It is clear the the minority vote on election night did not go the way of the GOP and that some loyal conservatives stayed home and did not vote.
While some are calling for change, they can't agree on what change needs to be made. Many are saying that if we had a more conservative candidate at the top of the ticket, then more hardy GOP turnout could have one the election. Others are saying that more moderate views would win more Hispanics, more women and more young people to the GOP.
I think the GOP is in a bigger quandary. There are not enough Hispanics that vote to make up for the conservatives that would be alienated from the party. Some women will never become republicans, and since we are having fewer and fewer babies, and the GOP is not cool enough for people who haven't lived long enough to know themselves. We have to bring more people into the fold without alienating the people that are here.
The Republicans should not change who they are, but should change the TONE. Our 7th-day Adventist Friends have some good advice that I think the whole party should hear and heed. I will use the example of immigration reform.
We are not talking about compromise, moderating platforms nor changing who we are. We are talking about taking the high road and a tone that will lead to problem resolution.
Here are the bad steps to conflict resolution.
1. Name-callling. Avoid the use of racial slurs, for example. Even the use of terms like illegal alien are offensive to some. The reason why this is bad is because it transforms the discussion into a personal attack. What should we call people who have broken the law and crossed the border without documentation, then? Call them by name. They also prefer the term "undocumented immigrant." Let's go with that because it is respectful.
2. Becoming hysterical. The first person to get angry in a conflict will lose. The statement, "what part of illegal don't you understand?" is an anger statement.
3. Becoming historical. Each immigrant comes to the US for a different reason. Let Democrats try to categorize and pigeon-hole people because that is what they are best at. We are best at solving problems. Let's focus on solutions, not on history. Sorry Newt.
4. Overgeneralizing. Again, we can let the other party do that. That is the main weakness of the Arizona immigration bill, it tends to overgeneralize the problem. Not everyone who crosses our southern border does so for ________.
5. Silent Treatment/Ignoring. We are not going to woo Hispanic voters if we ignore the problems that they care about. We have to show that we are willing to listen to all sides and put forth a workable resolution.
6. Becoming physically abusive. This almost goes without saying.
The right way to solve problems.
1. Define the problem. Here is how I define the immigration problem. "Ever have a party and an uninvited guest showed up? Did they spoil the party? No. But what if the whole neighborhood shows up? Do you have enough to take care of everybody? No." The problem is this, we are simply looking for a way to ensure that there is enough to go around.
2. Listen intently and with an open mind. Not everyone that crosses the border came here for the same reason. Some come to escape problems. Some come to earn money. Some come to be with family. Some come to break the law. What can we do to help? Maybe the solution is to help them make things better at home. We won't know unless we talk.
3. Ask clarifying questions. It helps both sides feel better about the solution to the problem.
4. Restate what the other person has said. That person will then know you have listened.
5. Do not interrupt.
6. Treat others with respect.
Read more at the following address:
http://www.adventistworld.org/article/1298/resources/english/issue-2012-1008/speaking-your-mind-without-losing-it
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