So we had an Obamafest here on dKos. Obama laid out the DLC position as beautifully and elegantly as it could be laid out. And then, once the rhetorical glitter had been brushed aside and people had a moment to think, it became amply clear that the Democratic party
has no leadership, Obama included.
Armando pointed it out. RenaRF pointed it out. And TocqueDeVille pointed it out, perhaps best of all. And this failure to lead couldn't be clearer in view of the Democrats' failure to rhetorically and politically capitalize on what has been an apocalyptically bad week for the GOP leadership.
Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your point of view), this in turn has led to more navel-gazing about What the Democratic Party Stands For. Here we go again--and let's mean it this time.
In an attempt to discover the tried-and-true Democratic equivalent of the GOP "Big Military, Smaller Government, Low Taxes, and Family Values" bullshit canard, we have seen several well-intentioned attempts. These attempts have tried to remain as vague as possible while sounding as generically positive as possible.
One of these was Hunter's recent diary dictating the slogan "Strong Families, Strong Community, Strong Nation." A nice attempt, but the instantly obvious response could be, "Sure...why not? And let's add rainbows, sunshine and fuzzy bunnies while we're at it!" How exactly does this describe Democrats in particular? In fact, how does it describe anything?
A few months back we had George Lakoff giving us "Stronger America, broad prosperity, better future, effective government and mutual responsibility." Whatever those mean. Honestly--that's the best the FrameMaster can do?
You all want to know the problem we have here? We rip the DLC drones and even liberal wunderkinds like Obama new a***oles for playing at being Republican-Lite in their votes and policies. We stand with Armando in calling for the Politics of Contrast. And then when we try to define what we actually believe in, we the best and brightest of the Progressive Community on the world's Biggest Blog, what do we have to offer?
More Republican-Lite. More Politics of Vague Squishiness. And meaningless, poll-tested, generic phrases like "Strong Families" and "Better Future" that do absolutely nothing to distinguish us from our GOP counterparts.
Well I for one am sick and goddamn tired of Republican-Lite sloganeering and frames designed to blur, rather than define, the contrast between our two parties.
And instead of waiting for the Obamas, Kerrys, Clintons, or even the Feingolds and Boxers of the world to decide what the hell they actually want to stand for, it's time for us to do it for them. Because you know the old saying--lead, follow, or get out of the way. Well, folks, it's time for us to lead.
In that light, I give you MY slogans for the Democratic party to rival the GOP's "big military, smaller government, lower taxes, and family values." These are slogans NO Republican would DARE touch (well, maybe besides Man-on-Dog Santorum, but I rest my case), but that Middle America can rally behind. And they actually mean something.
1. Equal opportunity. With emphasis on the word EQUAL. This includes fairness, affirmative action, social safety net support, labor rights, women's workplace rights, and all the rest. It means giving everyone an EQUAL chance at the American Dream. It's actionable, and it means something--economically and socially.
2. The Common Good/The Public Good. This includes the environment, the deficit, and everything else the Public holds in Common, that the GOP has tried to destroy. Like levees, for instance. And the American public is ready to hear this message in the wake of Katrina as never before. Emphasizing this aspect of life and politics is acctionable. It is also a strong contrast to the profiteering, corrupt, and oligarchic GOP.
3. Right to Privacy. At heart, America is somewhat libertarian, and we don't like having big government or big business run our lives. Clint Eastwood, Bruce Willis and Harrison Ford are our movie heroes. And in today's America, the libertarian votes should belong to US. This slogan should also excite our base. The right to privacy includes issues of spying (Patriot Act). It includes abortion rights. It includes gay rights. It includes gun ownership rights (sadly, as I am in favor of gun control, but you win some and you lose some, and that fight is basically over.)
And no one in the GOP dares touch this with a 100-foot pole.
4. Respected Abroad. Right now we have a paper tiger of a military--sandtrapped in Iraq and unable to provide basic care to our own in times of disaster. We are viewed as a helpless giant, laughed at by our enemies. And we have no friends left. It's time to get our Respect back. R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
This is more important and more meaningful than "National Security" or "Stronger America", and it's a direct counter to the GOP big military philosophy. "Respected Abroad" means exactly that--Feared by our Enemies, and Repected and Admired by our Friends. Qute the opposite of what this GOP has accomplished, and a necessary diversion from current policy.
5. Accountable Government. We don't need Smaller Government--we've all seen what happens when the government isn't there--right, Brownie? Right, Mr. Norquist? Well, Middle America sees it, too.
And by the way, Middle America didn't exactly miss a few names like Tom Delay, Bill Frist, and Karl Rove this past week.
Seems to me that we could all use some ACCOUNTABLE government around here--which, of course, is the last thing you're going to see a Republican calling for these days.
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How about it, Kossacks? What do you think?