Boil down democrat and/or left message to 4-6 talking points

[yurbud]

This is one thing the right has done extremely well and then had their echo chamber repeat them ad nauseum until they became the conventional wisdom:

cut taxes
deregulate
privatize
blame non-whites
buy & use military toys

The democrats seem almost genetically incapable of this kind of clarity, even those who are doing the right thing have trouble boiling it down.

The only one who has come close is Howard Dean. When he was running, I remember him saying their were a couple of things 95% of Americans could agree on:

good schools
access to good health care
good jobs
safety (from crime and foreign sources)


I think those are a good start, though I might tinker with them a bit and add one or two:

clean energy we don't have to kill for
fair taxes (inheritance and capital gains pay at same rate or more as income)
foreign policy that reflects our values, not the interests of oil companies, sweatshops, and plantation owners.
Corporations should obey the law, not pay pols to change it.


Any additions or amendments?

Whenever a democrat speaks, this should be the first thing out of their mouth, so it sticks in people's heads that this is what we stand for.

Of course the major obstacle to a clear message is divide loyalties (corporations and actual people) but that's a different issue.

Hillbilly Hitler art:



Blog:

[H5N1]

1. A verifiable vote

You are right, we need to get our talking points down.

[cpamomfromtexas]

8. Fix our problems FIRST

Including if you offshore your business to avoid taxes, you and all your heirs lose citizenship. (this should apply to all top employees of the company).

Why don't the ultra wealthy understand that they of all people benefit the most from living in a relatively stable environment (for now). They benefit the most because they don't wake up in the morning worrying about tanks in their front yards!

And while I'm on a roll, why don't the ultra wealthy ever do anything without their name plastered on it. Ever heard of doing charitable things in private?

[yurbud]

10. If the tank is in the yard, the gun will be pointed OUT at us.

They are benefiting.





Hillbilly Hitler art:



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[noamnety]

2. accountability & human rights?

environmental accountability (you break it, you fix it)
budget accountability (don't spend what you don't have)
accountability to our veterans (if they risk their life for the country, don't leave them in the gutter)

basic human rights (health care for all - not just the rich, privacy, living wages)

[sojourner]

3. check this out...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=106&topic_id=16849

Don't let the clunky name get to you. It's a start at exactly what you are trying to do. Good luck! (This is seeming like a non-starter...no traction on DU :shrug: )

:patriot:

[yurbud]

5. It's probably AS crucial as working on specific issues

The one area where dems don't even touch the GOP is communication.

If you don't know the background on an issue, you often have no idea what a dem is talking about, and they don't give you a good summation up front.

If this issue doesn't get traction, we don't get traction.

Hillbilly Hitler art:



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[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. Here's my four.

1. Out of Iraq now.
2. Socialized health care for all. ("Universal Health Care" if you prefer.
3. Publicly funded national elections with no advertising. Candidates (from ALL parties) will be allowed free air time to present their case.
4. Immediate inclusion in the Kyoto Treaty and the ICC.

Many more but it's a start. Ain't holding my breath for our "leaders" to miraculously grow spines and become ethical rather than fundraisers.

[yurbud]

9. public funding of elections without commercials is good.

Force candidates to actually debate, and include all parties.

Take debates and forums out of the hands of the parties and make it independent.

One debate should be like Moveon and a couple of others do where the public would submit and rank questions.

Every public statement should be fact-checked, and the candidate presented with their errors at their next appearance.

That last bit alone would keep any Bushes from growing near the White House for a while.

Hillbilly Hitler art:



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[Mythsaje]

6. How about an even dozen?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4058552

[sojourner]

7. what the hell is up with people?

all talk and no action? no desire to think through and contribute to a strategy for winning? do they not see how critical our communication is to getting our message across? do they even care? I'm starting to get pissed!!!!!!!!!

maybe Bush and Co aren't really the threat I thought, but more a distraction for the "extremely bored at work", just something to bitch and moan or crack wise about. no wonder we can't get anywhere with verified voting, getting dems in congress to address our concerns.

I think my head IS going to explode. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Mythsaje]

11. We'll just keep pounding the drum...

I'll keep posting the "Oath" and my "Talking Points" at least once a week. If you like, you can do the same. :evilgrin:

Eventually people may start to catch on. Or at least bother to comment on it.

[yurbud]

12. it's a skill not every one has; some can only think in the box, some

can think outside it, but few can draw the box.

That's why so many of us are drawn to Howard Dean. It's not that we entirely agree with him, but he says things simply, and it seems like he means it.


Hillbilly Hitler art:



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[Mythsaje]

13. Agreed

on the Howard Dean thing.

As far as thinking outside the box goes...it's INSIDE the box I have problems with. Outside the box is where I live.