It was several months ago when the commandant of the republican party opined after the recent election that their image needed re-branding.
Over the course of these eleven months since that election which saw the reelection of President Obama, the republican party has obviously worked very hard to rebrand itself, and this weekend, in front of the White House, the "new" message of the Party came into razor wire- sharp focus. However, since the party itself is evidently starved for cash to expend on advertising collateral after having purchased a Supreme Court, 2/5ths of the Senate and 120% of the House of Representatives, their public image is somewhat outdated and, as usual, their sense of historical facts is, to put it delicately, a bit thin on the top.
The use of the naval ensign of the confederate states of America to represent their grievances at the White House this weekend went beyond poor taste - it also violated one of the key rules of advertising: "make your brand image represent your values and be current with the times". Good heavens! That flag is over 130 years old! By contrast, Pepsi Cola has changed the design of its bottles almost a dozen times since it incorporated in 1898. Their logo has undergone equal treatment, and its brand has been evolving ever since.
So how do you go about rebranding an identity equal to the current republican party and its conservative cabal of dittohead drones? What symbolizes their values today? What makes them current? What could represent their position of non-violent demonstrations while violently opposing legal restrictions on the private ownership of weapons of mass destruction? What could symbolize mass punitive limitations on voting rights for people of color and the young? How would you depict their position on denying food and medical assistance for the poor, unemployed and infirm, opting instead to "privatize" assistance in order to provide additional revenue sources for their corporate sponsors? What would represent their advocacy for instigating preemptive wars and the torture of civilians they arbitrarily designate as "enemy combatants"? How do you symbolize a nationalistic neocon political coup attempt to disrupt and undo the efforts of a 310 year-old country in its pursuit of civilized growth and in the process, endanger the entire global economy? (hint: if all this sounds suspiciously like the events of a certain European country between 1930 and 1939, you'd be correct.)
Well, as in all things conservative, one has to carefully consider history and the priceless heritage of ancestors as well as the values that are historically shared with like-minded visionaries. Such a brand should be fresh and eye-catching while honoring its past in announcing an unmistakeable declaration of the values that the party embrace. So as an ex-graphic designer, I offer in the overfold an updated 21st century version of the venerated Stars and Bars.
Please: I want no money or honoraria from the party in exchange for my new design for this republican re-branding effort. Instead consider it a gift, given with all the respect and admiration due them...
The 21st Century Version of the Stars and Bars