Framing the issues with language...suggestions needed

[grannylib]

Hi All - At last night's DU Meetup here in south central Minnesota, we were talking about the reThugs ability to "frame the issues" in such a way as to get the desired reaction from voters. We are planning on doing some research on that, particularly with Lakoff's book ("Don't Think of an Elephant" I think is the title.)
Anyhow, we are going to be writing a lot of LTTEs and all, and I am looking for your best ideas on how to phrase things in such a way that they will resonate with people and make them think about the issues. Couple of things we talked about, regarding reThugs, were:
anti-family wages
poisoned environment
GOP = Government of Pork

what are your best suggestions for good phrases that will create an image of reThuglicans that truly reflects how filthy and corrupt they really are?

[tk2kewl]

1. dig around in here...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=252

this group never really took off but there is some good stuff in there.

my $0.02 -- "culture of corruption" is one worth pushing since the DNC is running with it

[grannylib]

2. Oh that's a good one...I think something along the lines of "hand in hand

with terrorists" might be good (pic of imbecile and Saudi prince holding hands, while mentioning over and over and over and over that 19 of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudis...)
Will check out the thread, thanks!

[paineinthearse]

17. I wasn't aware of that group, guess I should cruise to see what is new

That's one reason I miss the old "ask the admins" forum, one could keep abreast with what was new and developing.

[tk2kewl]

18. it never really took off unfortunately

maybe not enough people know about it :shrug:

[WestHoustonDem]

3. We're working on message and framing in Houston

I just PM'd you with details on how to read our Yahoo group.

[grannylib]

5. thanks very much, WestHoustonDem!

[dobegrrrl]

4. framing

How about
GOP = guilty old party, or greedy old party.:think:

[grannylib]

6. Greed is definitely something that must be put out there, over and over...

personal greed, corporate greed...
Government of Photo-Ops???
Any way to slam the GOP would be great.

[Telly Savalas]

7. Just speak from the heart.

Leave the buzzwords for the talking head gasbags on TV. If you're passionate about what you believe, it'll come through in your writing.

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Amen!

To the OP: Framing is a science and requires a great deal of skill. If you've read Lakoff, that is probably obvious. Most of what gets called 'framing' is really cliched and jingoistic, albeit true. It has little in the way of meat and is often a rephrasing of a previously used Republican phrase (Contract on America comes immediately to mind.

Newt Gingrich, several weeks ago, put out a new frame, however. And so far, the Repubs haven't been using it. (Maybe they're a little busy right now. Ya think? :) )

Anyway, say what you will of Newt, he's beyond good at this. He's very good.

His new frame? Effective Government

Think of it. Effective Government. You can riff damned near anything off that base line.

"Government of the Repubs has been ineffective for average Americans because of their preoccupation with Iraq."

"Democrats want an effective national security policy that keeps our ports safe."

"Democratic proposals for our national energy policy would result in effective governmental support for alternative fuel research."

See how easy that is! I'd love to see our side steal their own meme and run with it before they do.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

14. Clinton = Effective Government; Bush = Defective Government

[Merlot]

8. I'm reading "Don't Think of an Elephant" right now

If I could offer one suggestion to you ...READ THIS BOOK before you do anything else. It's facinating. It really shows what the mindset is.

I'm only a third of the way through and it's a short book. I have learned SO much.

[grannylib]

11. *lol* the whole damn meetup group just ordered it for reading before our

next meeting! that's how we got started on this whole issue, was when one member brought up that title. one of the college dems works in the campus bookstore and gets a discount, so we are all buying it and will read before next meetup.
glad to hear you found it useful; am anxious to dig into it!

[skipos]

10. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

Dean once said that was what Democrats are about. I forget what TV show it was on, but I liked it.
I also would like to hear about a government that helps it's less fortunate citizens (it regards to higher taxes.) Dems tend to mention raising taxes of the top 1% and I think it backfires (as most people think they are in the top 1% or something). Dems should tell people WHY we might want higher taxes.

[grannylib]

13. I think rather than focusing on taxes (which certainly do hit the poor

much harder than the wallowing fatass pigs at the top) we should focus on making sure that businesses pay PRO-FAMILY WAGES.
If workers could make ends meet on one income, the way most people could when I was a kid, we would not NEED the entitlement spending, the make-up-the-difference spending that the government now takes on because of the lack of decent living wages.

