Please read and learn how the left REBRANDS and RELABELS their COMMUNIST IDEALS to gain support.

This article is from the Liberal, scumbag Website: THE OPPORTUNITY AGENDA

http://opportunityagenda.org/stuff_not_say

Along with the usual New Year’s resolutions about exercising, getting more sleep, and being more patient with the kids, progressives should add better communications to their list. We have an historic opportunity to frame the public debate this year in terms of social justice, human rights, and opportunity for all. But that requires being smarter and more deliberate in the way we talk about the nation’s priorities and future. At the very least, we need to stop using certain words and phrases that erode support for progressive values and policies. Here’s my list. I’ll ask for yours at the end of this post.

1. The Market. Building public support for a more fair economic system requires highlighting the fact that the economy is a set of human-made rules, systems, and structures, not an autonomous organism or an unbridled force of nature. Referring to bankers, CEOs, and other financial actors as "the market" obscures that reality, and reinforces the conservative notion that economic regulation is a hindrance rather than a crucial part of the rules that govern a just society. Instead, let’s clearly identify the people and institutions that are at work—for good or for ill—in our economic system. Instead of “regulating the free market,” let’s talk about “rules that hold banks accountable” or “consumer protections.”

2. Entitlements. When used to refer to safety-net protections, the term “entitlements” suggests handouts and dependency rather than a societal investment in shared prosperity and economic independence. It also obscures the tremendous subsidies and other benefits that corporations and the wealthy receive through other channels. Let’s instead call popular programs like Social Security and Medicare by name, while challenging “public service cuts,” and supporting “economic security policies.”

3. Felon. Activists around the country are doing inspiring work to create a more fair, effective, and equitable criminal justice system. To speed that work along, we should stop using the word "felon," which reduces the identity of people convicted of crimes to the worst thing they’ve ever done. Worse still is “felon disenfranchisement” (banning people with felony convictions from voting), which combines a negative word with an arcane one that means nothing to many people who might otherwise care about the issue. Instead of opposing "felon disenfranchisement," for example, we should uphold the “voting rights” of “people with felony convictions," "people emerging from prison," or “people who’ve paid their debt to society.” Let’s also drop “ex-offender.” And, while we’re at it, let’s stop using the word “criminal” as a noun too, for the same reasons.

4. Illegal. Terms like "illegal immigrant," "illegal alien," and, worst of all, “illegals” are dehumanizing as well as grammatically flawed—since people cannot be illegal. Conversely, talking about "legalization" and "getting right with the law" suggests, by implication, that those who lack authorization to live or work in the U.S. are inherently lawbreakers. We should instead talk about a “roadmap to citizenship” for "new Americans," “aspiring citizens,” and, when greater specificity is needed, “immigrant parents,” “workers,” or “students” who are "undocumented" or “lack authorization” to work in the U.S. To be sure, those phrases are more of a mouthful than “legal” and “illegal.” But reducing people’s lives and identities to one negative word undermines our values and goals.

5. Immigration Reform.Things that need “reforming” are bad, and the phrase “immigration reform” implicitly suggests that immigration—which is the age-old movement of people from one place to another, and a profound benefit to U.S. society—needs rectification. Let’s instead talk about improving our flawed “immigration policies,” creating a “roadmap to citizenship” for new Americans, and adopting “commonsense approaches that uphold our nation’s values and move us forward together.”

6. Gay Marriage. Terms like "gay marriage" and "same-sex marriage" suggest that we are debating a unique exception to "real” marriage. By instead calling for "marriage equality" and "the right to marry," we can make clear that we are promoting the same fundamental right for all people in loving relationships.

7. Level the Playing Field. This metaphor is intended to connote fairness, but it’s often misused by progressives. The purpose of institutions like public education and healthcare is not competition (as the “playing field” sports metaphor implies), but community, societal wellbeing and the common good. Instead, let’s talk about “expanding access,” “toppling obstacles,” and “ensuring equal opportunity.”

8. Judicial Activism. Conservatives coined this term to criticize landmark decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court like Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade, and Miranda v. Arizona that finally recognized long-ignored fundamental constitutional rights. But progressives now frequently use the term (sometimes earnestly, sometimes ironically) to criticize the current Supreme Court’s conservative rulings, many of which go out of their way to decide questions that were not even raised by the parties. We should call out these rulings as “judicial overreaching” that “tramples Americans’ constitutional rights” and, where appropriate, as “based on politics instead of the Constitution.” But let’s not reinforce the conservative “judicial activism” frame, or imply that it’s improper for courts to make momentous decisions that uphold the Constitution.

