Multiple times every day, GOP talking heads claim "government is the problem" not a broken economic system. Republican shills also contend "trickle-down economics works," that rich folks buying diamonds and Ferraris catalyzes the consumer economy. It doesn't -" it's part of the problem -" but average Americans don't see that. They believe that if Rush Limbaugh pays higher taxes it will hurt the economy because he won't be able to buy as many Arturo Fuente cigars. We've fallen in love with the folks running the prison. Rush Limbaugh fans want to be just like him.
While the US is being looted, many American are content to sit in front of their TV and watch American Idol or a similar show that suggests if you are lucky, you too can join the ranks of the rich and famous. Not only are we not angry at the rich, we want to be like them!
What can we do to snap America out of its trance and reverse our nation's disastrous course? Obviously, those of us who have the stomach for it can continue to write about the class war, tell the truth about what's happening to our beloved country. But what's really needed is a coordinated progressive message campaign to counter the evil Republican spinmeisters. That's what linguists George Lakoff and Drew Westen have been suggesting for two years. We need to counter the Republican spinmeisters with our own 24/7 message: "Your brother is not a chicken! You don't need the eggs, they're poison!"
But a positive message starts with a clear statement of what we are for: A fair economy that works for everyone, not just the rich and powerful. An economy where everyone works, where full employment is more important than record profits. An economy that promotes democracy, not hostage taking. This is an economy that operates from the moral basis proposed by Thomas Jefferson, who wrote, "The care of human life and happiness" is the first and only legitimate object of good government."
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