Reply #50: We need to define our VALUES first.

[blondeatlast]

As Lakoff said, values must come first. That means VERY BROAD statements of belief. That way we can begin to work "slippery-slope policy" into gear the way the RadRight has done.

What I see as "big D" Democratic values, in no particular order, just as they come to me:

Clean air and water

Safety and security of every human

Quality education

Equality

Economic protection of every American citizen/Elimination of poverty

Dignity of all humans

Justice

Feel free to add your own. I think we need to define our VALUES, then look to the policy. It's harder to do, but it is really a basic effort, and it prevents us from falling into the opponents' terminology and ideas.

Remember, with values we need to think broadly, then work our values INTO policy. Harder to do at first, but it makes policy making much easier in the long run.