I'm a very #leftist kinda lawyer in a very rightist kinda region.
In meeting with clients over the years, I note that they often like to talk about politics. I'm not entirely sure why. Some, perhaps do so to "feel out" whether I'm their type of attorney. Some maybe think lawyers have some deeper political insight due to their connection to the law. I don't know. I just know it happens with great regularity.
And being a leftist in an extremely rightist world, you can imagine my discomfort.
Fortunately, I've found a strategy that seems to allow me to bond with clients no matter how rightwhackadoodle they seem. Are you ready for it?
I talk to them about #billionaires. I tell them I think the problem in this country comes from billionaires shipping our industrial base to slave labor countries so they could dodge taxes.
I talk about how there is no difference between democrats and republicans because, at the end of the day, they are all #IvyLeague back-slapping buddies.
I ALWAYS find common ground with my clients using this approach.
Now, please note, I'm a small town rural lawyer. My demographic is small people, not corporations and billionaires.
And the kicker, is never have to reveal my political "party" or inclination. The subject never goes there. I think most people are so surprised to hear the words coming out of my mouth, the natural inclination is to empathize. To begin talking about how they are impacted by the two tier class system.
Just some professional observations for anyone that can use them. Tactics for breaking the elite #duopoly one conversation at a time.
@LeftistLawyer I think that is a great social engineering win. You are getting them to think without making them angry or feel like you are making fun of them or looking down at them. Well done. I have a hard time dealing with Orange Hued folks but I am an attorney in a great big blue City and most of my clients can hear my politics (edited for the specific audience as needed) and mostly agree. I know in advance which ones I should not go there with.
@LeftistLawyer This is workable wrt class solidarity, but how do you get from there to making these people question their racism or their homophobia etcetera?
@mybarkingdogs@LeftistLawyer I’m not all that educated, but a “lefty” who has lived most of my life in rural “informationally challenged” communities. While I am no longer a christian I am familiar with the source material and will talk to people about what the radical Jesus said. It is difficult to get past decades of media and pulpit propaganda and I try to give the benefit of the doubt. YMMV.
@LeftistLawyer Everyone reading this thread can do this. I'm not a lawyer, but I am a small business owner, and I do much the same thing. If they think you are one of them, (or at least don't suspect you of being not one of them) it's much easier to evoke reflection. Facts and logic only provoke the Backfire Effect in them, so if we want to get them to a more rational place, we need to adjust our strategies.
@LeftistLawyer There is a difference between a Leftist brain and a Rightest brain. They see things differently and respond to things differently. But some people are trying to use every trick they can think of to make that divide wider and wider. It's a complicated issue, and there is much to say, but my feeling is that unless we can start to change some minds, their side will keep growing and ours will keep shrinking.
With all the election doubt and gerrymandering and other dirty tricks, we will certainly need to win at least some of them over or our numbers may not be enough..
Sun Zi said "treat them well, and you can add their chariots to your own."
@LeftistLawyer The right wing has two parties, conservative and liberal. Each faction of the RW fight as if they're not all working for the same boss, capitalism 😂 Billionaires are absolutely the worst welfare scam the nation has ever created. #billionaires#welfarefraud#abuse#fraud#classwar
@LeftistLawyer The right wing are just people who are easily duped by social conditioning. They have no class interests in capitalism. They can be conditioned back.
@LeftistLawyer Yep. That is the one and maybe only dynamic that many abled cishet white dudes can hear and relate to when I'm doing DEI training. It's a good hook.
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