Cruz is a strategy

[Saviolo]

I was reading n2doc's roundup of political cartoons here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=journals&uid=139285

(BTW: Thanks n2doc, I love reading those every day!)

and saw this one:


and realized that this is part of the plan. The right in the USA (and to a lesser extent here in Canada) have been framing the dialogue SO FAR TO THE RIGHT that they can still take an extremely hard-right stance and claim moderation and compromise. Cruz is a boon to far-right candidates who can say, "Well, at least we're not THAT crazy."

This has 100% been the strategy of the right wing. Take an extreme right wing position, and then back up from it just a little and call it compromise, and call that new position moderate or centrist. This is what is dragging the discourse so far to the right.

So let's counter that. We can say that over $1million in annual income will invoke a 75% tax rate, and over $10million will invoke a 100% tax rate. No? To far to the left? Okay, we'll compromise and say that over $1million will only be 65% and over $10million will only be 85%. See how moderate and centrist that is? We backed up a whole 15% on that second one.

[cyberswede]

1. I thought the same thing when I saw that cartoon. nt

[Trillo]

2. Progressive income taxes.

Another method of dealing with financial inequality.

Will a 85% income tax be enough to offset all the flat taxes and fees and fines loaded on by various local entities?

[anotojefiremnesuka]

3. Yup when a thirsty person is offered nothing but dirty water to drink

The least dirty water will be the one you choose

[SoLeftIAmRight]

4. like the force of gravity

their pull to the right never stops

[Saviolo]

5. It is rapidly becoming

The New Normal (much as I hate that phrase).

The discourse is so broken because of those people out there on the far right screaming that their viewpoint is 100% valid, even though it isn't even rational.

[Roland99]

7. Time for a four-wheel alignment!

[grasswire]

6. agreed

too bad the MSM falls for it

[Saviolo]

8. Another strategy

The MSM isn't just falling for it, their bosses are actively complicit. Murdoch is a super right wing booster, and he's actively dragging the discourse to the right.

Jon Stewart mentioned it when he destroyed Crossfire:

[NightWatcher]

9. If the Tea Baggers don't act 'tea baggy' enough they'll be replaced by one who will

I think that this is all pandering to a small minority for their votes in heavily gerrymandered districts where it is a given that a republican will win, but how big of a nut is to be determined by how nutty the incumbents are willing to act.

Ted doesn't think that he'll win the White House. He does think that this will cement his name in the ranks of the tea baggers that are above reproach in Tea Baggerville (aka Red Texas). He'll also use his campaign to funnel a few million into his own bank account (probably by using his wife's position in the campaign, or over reimbursing himself).

I doubt this is an organized approach to make the right look less right simply by being slightly left of Cruz.

[TheKentuckian]

10. American politics all around has devolved into a framing game to make the country and

the world more regressive, dominated by wealth, and feudal.

They play their games and we play ours but they all are about shoving the Overton Window as far right as possible by hook or crook.

[Saviolo]

11. Had to look that up!

What an incredibly handy concept! I will be using that in the future, for sure.

Thanks!!

[TheKentuckian]

13. ;-)

[Faryn Balyncd]

12. The RW strategy has been to drag the Overton Window so far right that NPR peddles RW memes under the

....false label of "liberalism".




https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overton_window