The Internet offers all of us a front row seat to our own opinions. These opinions shine gloriously in front of us in the soft glow of a Facebook or Twitter feed, where we get the instant gratification of “Likes” or having someone from the other “team” argue with us.

But wait, this Internet democracy, this political posting as a hobby—can it produce the Minnesota and America we really want? Can we really protect and promote our decent values best through Internet democracy?

The answer, as we all know, is “no.” Online engagement, while perhaps emotionally rewarding in the short-term, is based in activities that draw us away from real democracy. The Internet can even undermine democracy by spreading conspiracy theories, misinformation, and distrust in other Americans. Real democracy takes place in the voting booth and is best supported by helping canvass neighborhoods to persuade neighbors to get out and vote. Real democracy requires working at the local level to recruit and support strong candidates, be it for government office, county commissioners, or the local school board.  Real democracy happens in real time, in real spaces, with people who are present to each other.

So what can you and I do this election season that is more effective than endless on-line posting? We might try talking to people unlike ourselves, face-to-face, to see what they believe. And instead of arguing with them, we might just tell them a story. Tell them a story of someone we know who would be helped by a Democratic policy. Then ask the other person: “Do you know anyone who would be helped by this same certain Democratic policy?” Instead of rolling out our talking points or our enforcing need to be correct, we would be engaging in a real conversation.

Truth is, we don’t need to argue with people or change their mind. We can’t change their minds. Only they can change their minds. But we can encourage them to think, for a moment, about the helpfulness of a Democratic policy. 

This season, ask someone of different political opinion if they know someone, someone they love and care about, who would be helped by a Democratic policy. Then just listen. Encourage them to elaborate. Let them change their own mind. 

This season, let’s help people discover that they need to be Democratic voters.