The power of language.
Think of the following terms:
Moral majority.
Silent majority.
Values voters.
And now, think of how the right wing uses these terms to promote a far right agenda and control the limits of what is possible.
The term moral majority is quite simple, but effective. It suggests that the right wing is moral, and that it is the majority of the country. Polling generally supports the idea that progressive ideas are more popular among the actual population, but this GOP framing tries to negate that.
The term silent majority reinforces the term moral majority. It implies that, even if polling shows otherwise, this silent majority still represents the real America.
The last term, values voters, is simple but brilliant. Thanks to constant repetition, we all know that the term values voters refers to the GOP voters. The corollary, of course, is that Democratic voters are not values voters. Thus the right can claim the moral high ground.
But consider also that these self-described values voters, this moral but silent majority, supports a man who has never demonstrated any morality or values in his dealings with anyone.
= new reply since forum marked as read
