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« Thursday « March 24, 2005
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Book 4 (of 50): don't think of an elephant!
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don't think of an elephant! The sub-title to this brief collection says it all: know your values and frame the debate. Far from being "compassionate," the conservatives who now control the United States -- and who are really just a small elite in number -- have gained this power by getting poor and middle-class people to vote against their own economic and social interests.
How do they do it? They use language that appeals, in fundamentally dishonest but extremely effective ways, to people's deeply held, perhaps even subconscious, moral values. Until progressives, whose values truly reflect what America's ideal is all about, learn how to "reframe" political discourse, not use the enemy's terms, and appeal, honestly, to people's values, we're in for ugly, mean-spirited times.
The conservative agenda uses the language of family and compassion, but it's false, because at its core, theirs is an essentially sociopathic, and somewhat fascist agenda that's really about giving free reign to corporations to plunder the planet in search of massive profits for a small cabal of people, and the control and suppression of the many by a hand-selected few. The fact that their language is basically well-crafted double talk exposes their weakness; they can be defeated with ideas and strategy.
This book is a great intro for learning to think about how to develop and express ideas that can help us turn things around. We need to get back to a country that offers fairness, freedom and opportunity for everyone. Those are essential American values. Not fear-mongering, turning your back on those in need, and handing out favors to the rich, while denying support to everyone else. It will be a long, hard fight. Dress appropriately.
NOTE: This is the fourth book in my quest to read at least 50 this year; I'm falling off the pace due to other commitments, but I will get there by the end of 2005!
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