How can we message most effectively to the non-regressive cats?
We could try to be long-winded, specific and use as many accurate poly-syllabic terms as possible to convey clarity. That would be one idea. Taking a cue from Regressives and yelling "Danger!, Run! or Fight!" would be another. The latter idea seems more effective and the one that I'll be promoting.
Whether you prefer to think of the term "cats" as being felines who generally don't migrate in lockstep or as humans who are too cool to do what the others are doing, one thing is true. Cats, when faced with mortal immediacy can move, together, pretty quickly.
This ability and interest in pooling resources only happens once these cats realize they are in mortal danger. Regressives are that threat for the cats of any other ideology. How can we get these cats to realize it?
We can try to appeal to their minds, but in today's soundbite world, we're best off speaking to their guts. This requires a greater thought process on our side as it means distilling down our nuanced, thoughtful ideas, to their basic essences. We need to "unshell the peanuts of our ideas", if you will excuse the metaphor. We need to only offer the the most easily palatable version of our arguments.
A few ideas below the fold...
So far this year the two most resonant progressive causes have been the "War on Women" and "The 99%". Are these mutually exclusive? Not really, but they haven't been promoted as related. How about calling the Regressives' assualt on us all as their "War on Life" ? It speaks to both aforementioned concepts as well as a number of others. Another way to say this is to call them "The Party of Death".
Whether it is health care, foreign policy, energy, environment, budget discussion, etc. The Regressive solution is that some(preferably not real regressives) will die.
Not only that, but to do otherwise is a limit on "Freedom". How have we allowed them to pervert one of the founding principles of this country into such a twisted notion? Can we take that word back? Instead of saying that we are "Pro-Choice", wouldn't it be more accurate to say that we are "Pro-Freedom"? I would posit that a larger swath of mainstream America would be swayed to, at least, examine the issue a bit closer when it sounds like they may be against freedom. "Choice" is a nuanced and thoughtful word, but it can be dismissed as it is not thought of as inalienible. "Freedom" is(in theory) inalienable.
How much more loaded is the term "Obamacare" as opposed to "Americare" ? Wouldn't the latter force more people to think about the merits of the legislation as opposed to outright dismissal due to it's name?
The "Affordable Care Act" seems loaded as well. "Affordable" is a relative term. What is "affordable" to goverment legislators, executives and judiciary are not necessarily so for the rest of us. How about calling it the "American Families Health Act"? This conveys the necessity of the legislation without giving as much pause and sketicism to it's goal. The "Individual Mandate" could become the "No Freeloaders Clause". Can you really see Regressives trying to fight that?
How can we most effectively promote the message that regressives have two main interests: 1 For you to die and 2 To profit off of your death? Admittedly, that is not always their order of preference. We need to be able to soundbite what makes them so bad as well as what makes the alternative so good.
Moving forward, we need to be ahead of the attacks. I'm trying to think of a "three word elevator pitch" or "bumper sticker phrase" for the upcoming election. How about: Obama 2012: Redeem the Dream? It attempts to appeal to the immigrant communities(as per the DREAM act), minorities(as per Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech) and the rest of the 99% more generally as "The American Dream". Also, it references 2008's "Hope" and "Change", by validating the hope by realizing change.
Questions? Comments? Concerns?
All thoughts and ideas are welcome...