutt tutt, wag my fingers and head bob as I please! while yelling "mah climate" out a tesler posting on X Nimble_Idea Mar 2025 #130

If you've ever played any version of Civilization, you know what those two words are. Initech Mar 2025 #131

In 2006, I did not know what those words meant either, Bluethroughu Mar 2025 #132

I keep saying this: talk like normal people tishaLA Mar 2025 #134

I agree Figarosmom Mar 2025 #135

I actually tried it with republican acquaintances several times and Nope... Bread and Circuses Mar 2025 #140

Dumb Down was "not-quite-Petula-Clark's" greatest hit DFW Mar 2025 #144

Democrats can use a Frank Luntz-type advisor DeeDeeNY Mar 2025 #145

Frank is a mercenary. He works for the highest bidder DFW Mar 2025 #147

I'm in 100% Agreement JustAnotherGen Mar 2025 #149

YES! LSparkle Mar 2025 #152

I am 77 years old and in my entire life I don't think I have heard anyone but a Democratic politition doc03 Mar 2025 #153

I disagree with the premise. TheProle Mar 2025 #156

I find it disheartening when people project an air of superiority onto others LuckyCharms Mar 2025 #158

Knowing those words doesn't make me superior, TheProle Mar 2025 #159

Here's the thing. LuckyCharms Mar 2025 #160

Thanks, you too. TheProle Mar 2025 #161

I knew those words as a teenager Bonx Mar 2025 #163