Framing the GOP

by Parker Blackman
March 14, 2005

We all know that the current leaders of the Republican party—be it President Bush, Tom Delay or Bill Frist – represent the extreme right wing of their party. But most of America doesn’t see them that way, because nobody has successfully framed them as such. It's time we start calling them what they are—irresponsible, reckless, extreme and radical. These are four adjectives that most accurately describe their agenda. More important still, these adjectives imply un-American values and speak to a flaw in their collective character.

This group of leaders is endangering our country's safety, our children’s future, our health and other things we hold close to our hearts. Most Americans are moderate in their views; extremism on either side of the political spectrum makes them uncomfortable. Reckless behavior makes them very uncomfortable. Americans would rather that their leaders be conservative in the true sense of the word. The majority of Americans don’t want Social Security dismantled. They don’t want us to fight an endless war in Iraq with more of their sons and daughters maimed or killed. They don’t want their air polluted and their water poisoned, and they don’t want their public school system destroyed.

Most Americans think of themselves as living responsibly, looking out for their children’s future and making good choices that will provide stability in their careers. Many of us give back to society, whether it’s at church, at school or through volunteering and charity work. If we frame the Republican leadership as extreme and reckless, we are painting a picture that contradicts how people behave in their own lives—and what they expect from their leaders.

This frame can be applied to any issue—health care, Iraq, Social Security, oil drilling in the Arctic—thereby allowing all progressive interest groups to repeat a singular theme as it applies to their particular issue.

Continued @ http://www.tompaine.com/articles/framing_the_gop.php

IRER-new acronym for busholini's publicanism.

....social security is irresponsible, reckless, extreme and radical!

The immunity granted to Tom DeLay's congressional abuses of power by the republican majority in congress is irresponsible, reckless, extreme and radical!

Bill Frist's position on Medicare, Medicaid and social security reform, being a former medical doctor himself is irresponsible, reckless, extreme and radical!

That works for me.

I would simplify it to simply self-serving. Professional politicians are driven to achieve power, influence, and financial rewards. It takes very little time once part of the system to distort their viewpoint and cause them to do whatever is needed to maintain that position. Most people already believe that politicians are bought and paid for, just inform them of the resources they now have to see who's paying the bill.( opensecrets.org, fundrace.org, FEC ) and what they vote for and against ( thomas.loc.gov ). Anyone who cares enough and has the time will welcome the information. Those who don't have the time, energy, or interest are most likely a lost cause. If I had the same information available back in the 60's, I would have been more politically active. I think the number of people out there who believe they can't believe anything a politician say's will be enough to turn the tide.

just my devalued $.02

As was seen with the bankruptcy bill vote, it's not just the GOP we have to deal with. So called Dems who vote against the interest of the people and for their masters need to be dealt with as well.

edit: added comment