DTD is Dominating the Discourse. This group examines the impact our terms and phrases have on the national debate. It is based on the premise that while we have our influential champions, such as George Lakoff and Drew Westen, the turns of phrase on the right have historically had the greater impact.
Republicans created the meme "Right to Work State" in the 1940's, yet we're just figuring out that the phraseology we use makes a difference? "Cat Food Commission". "Race to the Bottom". It's true that the Left has its moments - we just need more of them. Any and all ideas submitted to Dominating the Discourse will be evaluated for consideration in a published compendium of progressive terminology and phraseology.
'Busboys' is number 2 in the series.
'Astroturf' is the phenomenon of creating the illusion of a popular people's protest by those who are at the highest wealth and class levels of society. While 'astroturf' has earned a place in the popular lexicon as a clever meme, it is not without its drawbacks as a frame. Chief among the problems is that the term 'astroturf', used in this manner, is too detached from an emotional center, and tends to appeal more to the better educated as a clever turn of phrase - which, in turn, can actually alienate those who are not well educated.
I am proposing the terminology 'busboys', and advocating for its use as a double-edged sword - both referring to those the Koch brothers pay and/or bus in from faraway states, as well as referring to the Koch brothers, et al, themselves. 'Busboys' paints a clear picture of contrived social engineering which begs such questions as, "are busboys getting bought off just to protest?", and "why does the Tea Party need to import protestors in from South Carolina? - can't they find enough of them in Wisconsin?"
Busboys, while not an inherently demeaning term, is meant derisively in the context described here.
Associated memes include:
1 'Busboys' Charles and David Koch are likely the wealthiest people in New York City, and are well-known and documented to be leading figures in the War Against the Middle Class.
2 In answer to the question, "both sides use busses", a viable response presents itself. "Providing transportation to fire fighters in rural areas of Wisconsin to get the the Capitol is one thing. But that bears no resemblence to the Koch brothers' practice of organizing paid mercenaries and busboys from other states to meddle in Wisconsin politics." The emphasis here is the importation of protestors from well outside the geographical region that's affected. In this context, busboy are - quite correctly - labeled as foreign intruders.
3 Cross associations to 'busboys' include paid mercenaries and the Tea Party. I'm willing to ask the question about whether or not a busboy is a paid protestor for hire, and I think that would be a very valid question from any intellectually honest interviewer. As well, a mercenary protester busboy is often a member of the Tea Party, inviting association with the negative, inflamatory and sometimes racist posters and rhetoric the Tea Party historically is known to exhibit.