I need some help here, DU. Need to have the right words to talk to a NON voter

[leftieNanner]

This afternoon, while I was volunteering at an equine rescue barn (where my heart resides!), cleaning out 26 horse stall waterers, I casually asked a young volunteer who was also working in the barn if she was registered to vote. Her answer surprised me.

"No. I don't vote. I don't like politics."

She was pretty forceful in her tone and I resumed my task. Not wanting to bombard here with "WTF", I decided to consider an approach that might encourage a dialog. I am a 65 yo woman and she is in her 20s. Just as I decided to talk to her about the "Republican men in Congress who want to ban contraceptives" which was a topic that I thought might resonate with her, another volunteer entered the barn and I decided to let it slide. I will see this young woman again on Sunday and it's likely that we will have some time alone together, bringing the horses into the barn from the fields.

Any ideas about how I might broach the subject of civic engagement again in a positive and constructive manner? I'm not looking for a full semester civics class here, just something that might get her to pay attention. It will be her country after I am long gone and my last ballot has been cast.

[bettyellen]

1. I always feel government fails mostly because good and thoughtful people don't participate.

And then maybe a bit how that this is by design. The unpleasantness is there to try and run you off.

[leftieNanner]

3. Thank you.

For your thoughtful response.

[bettyellen]

7. Well gosh- thank you for your efforts! I tell people also that if you don't have time you can always

suss out who in your circle can give you the political cliff notes, who is a more informed voter with similar values to your own. I freely admit asking friends about local races when I don’t know- I’ll do it on the way to the polls if I have to. HA

[MLAA]

2. If control over her own body, affordable healthcare, or equality for all doesn't resonate, i'm not

sure what else to try. Those are the topics I would try for a young woman. 🙂

[leftieNanner]

4. Very good ideas.

nt

[democratic friend]

24. It's possible she's unaware of these things

If she doesn’t watch or read news, it’s possible she doesn’t hear these things. Her parents may have her on her heath insurance so she may think that’s normal. I went on vacation for a week with zero social media or media of any kind. I missed a lot.

[MLAA]

25. Very true

So in all sincerity, maybe telling her about 1973 when Roe vs Wade happened and now, after all these years she might not have basic control of her body if she doesn’t vote.

This is the shirt I wore today.


https://www.kule.com/collections/1973/products/the-modern-long-1973-navy-cream

[CrispyQ]

5. Government impacts every aspect of your life. Every. Aspect.

My fifth grade social studies teacher pounded that in our heads. She told us all th time, when you are old enough, make sure you vote! If you don't vote you are letting other people make vital decisions that will affect you.

YOUR VOTE = YOUR VOICE
Use it or lose it.


*************THE ONLY WAY TO CHANGE THESE NUMBERS IS TO VOTE*************







*************VOTE LIKE YOUR RIGHTS DEPEND ON IT - CUZ THEY DO*************

[SWBTATTReg]

30. Love love love your post!!!! nt

[lindysalsagal]

6. She should know they're coming for ss and taxing her to pay the rich.

[leftieNanner]

11. Social Security will mean nothing to her at this point

I have a feeling that her parents may not be at that age yet and so it has no impact.

But I may talk to her about what kind of health care she has.

These are all such good ideas.

[grantcart]

8. "This year isn't about Republicans or Democrats it's about the Constitution. Do you like the Constit

Or would you prefer one man rule ?"

[Kajun Gal]

9. Write a letter and give it to her when you leave. Think like a 20 yr old...

their issues. College, birth control, job market, health care which she will eventually have to pay for when off parents insurance. The air she breathes, the air the horses breathe. So much to say. But think and take your time. End it with "I only say these things because I love and care for you. It only takes one vote to make a change in how YOU choose to live."
Just be gentle...and let her know that her choice matters a lot, no matter which choice she makes. All we have at this point is our vote.
Good luck!

[FakeNoose]

10. Here's what I would say

Maybe you don't like politics but someday you'll probably want to get married and start a family. You'll want to have safe neighborhoods for your kids to live, and good schools for them to go to. You'll want to have clean water, and air, and safe places for them to play. We take a lot of good things for granted but they could all disappear if the wrong people get elected.

Maybe she will get curious and ask you more questions. Or she just might walk away and ignore the whole thing. But it's worth a try.

[leftieNanner]

13. Excellent ideas

[Kajun Gal]

23. Love this!

[eleny]

12. Maybe let her know you've been thinking about her and how you worry about the future of young people

You know, nothing contrived but just what's been happening. You have been thinking about her being apolitical. If you just say what's real you'll be more comfortable. Let her know how much we fought for the right to contraception back when you were her age.

But it's risky if she's deeply right wing Christian in her beliefs. Perhaps you can learn about that first.

Good luck!

[Botany]

14. Billions of dollars have been spent in order to make millions of Americans to think that .....

... both sides are the same and there is really no point in voting. If you both love horses
talk her about that and maybe what trails she likes to ride or when is her favorite season to
ride. Build from there.

BTW in some cases the "I don't vote. I don't like politics." Answer is to cover their right wing
voting which they don't want people to know.

[Ohioboy]

15. Maybe give her a hypothetical question to think about,

something along the lines of: what if a big corporation set up shop near the equine rescue barn and began polluting the land and water all around the horses? Would she not want to vote for people to make laws against such things?

I'm just throwing this out as an idea. I hope you come up with more helpful ideas. I admire you for doing this.

[lapucelle]

16. People died to secure and protect your right to vote.

[gratuitous]

17. How are the roads and schools in your area?

If you're like most of the country, probably pretty bad. When was the last time a new jail or prison was built in your state? When was the last time a new state university campus was built?

