How to handle another ten tough questions

Posted on July 20, 2017

This is from our newly-published 3rd Edition of Voicing Our Values, which you can read here.

The following questions are phrased from a relatively hostile point of view. Whether the questioner is actually hostile or just curious, your best answer always starts at a point of agreement and uses values.

  1. Shouldn’t schools teach the controversy between evolution and intelligent design?
Say . . .
The founders of our nation strongly supported freedom of religion. After all, many of their families came here to escape governments that imposed religion upon their citizens. So freedom of religion is the very heart of America. Virtually all scientists agree that intelligent design is not science, it is religion. That’s why children should learn about it in church, not in public school science classes.

Note . . .

Intelligent design is a difficult issue because half of Americans believe in some form of creationism, so you’ve got to lean heavily on their values. Religious people value freedom of religion.

  1. Do you favor the death penalty?
Say . . .
Our criminal justice system should be focused on making all of us safer. Since there is not an ounce of evidence that the death penalty deters any crime at all, we shouldn’t spend the enormous amounts of time and money needed to implement it. Instead, we should insist that our courts, prosecutors and police divert those resources toward efforts that actually diminish crime. Besides, there are so many people who have been sentenced to death who were later proven innocent. That’s an awful injustice, and it also pretty well guarantees that the real murderer remains at large and continues to threaten everyone’s safety.

Note . . .

Again, as much as possible, focus on public safety instead of injustice.

  1. Do you think that “corporations are people”?
Say . . .
Corporations are not people. They are pieces of paper; they are contracts with the state. Corporations are necessary for doing business and our laws should enable people to run businesses successfully. But corporations don’t deserve rights that are fundamental to people, like freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly. Those rights belong to you and me.

Note . . .

It was Mitt Romney who said, “Corporations are people, my friends.” The idea that corporations have the right to freedom of speech is central to the Citizens United ruling that has resulted in uncontrolled spending in elections.

  1. Doesn’t environmental regulation lead to higher energy prices?
Say . . .
None of us likes it when prices rise. But I only support new rules that provide more benefit than cost. Environmental rules protect something that we all own together—our air, water, forests and parks—from abuse by just a few people. When they pollute for profit it is at our joint expense. We need fair and transparent rules to make sure environmental costs aren’t dumped on all of us.

Note . . .

Make the environment real to listeners. For more about the environment, see Chapter 9.

  1. Shouldn’t we stop the construction of a mosque in our neighborhood? They’re terrorists!
Say . . .
Freedom of religion is fundamental to America. The key to defending freedom is this: if we deny freedoms to other hardworking law-abiding people, that’s how we lose them ourselves. In this case, if a town can block construction just because it’s a mosque, then it can block Mormons or Seventh Day Adventists, Methodists or Catholics…or your own denomination. None of us are free unless all of us are free.

Note . . .

People adore freedom but honestly don’t understand it. You may have to explain it to them.

  1. Wouldn’t it hurt small businesses and cost jobs if we increased the minimum wage?
Say . . .
Our economy depends on small businesses. We have to encourage them. But all the evidence shows that increasing the minimum wage puts money in the pockets of people who will spend it almost immediately, which quickly generates business for the local economy. If we do it right, raising the minimum wage is a win-win.

Note . . .

American almost worship small businesses. Embrace them! The fact is, voters overwhelmingly support a substantial raise in the minimum wage, so this is not a difficult sell. To appeal to persuadable voters, focus on how the minimum wage stimulates the economy for everyone rather than how it helps the poor. For more, see Chapter 17.

  1. Why are you running for office?
Say . . .
The economy is terrible, people are hurting, and our state/city/county is not doing enough to solve the real problems. I’m running because we can do better. Our system works when everyone gets a fair shot, everyone gives their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules. My opponent’s policies are not fair; they rig the system to benefit the rich over the rest of us. My policies would ensure that everyone who works hard and plays by the rules has the opportunity to live the American Dream.

Note . . .

Everyone who runs for office must be ready to answer this question without hesitation. This is a generic example. If you run for office, personalize this to your campaign and your community, and then memorize it and repeat it every chance you get.

  1. Are you a tax-and-spend liberal?
Say . . .
I am a pragmatic and commonsense progressive. I support a balanced budget for our city/county/state. And I support tax fairness. We need to identify and cut tax breaks and loopholes that benefit the wealthy few at the expense of all the rest of us. Our overall goal should be to maintain and improve the quality of life here in [location], not just for ourselves, but for our children and grandchildren.

Note . . .

Don’t get defensive. Smack this softball out of the park.

  1. Are you trying to knock down the free enterprise system?
Say . . .
No, I favor equal opportunity for everyone. That requires a system with rules of the road that make economic competition fair and open and honest. We need to ensure that everybody gets a fair shot, does their fair share, and plays by the same fair rules. Our goal must be to ensure that everyone who works hard and acts responsibly has the opportunity to live the American Dream.

Note . . .

Americans are opposed to economic unfairness. This harsh question gives you the opportunity to lay out your basic progressive economic theme.

  1. Are you a Socialist?
Say . . .
I support freedom, opportunity and security for all. We call that a Progressive.

Note . . .

If you’re in a crowd, smile. That ideologue just did you a favor.

SHARE