All this talk about the Democrats and "values"

[bluestateguy]

We now hear from the echo chamber that the Democrats are getting hammered on the so-called "values issues" and that the party's position on those issues are alienating large portions of Middle America.

OK, so let's say that the Democrats decide to remedy this problem by just up and changing their positions on all these issues. They say, "OK, we're now against gay marriages", "We're now against abortion rights", "We now want prayer in the public schools", "We want stem cell research banned". Would that mean that suddenly we could expect white conservative fundamentalist Christians in Alabama to suddenly start voting Democratic?

The answer to that question should be obvious.

[sangh0]

1. You're missing the point

It's not about changing positions. It's about re-framing them so that the way we talk about our positions reflects the values that support them.

Read Lakkoff's "Don't Think of an Elephant"

[JI7]

7. like Bill Clinton on stem cell research

he called support for stem cell research the "pro life" position.

[QC]

2. "Values" is a euphemism for "faghating."

I wish the mediawhores could at least be a little bit honest about that, but I have long since given up on them being even slightly honest about anything.

[GreenArrow]

9. precisely

.

[ibegurpard]

3. The answer is VERY obvious

They just hate Democrats. The national and state parties have neglected one-on-one personal politics in favor of chasing corporate dollars and that has allowed these cancers to take over.

[GimmeDANEger]

4. we need to reveal the true values of the republicans

every shady congressman. every fucking affair. every mistress. every line of coke snorted. we need to bury them in their own fucking idealism.

[LTRS]

6. Yes, definitely

[LTRS]

5. No, it doesn't require abandoning our principles

We have let them steal the meaning of the word values. We need a unified message that gets pounded day after day for the next 2-4 yrs that redefines the world values to put it back into reality land.

Kerry / Edwards did this some, and the party should have made this a signature issue. Values are not discriminating against people, they are making sure seniors don't have to choose food or medication; that people should make a living wage and not work 2500 hours a year only to still be in poverty; that children have healthcare; that corporations are not more important than the people.

The dem position on these issues are much more in line with true Christian values. I know, I converted two Christian conservatives to vote for Kerry based on wonderfully written arguments from pastors on that very issue.

I'm convinced that is the key.

[GreenArrow]

8. the point is that issues like homosexualtiy

and abortion carry greater moral weight than things like starting illegal wars based on packs of lies, or stealing elections, or betraying the public trust, etc. etc. etc.

The fucking democrats should quit letting the republicans define the issues.