 

9. Work Hard and Play by the Rules. This phrase is a staple of Democratic candidates, and “tests well” with a range of demographic groups. But it’s always been flawed, suggesting that there are “good” Americans with a strong work ethic and respect for the law, alongside large numbers of “bad” Americans (and foreigners) who are lazy, dependent, and dishonest. Poor people and people of color are most frequently on the losing end of these negative implicit stereotypes. Indeed, President Bill Clinton coined the term largely to distance himself from issues of poverty and inequity, and used it in enacting welfare reform. President Obama has helpfully shifted to calling for a country in which “everyone plays by the same rules – from Main Street to Wall Street to Washington, DC,” and where everyone “has a fair shot.” That’s a verbal step in the right direction.

10. Responsible Homeowners.  Misconduct by banks and inadequate consumer protections pushed our economy to the brink of collapse and continue to cost millions of American families their homes. But President Obama and others continue to respond, rhetorically, by calling for aid to “responsible homeowners.” That phrasing buys into the conservative narrative that reckless, irresponsible homeowners were a major cause of the meltdown, and that reforms should rigorously benefit only those with “clean hands.” That conservative narrative, in turn, undermines support for the very policies—like adjusting mortgage principal to fair market value—that the President and progressive allies are promoting. Dropping the loaded word “responsible,” and promoting initiatives that enable “homeowners,” “families” and “communities” harmed by the crisis to get back on track, will make it easier to see those initiatives enacted.

I’m taking nominations for other phrases to retire in 2013. Post your ideas in the comment section, and I’ll publish the top picks in a future blog. Until then, let’s all watch our mouths!

Photo courtesy of Gustavo Devito

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Comments

  • After reading the above article, it's no wonder why liar....ahhh....lawyer politicians are such good liars.

  • Illegal & Immigration Reform: Do you remember that in 1986 President Ronald Reagan proposed and Congress approved the Immigration Reform and Control Act? That legislation was supposed to solve the immigration crisis once and for all. It granted amnesty to nearly 3 million “undocumented workers” then living in this country. We were told this would set them on the path to becoming law-abiding, English-speaking, taxpaying citizens.
    We were also assured that the flood of illegal immigration into this country would be stopped. Congress subsequently approved legislation to build a massive wall along the U.S.-Mexican border and to hire thousands of additional agents for the Border Patrol.
    None of this happened. Not a single thing we were promised 27 years ago came true.
    Instead, the flood of illegal aliens into this country became a tsunami. Where we once had 3 million or 4 million illegal aliens, we’re now told the correct number is more than 11 million — several times higher than we faced in 1986, when we allegedly solved this problem “once and for all.” It’s enough to overwhelm our schools, our hospitals, our prisons and our law enforcement officials wherever illegal aliens settle in any significant numbers.
    This is not immigration.It’s an invasion. And we need to deal with it as such. This is not just my opinion. It is what our Constitution says.
    Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution clearly states, 
    “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion…”
    Right now, there are estimated 11 million illegal aliens that have INVADED our borders. Lets call it what it is and quit the "propaganda". Practically all of them came here by crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. More are entering every day. The Constitution does not specify a military invasion or the use of arms. No, it simply says “invasion.” And if that is not what we are facing, what is?
    Faced with such an invasion, we must start demanding a response ? There is only one action our government must take. We must secure our borders.
    The United States Constitution REQUIRES It ! ! !
    Yes, it is time for Congress to act. It’s way past time, in fact. Stopblathering about an omnibus immigration bill that tries to be all things to all people. We must demand that Congress pass and the President enforce legislation that will stop the invasion — nothing less and nothing more for now.

    In addition, we must tell the government of Mexico that we require its cooperation in halting the tidal wave of their "INVASION" of illegal immigration pouring out of their country — a tidal wave that they has been actively encouraging. That must stop NOW. This is not a request; this is a condition for our continuing friendship.
    We must also warn the people of Mexico (and their friends, family and allies in our country) that the United States is going to enforce its laws. Make it clear that we will no longer look the other way or compromise on enforcing our rules and regulations. There will be no way across the border except legally.
    And most important of all: We must demand that our government do whatever needs to be done to secure our borders. No more excuses. No more delays. The time to act is now.
    Please send this message to you State elected officials and BOTH of your US Senators and ALL of the Members of the HOUSE of Representative.in Congress from you State.
     http://www.contactingthecongress.org/

    Level the Playing Field = as long as we own the gate, seats, all the balls, bats, uniforms, the field and the referees(how the left see "level the playing field")

    Entitlements = allowance
    '

    immigration.it - immigration Resources and Information.
    immigration.it is your first and best source for all of the information you’re looking for. From general topics to more of what you would expect to f…
  • Why do I continue to be surprised?

  • "How strangely will the Tools of a Tyrant pervert the plain Meaning of Words!" Samuel Adams

  • Specifically, Lenin's Dialectical Materialism is a major tool of influence peddling through language manipulation. We in the TEA Party should be aware of its use against us. See:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectic_materialism

     

  • Thanks David, the TEA Party needs to watch y[our] mouth[s]. 

