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starroute

(12,977 posts)
33. Progressives need to recapture the narrative
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 07:27 PM
Nov 2014

I read something the other day -- I don't recall if it came through here or at Facebook -- that more or less said, "Democrats have positions but Republicans tell stories."

I didn't agree with all the details of the piece, but the general thrust of it was persuasive. Most Americans don't follow policy arguments. Even issues like preserving Social Security and Medicare don't necessarily favor the Democrats, because the Republicans have gotten very good at using words like "save" and "reform" when they're really talking about cutting and privatizing. So we need a way to catch people where their hearts are.

The Republicans have recently managed to capture the main narrative of American history -- partly because progressives have gotten too embarrassed over slavery and genocide to quite embrace it -- and they're going even further now by trying to portray the Founding Fathers as Bible-quoting Christians. We need to push back against that. We need to retell the story of America as a nation of immigrants, of people learning to get along with others who weren't just like them, of an ever-widening circle of inclusion and acceptance that has been the source of the amazing creativity that has characterized this nation at its best.

It also wouldn't hurt to talk about things like free or low-cost education and health care as a way of freeing up the entrepreneurial spirit and allowing Americans to take risks and commit themselves to new ways of doing things. Or to pitch the process of responding to climate change and promoting alternative energy sources as an extension of the can-do response to challenges that has always made America great. In short, we should be figuring out where the GOP message finds its greatest appear and rather than ceding those issues to them we should be translating them into progressive terms (and showing up the GOP as hypocrites).

How about starting with your #1? MannyGoldstein Nov 2014 #1
Okay, here's one: Eleanors38 Nov 2014 #2
Right to a Roof, Right to Eat, Right to Health? grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #27
Another: Guaranteed liveable wage. Eleanors38 Nov 2014 #3
Living wage is already in the vernacular. grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #28
But, wait: Protection and conservation of all water. Eleanors38 Nov 2014 #4
Order now: Renewed protection of All individual rights. Eleanors38 Nov 2014 #5
Plus: Reduce college loan debt by 2/3, pay off balance by Eleanors38 Nov 2014 #6
Coming soon: Strengthen & protect right to unionize. Eleanors38 Nov 2014 #7
A few ideas: Chathamization Nov 2014 #10
These are all great! ^^^^. Especially single payer. on point Nov 2014 #17
Good idea to promote small biz opportunity... Eleanors38 Nov 2014 #37
sigh.. annabanana Nov 2014 #24
Exactly. Segami Nov 2014 #43
Good gawd, I think i am in love with the the folks here at PRG! peacebird Nov 2014 #25
Roosevelt's 4 Freedonms is a great place to start. Jackpine Radical Nov 2014 #23
"Freedom from want", "Freedom from Fear" grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #32
FDR and his advisors knew economy of language... Eleanors38 Nov 2014 #38
A discussion about principles we support, not just tactical positions on point Nov 2014 #8
I strongly agree with the idea of your post. F4lconF16 Nov 2014 #20
#2 is very interesting. We should never use the term 'regulation' and innstead should use, say, grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #34
I think you are right about "rules" & "laws." Eleanors38 Nov 2014 #39
Every time the term 'regulation' is said, it should be met with the term 'rules', ex.: grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #45
Aren't you all gonna have to get simple? yallerdawg Nov 2014 #9
And what does Warren's ensconcement in a leadership position, as of this A.M. villager Nov 2014 #11
She does stay on message. yallerdawg Nov 2014 #12
It will be interesting to see if the Dem apparatus allows Warren to change *their* "message..." villager Nov 2014 #13
"Go rogue" was another populist message. yallerdawg Nov 2014 #15
Interesting thought -- that you need the "character" or personality to capture the "mindshare," villager Nov 2014 #16
I agree about simplicity, as in the 4 Freedoms Eleanors38 Nov 2014 #40
I think existing progressive groups like the DFA or WFP are a good place to start. Chathamization Nov 2014 #14
My thoughts demwing Nov 2014 #18
The big one is obvious jeepers Nov 2014 #44
Another goal: A national voter rights act that covers all federal elections on point Nov 2014 #19
A strong plank of any populist movement should be a fully educated and informed populace cascadiance Nov 2014 #21
Goals PADemD Nov 2014 #22
I like the Second Bill of Rights. EEO Nov 2014 #35
Just don't call it the Real Deal! Eleanors38 Nov 2014 #41
Use the term "Costly Trade Agreements" NEVER "Free Trade Agreements" grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #26
Good idea. Eleanors38 Nov 2014 #36
Why don't we start at the beginning. Maedhros Nov 2014 #29
Everyone should watch George Lakoff, "Retaking Political Discourse" grahamhgreen Nov 2014 #30
maybe make some emails up fadedrose Nov 2014 #31
Progressives need to recapture the narrative starroute Nov 2014 #33
And what better way than to have a young man or woman Eleanors38 Nov 2014 #42
Here is a long list of what I basically support for the benefit of the people: Zorra Nov 2014 #46
Kicked & Rec'd /nt demwing Nov 2014 #47
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