General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Chris Matthews delivers the damn smartest reply I have seen to the "Socialist" accusation [View all]PatrickforO
(14,604 posts)noise machine wants is to put us on the defensive.
However, our platform is a very sound. Repeal the giant tax cut for billionaires and corporations and implement more reforms in the tax code so that the rich are taxed at higher rates. Work toward Medicare for all, and failing that, universal healthcare with a public option. A Green New Deal, promising vigorous action to reduce the carbon footprint. Infrastructure projects, maintenance and upgrades. Debt free college.
Here's the thing. We had this guy in my state, Udall, who was a pretty good guy but lost reelection to a wing-nut named Cory Gardner. Why? Because his campaign message was so weak and lame, listening to his drivel was like pushing your face through mush. No one actually knew what the guy stood for. Gardner, on the other hand, stood for low taxes, reduced regulation and a business-friendly climate. That was his message.
So what happened? Gardner won with 983K votes to Udall's 944K. So, 41,000 votes in what is a pretty blue state. Why? Because Udall's message was so weak he didn't seem to stand for anything.
We need to take page from the Republicans and NOT APOLOGIZE OR WALK ON EGGS with our messaging. We ARE for healthcare for everyone. We ARE for reversing or at least mitigating climate change. We ARE for debt-free college.
That's what was great about Bernie in '16. He pounded and pounded on the message. Oh, eventually the opposition brought him down, but not until he'd planted the seeds of these policies, ones that actually would make Americans' lives much better and more worth living. He moved the message. He GENUINELY shifted the Overton Window.
So, let's get out there and POUND on the message. Don't apologize, don't say we're sorry, don't waffle when confronted with the words, socialist, Stalinist, Communist - instead reply with a laugh, then say, "They call anything they don't like 'socialism,' and what we ACTUALLY stand for is..."
We can WIN with our message, and our platform. The majority of Americans support our platform (healthcare, green new deal, infrastructure, taxes, and debt-free college), at over 50%. So, we can't let them control the message. We have to.