Words Matter and the Moral High Ground
Kitchen table issues are things everyone worries about regularly while they are sitting together at the kitchen table. This is why they are called 'kitchen table' issues. Some common ones include getting laid off. Having something go wrong with your health. Making ends meet. Raising the kids right. Being a good parent/grandparent.
And, yes, I'm quite aware there are many other issues different people worry about, and I worry about them, too.
But if we want to recapture the 33 state legislatures, 32 governorships and the entire federal government, all now under GOP control, we've got to start winning elections.
What this means to all of us is that we need to focus on, and talk about, kitchen table issues articulately, compellingly, and in a way that attracts the millions of Independent voters who either voted for Trump or didn't vote at all. Because they worry every day about these kitchen table issues, just like you and I do.
Anyway, HOW we talk about them matters. Here's a couple of changes I suggest:
1. When we speak of the Republican repeal of Obamacare, we need to call the new Republican legislation 'the Deathcare law.'
2. Instead of saying we want 'single payer,' which only 44% of Americans polled respond to positively, we need to say, 'Medicare for all Americans.
3. When some sniveling, smug little GOP punk says, "Well, we need to cut ENTITLEMENTS," we need to respond with, "Oh, you mean EARNED BENEFITS if you're talking about Social Security and Medicare - I have paid into those for X years (over 40 in my case) and I've EARNED those. Bad idea to cut them because that amounts to STEALING from me.
4. Next time a Republican talks about 'Job Killin' Regulashuns,' come back with, "Oh, you mean the life saving guidelines that keep our air and water clean and us safe! Yes, those are very important. For example (have a story about how you or someone else benefited from a regulation - my example is the Martinez family dying when their dream home in Firestone, CO blew up due to an uncapped methane line, and how the Republicans in the state legislature killed a bill that would require companies to map these pipelines).
5. If someone says that government programs create 'dependency,' come back with, "Oh, you mean the programs that are funded by OUR tax dollars that WE pay in, and actually make our lives better? Things like good public schools, state colleges and universities, firefighters and police? Is that what you mean? Because I'm for sure dependent on good roads and clean water!"
6. If someone comes out against government workers who are losing their pensions, and says, "Hey, join the crowd, you're not special," reframe with, "Gosh those workers had pensions and they worked hard contributing to them. How come we don't have pensions? Why don't we try and get pensions for ourselves as well as helping them save their pensions? Let's help each other!"
Remember, folks, we have to fight HARD and we have to OWN our positions, whether it's gay marriage, social justice, voting rights or whatever, but we MUST talk regularly about kitchen table issues.
As to the moral high ground, we OWN IT. The GOP sure doesn't. They want to make our lives worse by stripping the treasury of money to give to corporations.
Medicare for all is a MORAL ISSUE
Keeping Social Security strong is a MORAL ISSUE
Keeping Americans safe with reasonable regulations is a MORAL ISSUE
The rights, safety and livable wages of American workers are MORAL ISSUES
Own them. We ARE on the high ground, but we need to be aggressive in battling this bullshit.
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By the way, the new Fox talking points: "Well, there WAS collusion between Trump and the Russians, but how is that a crime?"
It's FUCKING TREASON, THAT'S HOW! Put your Senators and Representative on speed dial. Don't let up a minute. And don't listen to the wusses who tell us not to 'stress' Russia because people are tired of it. It is TREASON. We need to focus with single minded intensity on a) finding out the extent of it, b) bringing the American perps to justice, and c) making sure massive cyber attacks and sophisticated psychological warfare doesn't influence any more American elections. Are we Americans or not?
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Gun ownership and gun safety are MORAL ISSUES.
Nobody is entitled to owning a gun, they must demonstrate they have the intelligence and fortitude to own one and keep it safe.
If they can't keep it locked up, away from irresponsible people (and children) then they forfeit the gun.
But I agree with everything on your list - well done!
I love Medicare for all Americans and I'll use that from now on.
Thanks
