I listened to NPR today and heard an interview with Thomas Frank and some other guy. Both were discussing the need for a clarified Democratic message. Frank said Dems should emphasize one word: "Security." Not just national security or even security from terror. Security from hurricanes and epidemics. Security from economic upheaval and a lack of healthcare.
SOF and I thought that was a pretty good message. Have to see if the Dems could pull it off.
In the meantime, I have been toying with a new party: The Rationals. Instead, I am thinking that the Democrats simply incorporate that into the party platform. The Democratic Party: The Party for Rational People.
Or.
The DNC: Where spirits are not blamed for hurricanes or tragedy.
or
The DNC: Where evidence is valued, and faith is respected.
Any others?
6 comments:
It's a great angle, but I also wonder how much taking the rational approach would backfire. Coming from the south, I know that a lot of folks there are very suspicious of people who are more educated than they are. I don't really know how to resolve that or make those kinds of people more trustful. Maybe there isn't a way to do so. Maybe there isn't a way to reach people like that and the Democrats have to lay their groundwork with people who are younger, who aren't afraid of people who are rational.
Yeah, that is kind of my point. I am tired of trying to deal with the irrationals. I think we appeal to the rational side of most and simply assume that the irrationals will not be swayed.
This whole discussion of rationality reminds me of the paternalism of the old Progressive movement. Of course they had your best interest at heart, but you had to realize that they clearly knew better than you what that was.
Remember too that even Fightin' Bob himself supported eugenics as a rational means of societal improvement.
So, yikes.
Bucky, of course rationality isn't the ultimate answer to our public policy issues. That is really not what I am saying. Within a rational context, however, we can at least grapple with our problems. Hard to grapple with the hurricane being God's wrath, or how to address global warming when it is not even acknowledged.
You are just peeved that the Bears are 1-3. :)
How 'bout instead of "rational," we use the word "reasonable?" It has a bit more of a down-home common sense connotation to it (which could appeal to the southern folks) and it's hard to argue with the slogan, 'Be reasonable in '08!' "Elect someone reasonable!"
Just my $0.02.
Here's an interesting article on rationality: http://www.gladwell.com/2004/2004_01_12_a_suv.html
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