What do we do on a daily basis. Look at the recommended daires. We are following the headlines around, being led by our noses and the media, and
"justifying" our superiority as progressives, by calling out conservatives as blatant liars, criminals etc.
Okay so we see these truths as facts. But what is the context of those facts.
Are there progressive values reflected in your heated self righteous defense of the truth.
We tend to think that Headlines Can Stand Alone and offer our moral arguments for us. This is not the case.
In the last election facts were on our side, so why did we lose? We don't have a moral leg to stand on, so to speak. Why? In my opinion part of the culture wars in progress is the so called "left" needs to get a simple grip on its core values. And use those values as a integral part of every argument!
What do we stand for? We stand against torture, but why? We are for Social Security but why? We are for National Health care by Why?
I would like to ask that each of you when you make your arguments remember that, within each truth we see as being self evident we need to incorporate the progressive values that put that truth in context. This may seem vague and fruitless to some....... and there should be a healthy debate, about how we define our progressive values.
Conservatives are warring over their own values, yet they still know what they stand for, even though reality paints a different picture.
(Neo)conservatives define everything through the lens of freedom from tyranny. That is the core value you hear behind every defense of torture, war and American deaths. Their values are all about the "I". Me. Me. Me. Lift yourself up by your bootstraps, don't depend on anyone. Economic freedom for business with no regulation is the ultimate in freedom. Even though their every action seems counterproductive, they still can tell you what their core values are.
Progressives....... what do you stand for. I say it is about the "we". We as a diverse nation of people need to come together and herald progressive values, and make sure that the focal point of every alarming policy decision, and the belittling of our troops contains within it a seed of what our progressive values are.
Framing issues in terms of morals is a lose lose. Whomever opposes is therefore immoral. Whomever opposes fighting "evil" is therefore evil!
Framing values in terms of enshrining human dignity, fairness, what is ethical and what is for the common good. Always remembering that actions have consequences.
So I am jolting myself, and hopefully others to not just follow the headlines, and attack the negative but offer in each dairy, or argument a seed and a vision for what your progressive values to uphold the truth of your argument.
If anyone reads this, I would love to hear your contribution of what progressive values means to you.
Here is an example of what I am talking about that just galls me to pieces.
This Headline:
Democrats Hold Hearings to Put GOP on Offensive
the idea is to force Republicans to cast what would amount to a vote of confidence in Rumsfeld -- one of the architects of the increasingly unpopular war in Iraq -- before November's midterm elections, said a Democratic strategist close to the House.
Okay so you are following the news around.
This headline screams nothing about the integrity of Byron Dorgan holding hearings to try and SOLVE the problems in IRAQ or with the military. The VALUES incorporated in this piece are about political advantage and winning.
This is so wrong on so many levels!!! Byron Dorgan and now Walter "freedom fries" Jones, are offering Generals a chance to explain how the military can do better, how we can change strategy to help support the people of Iraq and our military. The American People have a common interest in having our military succeed and be strong, and to make sure that the money we are spending isn't wasted.
We need to stand and listen together with these Republican Generals and offer a voice that gives the military the opportunity to complete its mission. And that includes how to leave Iraq.
Are you getting my drift.
So please implant a progressive seed frame in every attack you make against Bush and the Republicans.
We need to offer an alternative, other than just negative reaction.
Bush bashing is too easy and unproductive. Ears close, and no rationale argument is heard.
Time to do the hard work of advancing our progressive values for change.