Over the past couple of years--as I've turned into a (lurker) political junkie--I've been teeth-grinding frustrated with how easy it has been for the right wing cabal to latch on to media sound bites that become repetitive in defining Democrats.
Oh you know them, I'm sure:
Defeatocrats
Tax and Spend
Cut and Run
Death Tax
Once these sound bites are thrown out there, they are repeated ad nauseum and they seem to stick in the minds of the "information-challenged" in our population. What I'd like to see is a straight-forward, clear, no-nonsense response to these Republican frames. Here's what I'm envisioning:
First of all, let me say that I live in the state of North Carolina. I'm in the Research Triangle area, and this swath of the state is more progressive than other areas. However, I have numerous family members (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) who also live in this area and who are die-hard, conservative Republicans, flying so hard on that right wing that they are going in circles. I'm not a person who is comfortable with confrontation, but I will forward the occasional article that to ME makes so much sense that I can't believe anyone else reading it, conservative or not, wouldn't experience some kind of an epiphany as well.
Typically, I still get a response along the lines of: "tree hugger, Liberal, against the troops, Obama is still a scary brown Muslim, Dems want to increase your taxes, you're not patriotic, etc." Guns can be a huge issue here, and there are many single issue voters (my step-father for one) that vote Republican because the NRA tells them the Democrats will take away their guns. (I know this, because I've received misguided mailings from the NRA. Holy cow, if I believed half of it, I might vote Republican, too!)
Religion can also be huge, as many think that Democrats are all athiests, or worse. (Disclosure: I identify myself as a Christian and have attended my wonderful Methodist Church for all of my 46 years.)
OK, enough about me and more to the point. Here is the commercial I want to see:
In my mind's eye, I envision a wall full of frames (think Harry Potter in the room of frames, where they have to enter a password before they can enter their dormitory). Big frames, small frames, different colors and textures. Perhaps somewhere on the wall--or else mentioned verbally--is the theme: REPUBLICAN FRAMES.
Each frame has a particular Repub soundbite on it: DEATH TAX, TAX HIKE, AGAINST NATIONAL SECURITY, CUT AND RUN. You can probably come up with many more--and better--frames than I. In the commercial, a person walks into the frame room, looks up to the wall of frames. He grabs a frame, and then gives a 30-second RATIONAL, COHERENT response. Like this:
Actor grabs a frame off the wall that says DEATH TAX.
He calmly approaches the audience, and in a rational, no-nonsense tone explains the Republican framing of the issue, as well as the TRUTH. Short, brief, and clear.
Example: Though many Republicans call this the "death tax," the reality is that unless you have an estate over XXX dollars, this tax will never apply to you. [Could be more, if necessary]....
but THEN, the coup de grace (spelling, French majors?)....the announcer then throws the frame onto a pile of discarded frames, along with an accompanying crashing/glass-breaking sound.
This can be done on "Republican" frame after "Republican" frame after "Republican" frame. Picture an entire wall of Republican frames...and pulling one frame off the wall--and shattering it--each week/month. The actor should not be anyone running for office, but someone with huge credibility....OR a 'nobody' who is good at this type of commercial.
Gawd, I'd love to see this commercial! It would have to be sponsored by some type of Democratic organization, not any of the candidate's campaingns--just one promoting Democrats in office. Imagine all the Republican soundbites systematically destroyed, one by one. I will admit that this will not be a cure-all, especially for my state. The recent diary by someone working in Western NC was thoroughly depressing ("I won't vote for a Nigger or a woman")...and it is easy to be discouraged in this state! But I refuse to be discouraged!
If there is anyone out there with the ability/money/connections to make such a commercial, do it! And while you're at it, make a bumper sticker that says:
BIG GOVERNMENT
with the BIG crossed out and instead the word GOOD in its place.
Thanks for reading. Just had to get it off my chest...as well as my brain!