Republicans have coordinated daily talking points. Often generated by expert communicators like the odious Frank Luntz, and poll or focus tested. Their opinions, and often their lies, penetrate deeply into the public consciousness.
Progressives wouldn’t accept such a rigid system. We are too independent.
However, we can at least discuss wordings are more effective at communicating our goals and policies. Some word choices are better than others at cutting through the fog of lies.
Here are my suggestions — better communicators than I are welcome to add corrections and suggestions. If this diary gets any traction, I will try to update from the comments later today.
It’s a “relief” proposal, not an economic “stimulus” proposal. The economy doesn’t need stimulus right now — the problem isn’t a lack of demand overall. Instead, some parts of the economy are simply shut down. Those businesses and workers need relief funding to carry them through the pandemic.
It’s the “Republican” party, not the “GOP.” There are some people who don’t associate the abbreviation “GOP” with the Republicans. Seriously, they are that poorly informed. Or dim. A headline like “GOP blocks economic package” doesn’t penetrate as well as “Republicans block...” People vote for Republicans (or not). The GOP is an insider term that should be avoided if space allows.
Republicans are “anti-democracy” and “un-American,” not “authoritarian.” People don’t understand what authoritarian means, and it has a ring of authority to it. Please never, ever use it. Calling Republicans “fascist” is also problematic, again because people don’t know what it means. I think it’s better to just go full “nazi” instead. But I prefer “anti-democracy.”
It’s “demilitarizing the police” or “reforming the police,” not “defunding the police.” Progressives want non-racist, community policing. Defunding sounds too anarchic.
Republicans are “publicity seekers,” “drama queens,” “TV celebrities.” They just want to “preen for the cameras,” instead of “doing their damned jobs.” (I realize drama queen is a bit edgy and possibly offensive. But people get it.) “Rand Paul is just a drama queen trying to get on TV all the time.”
“White entitlement” seems better than “White privilege.” Lots of White racists don’t feel privileged, particularly economically. The term gives them a deflection.
Democrats are the “pro-democracy,” “rule of law” party. I really like the distinction between the the pro-democracy party that wants rule of law and checks and balances, with the anti-democracy, White entitlement party. It has the advantage of being easy to understand and it’s accurate.
Republicans are “liars,” “whiners,” “weasels”. They’re not “straight shooters.” Of course, Democrats aren’t saints, necessarily (or unanimously). But we need to somehow how make the distinction between the usual political exaggerations and spin vs. the Republican “party of lies.” I can get through to my parents when I say things like “I’m pretty conservative, but I could never be a Republican because I don’t like being lied to.”
Never use SAT words for Republican lying. Please, please don’t use words like “prevaricate” or “mendacity.” It’s just “lying.”
Don’t use “Trumpist” or “MAGA-ites” or such. Just call them Republicans. “Most Republicans in the House voted to nullify Democracy.” The whole Republican party is complicit, don’t let them off the hook by overemphasizing Trump.
Call Republicans “trolls,” trying to “provoke conflict” and “make people angry.” Most older people won’t understand the trolling term, but I think it’s helpful to refer to Republicans as “do-nothing, worthless trolls” in some contexts.
Call them “con artists,” not “grifters.” Again, people don’t know what “grift” means — it’s another unnecessary SAT word.
Don’t use “populists.” Call them “suck ups to racists” or “kissing up to white supremacists.” Or just call them racists and white supremacists, as applicable.
Don’t use “plutocrats.” Instead, say things like “bailouts to the rich.” To me, saying “Republicans just want to send tax cuts to their rich donors instead of working people” works better. People don’t know terms like “plutocrats.”
What else?
Edit — I fixed some punctuation based on suggestions, but left the “drama queen” insult in place for now. I think it would work as an insult to a Republican in hard-red states, but I realize it also has a negative edge.
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