Framing Bush's Social Security plans

I noticed the wonderfully descriptive phrase "retirement tax" from Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), as quoted in Josh Marshall's Talking Points Memo, as a description of how Bush's Social Security plans will affect seniors. When we talk about framing our issues, we need to be on the lookout for gems like these -- we should watch not only for bad GOP frames to avoid, but also for good frames to adopt.

So, I suggest using the following words or phrases when describing Bush's Social Security plans:

• "Retirement Tax"
• Gutting
• Slashing
• Looting
• Plundering
• Enron-ing
• "Fuzzy Numbers" (a Bush quote from the 2000 debates)
• Fixed-Income

...and I'd suggest avoiding these words, which the GOP will use to frame the issue:

• Reform
• Crisis
• "Private Accounts" (we already have them -- they're called "401K"s)
• Insolvent (simply not true)
• Bankrupt
• Investment
• Market
• Capital

Other suggestions (from our more experienced framers) are welcome.

•  don't forget 'privatization'

  Bush is doing everything possible to avoid this word, although that's exactly what he's calling for.  I think we should be saying 'SS privatization' instead of 'SS reform.'

  by Susan1138 on Thu Jan 13, 2005 at 05:14:33 AM PDT

  •  Privatization is too weak of a word.

    Privatization seems to be the Republican frame.  We need to focus on framing the destruction of Social Security with our frame.  

    by Boppy on Thu Jan 13, 2005 at 05:22:58 AM PDT

    •  Actually

      They have shifted away from "privitization" as the frame because it didn't do well in the focus groups - it brought up the connotation of corporatization of SS.  

      They don't like it, so I think we should keep using it.

      There was another term that didn't do well that described the actual accounts, and I don't recall it at the moment.  I'll post back if I can find it.

      by Pennsylvanian on Thu Jan 13, 2005 at 07:04:01 AM PDT

    •  I really like Piratization

      ...which was originally brought up elsewhere here.

      I also like "Social Security Phase Out". That is, I like the phrase, not the effort, :)

      by jbeach on Thu Jan 13, 2005 at 07:55:09 AM PDT

•  GOPpers are using "Strengthen SS"

  based on the ad from PFA.  This is troublesome because it was the phrase that I wanted to use.  Not sure if there is a bit of taking this term/phrase back to mean making changes but not privatization.  This is smart of them because it forces the Dems to either support no changes or ... well they can't say that their changes "strengthen SS".

  I would just keep referring to their plan as privatization - or "leveraged buyout".

  by LiberalBadger on Thu Jan 13, 2005 at 05:18:07 AM PDT

  •  Of course, they are saying

    in the ads that they are strengthening Social Security.  That's a great sell.  Their followers will believe it.  

    We just have to pound away at the destruction of Social Security.

    by Boppy on Thu Jan 13, 2005 at 05:24:44 AM PDT

•  Paul Krugman

  Actually Paul Krugmans latest shows that "Plan 2" or the Bush plan is not going to show a profit until we are invested for like 15 trillion dollars.  There might be something in that - were do we see a return? and talk about the actual price.  Its all there in the CBO report.

  by LiberalBadger on Thu Jan 13, 2005 at 05:20:27 AM PDT

•  and Gambling...

  Gambling with the Social Security System
  

  by wdrath on Thu Jan 13, 2005 at 06:17:53 AM PDT

•  Car Insurance Analogy

  Last night I asked a friend if he had written letters to his Senators and Congressman yet? He had and he told me the analogy he used in his letters. He compared private SS accounts to car insurance. He said it would be like deciding to cancel your car insurance and investing the premiums in a savings account. Then, if you are in a car accident, you could use the savings account to pay for the damages, possibly a large sum if you injured or killed someone. He said to me that most people would think, hell no, that is a terrible idea (cancelling your car insurance). I thought he had a great analogy, and I think the key is that it highlights that SS is INSURANCE, not an investment like Bush is saying.

  by jdld on Thu Jan 13, 2005 at 07:14:52 AM PDT