Good or bad, people have an opinion about President-elect Donald Trump. He’s been part of the national conversation for years and will continue to be for at least the next four. Now, it’s time to figure out how you want to engage with your neighbor, co-worker, or friend who may not like the incoming leader of the free world.
Let’s take baby steps and consider the first 100 days. The start of this new year will be consumed by ongoing analysis of the moves (or anticipated moves) made by the new administration—people’s hopes and fears all rolled into one national conversation.
So, join it!
Whether the person on the other side of the conversation agrees with your opinion of Trump or not, use this time to talk policy rather than personality. Changes to the status quo are likely to happen soon, so there’s no better time to shift talk away from the man in favor of what he’s promised.
Here’s how to do it.
Common Ground
There is a lot of common ground to find as you chat about expectations for Trump’s first three and a half months.
No matter how you feel about the changing of the guard in Washington, there is room for optimism. Promises have been made, but the new administration hasn’t made policy yet, so look forward to changes you hope for and wrap those hopes in inclusive rhetoric.
As you talk with people in the first 100 days, here are a few statements that most people agree with:
We want to be safe.
We want America’s economy to improve.
We want our kids to receive a great education.
The means to these ends will cause division, but that’s why you start with common ground and then move to examples.
Examples
ALERT: Not everything happens in D.C.
Conservative policy changes happen on the local and state levels too, and are usually easier to talk about given they’re more tangible.
Because Trump has made a lot of promises, you have no shortage of material to use. Consider what issues are most important in your state and will therefore have the biggest impact if promises are kept.
For example, school choice. The Daily Signal outlined Trump’s promise on this issue back in November:
Trump has said he would introduce a school choice bill to redirect federal education money to give parents the right to send their children to public, private, charter, magnet, or religious schools of their choice.
Consider the kids in your neighborhood or family who will be better served by attending school with a learning environment that best suits their talents and abilities—music and dance prodigies should be able to attend the best fine arts school in the area; kids who are battling an illness or have physical disabilities should be allowed to learn online.
If children are our future, we should probably make sure they receive a quality education.
Other policy changes that could have an impact in your state include the dismantling of Obamacare, immigration, energy production, etc. Choose whatever issue (or set of issues) will have the biggest impact in your state and cite how conservative policy changes will directly affect the people you know and love.
Words
Voters spoke on Nov. 8, but that doesn’t mean we stop speaking. It’s possible to be optimistic about a new administration and the opportunity it’ll create while also holding leaders accountable. One way is to be mindful of speaking with certainty.
Promises have been made and we’d like to see them kept, but we can’t anticipate the follow through. So, use words and phrases like “I’m hopeful” or “I’m looking forward to” or “here’s why I’d love to see <insert policy change> and reflect what Donald Trump has promised.”
Remember: Your words should be inclusive, your tone should be optimistic, and your allegiance to your values and beliefs should be unwavering.
