FRAME SOCIAL SECURITY

I am very alarmed that BlogPAC, in its effort to combat destruction of Social Security, has once again played into the hands of the Republicans in creating a weak motto like "There is no crisis."

This is absolutely the wrong path to be taking. And it is absolutely what the enemy wants us to do.

Parker from MyDD elablorates upon the fact that we must frame the debate on Social Security, not merely disgaree with it. The sole reason the Republicans have been so successful in selling the war, the tax cuts, the assaults on Medicare and American freedom is because they frame the issues into their own point of view.

To combat an issue that has successfully been portrayed in the mindset of the opposition is incredibly difficult. In short, it alters the public's perception and understanding of an issue--a case in point is Bush's proclamation that Muslims "hate freedom" and so must be destroyed. Such a phrase quickly frames the debate onto the side of the warmongers, no matter how wrong they are.

Bush's scheme to privatize Social Security is nothing more than a stock market gamble. We MUST frame it this way, as Parker has, and as I will show.

To successfully do this, we first need a punctual, powerful catchphrase which we can repeat over and over again to reinforce our position on Social Security, to cast the issue into a Democratic mold.

Here are some ideas for doing so:

"Social Security is not a stock option."

"Don't gamble with our Social Security."

"Republicans. Gambling with Social Security."

"Don't let Republican schemes steal your Social Security."

"The Republican scheme: Gambling with your child's future."

"Your retirement is not a game."

Post your ideas here.

I will also follow up with additional commentary on how we may contintue to claim Social Security for ourselves.

Remember, it's about framing. Everything MUST be seen from a Democratic point of view.