Politics is how we collectively decide how to spend those tax dollars that we all pay into the big pot of revenue. If you don't care that the schools are modern, state of the art facilities, or that the road you're driving on is kept up and maintained*, then stay out of politics. If you're not involved, the decisions pass on to someone who decides that it's more important that yacht buyers get a big tax break than that your issue gets funded. And if that's the case, the fellow who's so solicitous of yacht buyers is also heavily invested in making sure you don't like politics. So he works real hard to make politics distasteful to you. There's a reason he does that, so that he can have his way without any input or opposition from you.

*Substitute whatever issue or issues the young woman might care about.

[Kajun Gal]

18. PS...One day she will care and she will vote. Hope we aren't run by Russia by then!

[BigmanPigman]

19. I was in the same position today in fact with a young woman.

This comes up often with me since I invite it. Today I mentioned pre-existing conditions and healthcare, abortion, immigration, the environment, gun control and climate change. When I said goodbye to her I asked if she was voting in Nov and she said, "Yes, now I am". It turns out she watched the news and didn't know what happened, she thought it was another shooting. She saw my anti-Kavanaugh button and brought the subject up by asking me about it (I made it two weekends ago, it has a red circle and a red slash through his name and a little hanger hanging off of it).

RESISTANCE IS PATRIOTISM!

[in2herbs]

20. Tell her that all of the budgets Trump has proposed contain a provision for Congressional

defunding of wild horses and their "compassionate" euthanasia.

[Corgigal]

21. Democracy doesn't run on autopilot

dumbass.

Not at all positive, but truthful and I'm tired of allowing others without skin in the game to screw the rest of us. I blame the non voters, they are too blind to see.

[kentuck]

22. "Are you woke"?

Are you paying attention?

Baby Boomers are dying off and it is left to you to protect our country?

Are you ready for that?

[Kajun Gal]

26. Here's one...that age group LIVES on the internet. Snapchat, Facetime, etc. What if

they couldn't do that because of net neutrality laws?
If they had to pay for it? Something along those lines. I'm 61 so not real sure, but think they are all free now??? I don't do any of them but Lord how I know my grandkids live on those sites...

[marlakay]

27. I start with air and water something

we all need. I usually tell people that don't vote its the republicans that are polluting them and cancer is getting worse all the time. I say the parties might seem the same to you and most of them have money but its the republicans that are destroying the very thing we need to live!

[BaileyBill]

28. I have been thinking of trying:

"Just for a second, think of the worst person you've ever known. Now, think of them voting. Do you really want to let them decide the rules for you?"

Would want to be pretty sure it was someone with a liberal bent. If there was a magic formula, it would have already been posted.

Good luck!!

[SWBTATTReg]

29. All of us have friends and family that have been impacted by negative government actions...

One being that the minimum wage at the federal level is still set from a 1980s effort and hasn't been increased since. A few states and cities tried to increase the minimum wage levels, but in some cases, the repug.-controlled houses rolled them back (in Missouri). This is one thing. She's probably working or has friends already working at this level. She should know how much their expenses are, compared to the wages they are making, and see immediately the negative impact.

Another area is taxes and what we pay. Does she realize that she pays more in percentage of her income in taxes compared to Warren Buffet? He's been wanting them to increase his taxes but so far, they haven't done so in a significant manner for some time.

A couple of things...good luck!

[meadowlander]

31. I don't like going to the dentist.

But if I didn’t all my teeth would fall out and I wouldn’t be able to eat solid food. Sometimes we need to do things that aren’t fun to prevent something a lot worse. You know... adulting.

[Sparkly]

32. "Why do you volunteer for the horses?"

Start there. She has a heart. She cares about the horses.

Then talk about children in this country who, through no fault of their own, live each day not knowing where they'll sleep that night or where their next meal will come from.

Talk about their needs for health care, housing and food; their parents' need for jobs and safety. Introduce it day by day, little by little, and let her ask questions. Let her know the positions of local candidates, and where you have meet ups or whatever....

"I don't like politics" often means "Politics don't mean anything to me." I'll bet you could bring her around.

[procon]

33. She obviously likes animals and wants to help them, use that.

Animal protection groups depend on donations and volunteers. That means people have to have jobs or the support with enough income that allows them to participate in animal welfare activities. If they are the working poor they are less likely to be aware of animals in need of help, or have the wherewithal -- even if they wanted to -- to help out.

The less education, lack of transportation and the minimum wage income that people have, the less likely they are to care about animals, even their own. Now point out which party best supports the programs and policies that are not only offering people a way out of poverty vs crushing the poor into oblivion, but also backing laws to protect all animals.

Recent news articles abound with Republicans rolling back laws that allow hunting of bears and wolves, even shooting them in their dens. Lowering the standards for the humane treatment of livestock to feeding and slaughter facilities. Allowing wild horses to be killed or sold to meat packers. Letting puppy mills go with no inspections. Lowering the standards for imported pet food that may contain toxin elements.

None of this is being done by Dems. Even if she isn't into politics, politics is in to her and hurting something she seems to care about. If she isn't engaged, she's enabling the Republicans to do more damage to animals.

[Ilsa]

34. Not to guilt her, but I consider it a civic responsibility to vote.

I think everyone should be registered.

Find something personal to her that is affected by laws, whether local, state, or national. Doesn't she feel passionate about anything other than the horses? Will that be enough?

[WVGal1963]

35. Our Animal Friends Need Our Votes

My instinct is that since she is a volunteer, like you, she might respond to her need to nurture and help our animal friends! Clearly, this president has NO regard for endangered species/wildlife/pets/human impact on our equine friends/etc. If her heart is with the horses, she may respond more to this than to any issues that she considers “political”, via her definition. It might make her think a little differently.