You need to start by deciding what is the one BIG reason for you supporting or opposing an issue. One BIG reason is better than a multitude of small reasons. It is the old KISS theory. Keep it Simple Stupid.
* Your one BIG reason is how you start and end every discussion of the issue. People can understand one BIG reason. They might be able to remember one BIG reason. They cannot remember a number of little reasons.
* The one BIG reason should make ?your cause? also ?their cause.? You must be able to explain why the decision is important to them, and not just to you.
* If you don't have one BIG reason, you risk the danger of switching your reasons around from one discussion to the next. People will get confused as to your real motives.
* If you don't have one BIG reason for your position, your job of swaying opinions just got much harder.
* Finally, if you don't have one BIG reason for your position, why do you have any interest at all?
Beyond your one BIG reason, you then must list your smaller concerns in priority. You do this in order to become organized in your position. You must be able to recite your smaller concerns one right after the other.
As your issues progresses, some of your concerns on your list may be satisfied. Cross them off the list. Or, maybe new concerns are developed. Add them to the list. Your goal is to have every one of your concerns satisfactory decided in your favor. Realistically that won't happen as compromises almost always have to be made. But, your goal is to win every concern.
Along with knowing your side of the issue, you must also know your opponents side of the issue. You should attempt to know their side even better than they do! Only be studying their side of the issue will you be able to develop arguments to counteract their position.
If you really wish to be effective in local politics remember these tips. They will help you to become a winning local government activist.
Copyright 2006 Al Arnold
Al Arnold is the Founder of the National Association of Local Government Activists. The association dedicated to fighting Local Government Apathy. http://WWW.LocalPolitics101.US. He is also the author of Moving Mountains and Molehills Local Politics 101, a book that explains how you can be effective in local politics.
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