Many folks are having excellent discussions on framing, memes, strategies, and all that good forethought that goes into fighting an intellectual war.
Me, I tend to be a little more tactical. So my contribution to the war of ideas is this little series of bite-size, practical, usable framing examples and memes we can all use and propagate.
The "open letter to the enemy" format has been very effective for me in gathering and delivering these, so I'll stick with it for now. It's also ready-made for you to rip off and send to a congressman or as a letter to the editor. Please do!
Today, I give you a weapon to use in the Social Security fight.
George,
Why are you tearing apart the American Family?
Seventy years ago, we agreed as Americans to watch out for each other. To be our brother's keeper. To throw a little money into a family "rainy day" fund so that each of us would be taken care of in our old age.
Now you want to turn us against each other, brother against brother, sister against sister, in a selfish rat race for who can gamble their future the best. How can this possibly be good for the American Family?
Any solid retirement plan includes a certain balance of risk. Social Security has always been the bedrock, the foundation, the reliable portion of Americans' retirement planning.
Now you want to erode that foundation. You want us to divert critical funds and gamble them on the advice of the same Wall Streeters responsible for such debacles as the bursting of the tech bubble, WorldCom and Enron.
Worse, you are selling this irresponsible strategy with the same hook all casinos and lotteries use to dupe the unwary: Selfishness, pure and simple. You sell this corrosive idea by suggesting that Joe Citizen can make more money than the next guy by betting his retirement on your gambling scheme. George, the stock market is anything but a sure bet. Many Americans will lose their futures under your plan.
What kind of parent tells his family to bet their futures against each other? You promote the "value" of selfishness with this reckless plan.
Be responsible. Social Security has served us well and faithfully for three generations. It can do so for another two as is.
If, due to advances in society and medicine, our future generations will live longer, let us rejoice in that. Let us strengthen the system that already stands ready to serve. Let us keep the American Family together.