Folks we are doing it again! We are letting the angry deceptive right wing define our policy positions as extreme left wing Marxism. And the media is happy to comply.
Democrats are amazing at policy, but unbelievably bad at marketing ourselves and our ideas. Steve Gardner at “Born to Run the Numbers” has a perfect name for our agenda and our proposed policies. Instead of calling ourselves or letting others refer to us as Democratic Socialists, why not appropriate what we really are as Democrats: Progressive Capitalists.
He eloquently explains that we are beaten rhetorically before people ever hear our ideas. We need to coin our own terms to take control of the messaging.
“My discussion today is not about economics, it is about branding. Bernie Sanders may think that “Democratic Socialism” describes a more fair and more just economic philosophy, but as a branding platform, it is a disaster. It will repel the very people Democrats need to convince before they even consider the specific proposals being advanced.
The second reason for disposing of this branding device is actually more significant: “Democratic Socialism” is a misleading description of the economic policies that we need to put in place to correct our society and our economy.
”To be clear, Bernie is right about a lot of things. Despite a robust economy, we have what he would label a hyooooooge economic problem. Income equality and wealth inequality are creating a society in which the benefits of that economic vitality accrue to a smaller and smaller sliver of “haves,” and the vast majority of Americas feel very little benefit from economic growth. Rising tides no longer raise all boats.”
The article is great because it reinforces what we all know: Democrats win when we have a clear message that celebrates the smart tweaks the Democrats have made to make capitalism more humane and beneficial to a greater majority of America. “
Its a great article. Check it out!