Why do Republicans keep on winning the naming game?

[DaveofCali]

Lately, for instance, Republicans are successfully getting nearly everyone to call Medicare and Social Security "entitlements", which makes it sound like its merely a government program (that needs to be cut because it supposedly adds to the deficit!), when in fact its insurance funded by payroll taxes. Republicans also got many people to call the Health Care Reform bill "Obamacare", also again making it sound like a bloated government program, when in fact it reduces the deficit.

Why aren't there pundits, show hosts, and Democratic politicians fighting back against the naming game that Republicans keep on doing? Republicans winning the name game aids in threatening the future for Americans because it subtly brainwashes people into having misguided views which then lets the Republicans guide them into shooting themselves in the foot (and maybe the chest, if eligibility for Medicare is pushed back many years later in life as a result.)

[aquart]

1. Because Bush Sr. sold US citizenship to Rupert Murdoch.

Who hired people to do this.

[DaveofCali]

4. Why is there very little fightback though?

The only fightback I've heard is Thom Hartmann and Norman Goldman, which are radio figures and thus have limited reach.

[aquart]

17. No Olbermann? No Rachel? No Lawrence? No Big Ed?

[woo me with science]

2. Because the Democratic President also wants to cut "entitlements. "

People continue to labor under the misperception that this is a cave rather than a collusion.

Wall Street has infested both parties.

[DaveofCali]

6. Is Obama's willingness to call Social Security and Medicare "entitlements"...

... mean that he's also in the game? Thus proof that he's a moderate conservative or a DINO?

[woo me with science]

10. LOL. No, that's not the proof.

The proof is in his own words and actions. I was just noting that he uses the word, and he does defend entitlement cuts.

Actually, use of that word to describe SS and Medicare has never bothered me much in the past. I think those who pay into an insurance policy are "entitled" to their claims, and I see no negative connotation associated with that usage. I do understand and respect the concerns that it has acquired a more negative connotation in recent political use, though.

[Sportsguy]

3. Anyone Notice How They Don't Use The Words Social Security," "Medicare," Or "Medicaid"?

I notice.

[proud patriot]

7. I like to call them out on that too

[Sportsguy]

8. They Need To SAY THE WORDS!

I dare them!

[proud patriot]

18. We all should do the same

[Armstead]

5. Because we let them

[HappyMe]

9. They know how to fight dirty.

They know how to get a big chunk of their supporters on the same page. They have their story, and they stick to it.

[AndyTiedye]

11. Why Aren't There any Democratic Pundits or Show Hosts?

Why aren't there pundits, show hosts, and Democratic politicians fighting back against the naming game that Republicans keep on doing?

Because ALL of the pundits and show hosts are Republicans! Democratic politicians don't get on the shows unless they are total boll weevils like Lieberman.

[L. Coyote]

12. Proper rhetoric is important. TPM: It's the "Republican Debt" stupid.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1603324

Why mince words. Whose debt is this anyway? It is attributable to George W. Bush and his wars, not to progressives on the left, not to Bill Clinton.

It is the "Republican debt" plain and simple, and progressives need to start calling it that!

Consider this your official Talking Point Memo and pass it on!

[MyshkinCommaPrince]

13. Think tanks.

Think tanks and media ownership and/or representation. And perhaps evil is just easier than good.

[RegieRocker]

14. They don't have a life, so to fill it they spend most of their time

on this topic and many others.

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. Because we suck at Framing and at this point

I gotta say it is on purpose.

I mean we are 'fraid to insult our esteemed colleagues... :sarcasm:

And even discussions on the blogosphere, away from the centers of power make the argument that to win these people you should stop insulting them.

That is why.

[SoutherDem]

16. I have seen this happen for 30 years,

remember "trickle down economics" and the "death tax"

[Cleita]

19. Because they have no problem with bold faced lying.

Even when they are called out on it, they stick to the lie. In this way they own the labeling and naming in the conversation because it's all fantasy presented as reality and no one can really destroy the logic when there isn't any.