The American Family

[Tigermoose]

I was reading a post in the Politics section that posted an article by Brent Budowsky on how the Democrats can win a landslide in the next election. I want to highlight one FANTASTIC idea that he suggested.

"The American Family."

This is a fantastic metaphorical framework that can capture the hearts and minds of the American people. It counters the Republican fear tactics that benefit the Republican "strict father" figure with a progressive "nurturant parent" metaphor. This essentially is building upon the theory of George Lakoff in his book "Moral Politics." We need to constantly repeat this idea of America as a nurturant family...over and over again. Every discussion should be framed in terms of America as a nurturant family. The people of America need to see their government as an extension of this family metaphor. Nurturing families do not neglect their own as happened with Katrina. Nurturing families do not try to start wars in order to send their children off to die.

Fact is, most American people are not voting with reason. And, as cognitive linguists are finding, our reasoning is captive to the metaphoric framework that limits and interprets experience. We need to frame the discussion with a metaphor that succeeds in promoting progressive ideas. "The American Family" is a great way of doing that. We must not allow ourselves to be trapped in debates that are framed by conservative language! Avoid language that deals with war, conflict, protection, etc... Instead, talk about helping others, growing young minds through education, cooperation with other countries, the interdependence of all life, etc.

We are all one big family on this Earth, and it is time to stop being so damn dysfunctional!

[LSparkle]

1. This dovetails nicely with John Dean's book about authoritarians

Those on the right who are lemming-like followers love their "strict fathers" ...

[Tigermoose]

3. More like, they "obey and fear" their strict fathers.

nt

[LSparkle]

4. Absolutely, but also they feel "comfortable" with them

They wouldn't know what to do without Daddy telling them what to do.

[Ron Green]

2. The grownup does not kill the misbehaving child, he gently teaches

the child good social behavior and above all leads by example.

[Tigermoose]

5. Progressive Christians should use this too.

We need to focus on the nurturant aspect of Jesus in the New Testament. Conservatives tend to favor the strict father God of the Old Testament. Jesus came to show us that God was nurturant rather than strict, angry, and unforgiving.

[Jed Dilligan]

6. Maybe, but... ugh.

The thought of relating to the whole population of this country as "family" makes me want to :puke:

[Tigermoose]

8. I wish we could appeal to reason and sanity...

but that's impossible when they listen to Hannity.

We must tap the emotional aspect of our mentally incompetent siblings. Because the Rethugs have been doing it for several years now, and they now control the government.

Issues will not win elections in the current mentally handicapped landscapes of Fox News America.

[RufusEarl]

7. Isn't this the approach John Edwards is taking?

He comes across like a nurturing father figure in his speeches, always talking about helping the family and the working person.