[skipos]

19. good point. nt

[Bernardo de La Paz]

12. My current meme list

Neo-Cronies, same old con.

The Ferengi Administration

Cargo Cult Republicans (earning under 30k/yr)

Jabbar Gibson for Head of FEMA

How Many Deaths To Prove Incompetency?

Titanic analogy

Katrina blew Bush's tissue of lies apart.

Katrina blew the clothes off the emperor.

Katrina roared and the Chimp howled.

They Forgot to Color Code Katrina.

New Orleans: the third Gulf War.

Faith Based Disaster Planning

Bush Loves Black Oil, not Black People

The Only Buck that Stops on Bush's Desk is Green and Slimy with Oil
Only Oily Green Bucks stop on Bush's Desk

Our soldiers are stationed in the wrong gulf.

When a Bushista starts saying "Nobody thought ...", they can be
stopped right there.

Under GWBush, infant mortality has risen for the first time since 1958.

Don't have a hurricane in a non-election year.

Make Levees, Not War

Make Coherent Sentences, Not War

Iraq Sand Trap

War is Not Pro-Life

Potty Break Bush

Pre-digested DVDs for Bush

War starts with W

Stop Mad Cowboy Disease

The Rapture is not an Exit Strategy!

picture of Bush on one side and Hitler on the other
and it said "Same Shit - Different Asshole"

a sign with Reagan and Dubya's Official White House photos.
Underneath them it said "Ron" and "Moron" respectively

I can't believe we still have to protest this crap.

Chimpeachment!

Bush has Iraqtile Disfunction!

Asses of Evil

Bush + Dick = Fucked

Eliminate the Warfare State

Bushco making a killing

Liar, Born Liar, Born-again Liar

If this war is noble, let nobility fight it.

Pro- whose life?

Conserving compassion

Protected until birth, then you're on your own

Instead of being born again, why not just grow up?

Anything war can do, peace can do better.

Siege of New Orleans 2005

Leave No Child Behind, except in New Orleans
New Orleans: No Child Left Unscathed

Intelligent Design theory gave us FEMA.

FEMA attacked New Orleans by withholding water, food, and medical teams.
- Cut Jefferson Parish emergency phone lines.

Federal Emergency Managed Attack.
Federal Excuse Making Agency.

Bush Strummed, New Orleans drowned.

Bush to Katrina: Bring it On.

Speaker Hastert to New Orleans: City drop dead.

[grannylib]

22. Hey, those are outstanding!!

I would add "Eliminate the Wall Street Welfare State" too

Really good ones, thanks for sharing!

[OhioBlue]

15. well my 2 cents...

I'm SICK of the Republicans hammering at "well what does the Dem party offer, they have no message, etc."

What the hell does the Republican Party stand for????? I get that they are against a woman's right to choose, or a gay couple right to marry... I get that.... but what else are they?

They aren't fiscally responsible, they aren't better at defense, they don't support the troops more - the lack of equipment and veteran's benefits prooves that, they aren't for effective, smaller govt - they have grown govt and for every party, insider crony hack they appoint, it takes 2 or 3 competent people to cover and clean up the mess, more patriotic????? ha - they tear down every veteran that dares run against them - dem or repug.... just what the hell do they stand for except taking away or prohibiting personal rights and making things comfortable for rich people????

[spindrifter]

16. What I would hit on

is cronyism and corruption. Dems pledge competence, not complacency.

[elehhhhna]

20. Here is a MUST READ, also:

Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind (Paperback)
by Al Ries, Jack Trout

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071373586/102-2943928-0504131?v=glance&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance

It is very accessible and helped me immensely in marketing my business--the strategies are universal and work for political framing as well.

[Solon]

21. Couple of things of a more general nature are these...

For the enviroment, as an example, make it about personal health and basic survival, ask people if they like eating fish containimated with mercury, that can lead to serious birth defects in their future kids. This will be particularly good for potential mothers and the soccer moms of the country. Tell them about increased asthma rates in children lately. Ask them if they are willing, in the future, to pay 20 bucks for a bottle of water.

On energy policy, just ask them to look at the pumps, what have Republicans done to provide relief? Provide a plan with real, long term solutions, that will provide for REAL energy independence. (NOTE: Loser issue, regardless of politics, we will lose our lifestyle here, 2nd law of thermodynamics cannot be circumvented by pretty words, just soften the blow, tell them not to shoot the messenger).

Those are just examples, try them out on people, see how they react.