Having tried for years to teach evolution to an audience with many 
disbelievers, I wondered how you change the minds of those so beyond 
logic and reason.  I have yet to find an answer.  I read George Lakoff's 
book, Don't think of an elephant.  He said that people have mental 
"frames" that get imprinted on our brain from our upbringing and from 
constant repetition.  When a frame in implanted, mountains of facts and 
logic will not sway people.  Worse, they will accept anything that fits 
the frame, even if it is wrong or illogical.  The religious beliefs of 
many are nearly immutable frames.

You might have heard the country song, "You gotta stand for something or 
you'll fall for anything."  Really, its the other way around.  If you 
stand for a frame you will fall for anything.

I think the Republican propaganda machine is very good at implanting and 
reinforcing frames.  The whole party gets emails with talking points and 
everyone says nearly the exact same words.  E. g. Tax and spend 
liberal.  Wasteful spending...

The only thing that might change a person's frame is constant repetition 
of a contrary thought to build a frame.  I wish that Democrats would all 
say the same thing.  Say it loud and say it often. E. g.  Regan and Bush 
doubled the deficit.  Tax cuts do not pay for themselves.

Instead, for the last 2 years the propaganda floor has belonged nearly 
100% to the conservatives.  We have a tepid president that won't answer 
them and seemingly other tepid Dems that also remain silent.  Dems have 
to propagandize the truth.  Lanny Schwartz

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