    Language manipulation is a fine art of the left and has been so since Marx published the Communist Manifesto in 1848. One of the first words they stole was "liberal" which meant at the time one who championed individual liberty. All our Founders were correctly seen as "liberals" then. And, there is NOTHING LIBERAL ABOUT THE LEFT using that meaning of the term.

    The Whig party, which had successfully championed the abolition of slavery throughout the British Commonwealth, were rightfully called liberals for that effort. But they also championed trade unions using the illiberal (i.e. authoritarian) practice of employee strikes. Those employees who would not join the strike were called "scabs" and were all defamed, many assaulted and and some murdered. There is nothing "liberal" about strikes. Rather strikes are coercive bullying backed up through the threat of violence directed mostly to fellow employees who don't want to strike. (Marx and Lenin adored unions and their strikes in capitalist nations, but advocated harsh and fast suppression of unions in communist governments.)

    But my point is that the Whigs captured the name "liberal" to identify their party's advocacy of the  "labour movement", while opposition to the old definition of "liberal" namely "authoritarian" was retained in the public understanding. Hence, the emerging Marxist intellectual establishment of that day changed the perception of those who wanted freedom from union coercion of being coercive themselves. So since the 1840's in the public understanding anyone who opposes union intimidation is an authoritarian. When present day leftists (namely the media) use the word "conservative" they imply the authoritarian description. Unfortunately, much of generation X and virtually all of generation "Y" buys into the the identity of "conservatives" as being the authoritarian and coercive element in society, whereas baby boomers and older see "conservatives" as being the champions of liberty. That is why Republican candidates win primaries campaigning as "conservatives" (among boomers who may have one election cycle left before they no longer comprise a majority) but lose the general elections (among Gen X,Y and independent voters) under the same identity.

    The left has over 160 years of applied experience in the art of language debasement. The right must not mimic the practice. Barry Goldwater Senior made the word "conservative" respectable to many in his generation - but today it is a term that is no longer definable. I suggest that people on the right base the identity of their political values on the U.S. Constitution i.e "constitutional". That way we have a standard by which to be measured - not perfect, but better than a name which the media equates with everyone from John McCain to David Duke (neither of which are perceived to be champions of individual liberty).

    We, on the right, need to define our terms and defend the definitions among our circle of influence.

  • I have a great suggestion , lets just call things what they are , and let the chips fall where they may .  There is nothing mysterious about this behavior , it is just as simple as speaking with HONOR , INTEGRITY , and MORALITY . When you use words to obfuscate the truth ( depends on what the meaning of " is " is ) you are nothing more than a flat out liar .  As should be obvious by now , there are NO demonrats ( democrats ) with any honor , integrity nor morality , this , of course includes our demonrat mainstream media that actually lie to the public and go out of their way to hide the truth , (  Like Obamass communist upbringing and connections through out his entire life .

  • Communist have historical change names on everything, but is the same dog with a different collar.

  • at least their are some of us plane english speaking americans left out here who do not cower to a twist of words, washington double talk, and just plain bull shit. obama is a socialist marxist, illegals are breaking the law, and draing our economy, the obama free phoners, are sucking us dry with our tax money, while sitting on their asses, the politicians are robbing us blind, obamacare sucks, gays and other faggots are disgusting, islamic religions are terrorists...and whats left of america and the united states is a tragedy.

  • The USA as a consumer society is always influenced by the marketing madness sprayed over the cables channels as well as the internet marketing sites.  Each level of marketing manipulation conveys fascinating illustrations with imbedded statistics portraying a perception analysis to "sell" the illogical and distasteful brand as a problem for America.  Along with all the captivating stories the marketing madness portrays the situation as a direct attack on various segments of the society to gain momentum as the population views the news stories.  Then along with the appealing tales, the political arena is constantly hammering the nation with a “blame game” to attempt to thrill those who did not initially agree with the deceitful marketing sagas.

    The “radical left” has always employed a deceitful tale as they turn the truth into a deception mix to gain the upper hand.  When confronted with the truth, the “radical left” then jumps into a different deception by enclosing the original deceptive tale in a race or class warfare position.  Utilizing a surge of emotion, the “radical left” then maneuvers the tale into a victim stance where they proclaim that the opponents are being biased because the opponent wishes to “rule” over others.  It is easy to see why the “radical left” can gain so many followers, because they first create the chaotic damage affecting the weak to easily influence the distressed.  By shouting the loudest, the “radical left” effortlessly inflame those who are distraught because those citizens have nothing else to shout about.

    The only way to overcome the “radical left” is to establish a single “truth” about the issues and to hammer that truth in all channels to the public.  When the left begins to shout, the truth should be elevated to the same level.  When the left tries to produce more smoke, the truth should be elevated above that smoke screen.  We cannot permit the left to divide us or we will never overcome their relabeling and rebranding the issues through deceit.  

    United we will stand, but if divided we will fail.

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