People seem to think Michigan is all industrial and blue. This isn't the case

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

14. They most certainly CAN be won over

The first step is to stop talking about them in a derogatory way.
Second...understand that the rural reality is DIFFERENT than the urban reality. Start looking at gun control in the same way you look at mental health treatment...least restrictive necessary on a case by case basis. A rural county with few people and nearly no crime does NOT need or want the same restrictions as a high crime/gun violence inner city area.

Instead of approaching issues like abortion as "I'm right, you're wrong," approach it with an attempt to understand how the other side feels about the issue. Religious people are not focused on harming the woman, they're focused on saving the unborn child. It's OK to understand, respect and empathize with that position while still supporting choice. The two sides COULD work together to try to PREVENT abortions and push for policies that make it easier to adopt or even keep a child when you don't feel you financially can.

As far as LGBT rights...those can be respected and honoring while also respecting the religious rights of churches and business owners whose faith makes it so they feel conflicted over taking part in same sex weddings. People need to do better remembering that our individual rights end when they cross the line of infringing upon the individual rights of someone else. If both sides could work harder to really honor and understand that delicate balance then damn near any voter is reachable.