Those who would harm America
Islamic extremists
Example one indicates a large group of individuals. For example China imports have hurt and killed people. OPEC has reduced oil production. The Wall street firms have mismanaged our money and the list goes on. This puts us at odds with a large portion of the world. This is a similar example of a generality.
Example two does not define the enemy. Islam is widely practiced as a religion of submission to God and of peaceful ideology. Extremists include bleeding heart liberals and Neo-Conservatives. Our enemy may be Islamic radical terrorists bent on violence to achieve their objectives but it certainly can't include the membership of Islamic fundamentalists.
8. Plain Folks: The plain folks propaganda technique was another of the seven main techniques identified by the IPA, or Institute for Propaganda Analysis. The plain folks device is an attempt by the propagandist to convince the public that his views reflect those of the common person and that they are also working for the benefit of the common person. The propagandist will often attempt to use the accent of a specific audience as well as using specific idioms or jokes. Also, the propagandist, especially during speeches, may attempt to increase the illusion through imperfect pronunciation, stuttering, and a more limited vocabulary. Errors such as these help add to the impression of sincerity and spontaneity. This technique is usually most effective when used with glittering generalities, in an attempt to convince the public that the propagandist views about highly valued ideas are similar to their own and therefore more valid. When confronted by this type of propaganda, the subject should consider the proposals and ideas separately from the personality of the presenter. Example; Joe (the plumber)
Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher - McCain campaign
The problem here lies with the fact that Wurzelbacher was represented as the average man who was concerned about the tax increases under then, Sen. Obama's plan that would increase his liability tax for earnings over $250,000.00 a year. That would indicate Mr. Wurtzelbacher not to be the average Joe, as the average US income per capita is around $37,000.00. Sen. McCain's campaign who tried to use this plain folk technique with the aid of Mr. Wurtzelbacher, who would later become disenfranchised with the McCain campaign and also caused the Senator some embarrassment. Most candidates use the specific names of plain folks who in speaking on specific issues have raised concerns that many Americans share. If Betty Carter is out of work and single mom she represents a segment of America that is challenged to meet financial responsibilities. This personalizes the candidates to each member of this group and gives the voter a feeling that this person feels their pain, even though the candidate may be considered elite, have considerable wealth and have no knowledge of the day to day life of these people.
Example: President Clinton goes to McDonalds and orders fries while campaigning demonstrating his common folk addiction to junk food. He is not aware that people have to eat the dollar menu food in order to stay within their budgets.
Misfires: G.H.W. Bush visits a Penny's department score to buy socks but has to be told how to handle the transaction, likely due to the fact his wardrobe has been selected or made to order by private fittings.
G.W. Bush claims that "I know how hard it is to put food on your family,". Here we see another example of being so out of touch that you cannot even phrase it correctly. He possibly had to be rehearsed to understand the concept of this well known phrase to "put food on the family table"
As generous Americans we also cannot fathom the lifestyle of the average Joe in Darfur or Somalia. The use of plain folks propaganda is necessary in today's politics since the perception of wealthy elitism controlling the branches of government.
9. Simplification (Stereotyping): Simplification is extremely similar to pinpointing the enemy, in that it often reduces a complex situation to a clear-cut choice involving good and evil. This technique is often useful in swaying uneducated audiences. When faced with simplification, it is often useful to examine other factors and pieces of the proposal or idea, and, as with all other forms of propaganda, it is essential to get more information. Examples;
Barack Hussein Obama II
Obama II was born to Christian mother, Ann Dunham and an atheist father Barack Obama Sr. yet due to his namesake or given middle name he has labeled as a Muslim. This type of simplification is often used as a groups, races or religions. Once again 'Islamic terrorists' to the uneducated public indicates that Islam represents terror. When the Irish Republican Army was involved in terror activities, they were not being identified in MSM as Irish terrorists or Catholic extremists.
Suddam Hussein and the invasion of Iraq often compared to the need to invade Germany and occupied France.
This comparison appeals to our sense of honor, duty, patriotism and neglects the fact that at the time of invasion Hussein had not attacked another sovereign country nor invaded their borders but the comparison brings the audience into the emotional and moral side of the statement often foregoing any intelligent critique.
