Wedgies and Dirty Politics

[radfringe]

Note: This past week there were more than a few posts saying we are being distracted from the issues by things such as the gay marriage ban and ignoring other issue like keeping the internet free. My ramble below is an attempt to look at why wedgies and dirty politics push other issues into a memory hole. I have no solutions, but I hope this gives some food for thought when the next wedgie come along


Wedgies and Dirty Politics
A Sunday Morning ramble
by Radfringe 6/11/06

We're at a crossroad - again. In about 5 months we will be voting for a new Congress. (NEW is in italics because it's unknown if Congress will really be new or more of the same).

What definitely is not new are the issues nor the tactics that will be employed to sway votes. We're all familar with the "Americans don't like dirty politics" phrase. While this may be true, the fact of the matter is Dirty Politics Works.

It invigorates the base and ticks off the opposition. It creates noise. It silences discussion about real issues.

As long as dirty politics works - it will be used.

We've seen candidates try to take the "high road" by pshawing it as dirty politics and attempt to bring the discussion back to issues. We've also seen these candidates lose because DIRTY POLITICS WORKS. Like it or not candidates have to respond, respond strongly and unfortunately respond in kind.

Along with dirty politics there are wedge issues. Most recently, these wedges focus on religious beliefs vs secular beliefs. Into the mix is the concept of "moral values" or "family values". These are warm fuzzy concepts which no one has clearly defined. What do they really mean? Do they mean the same to you as they do to me or the same as your neighbor?

A teacher of mine had a sign above the chalkboard - DEFINE YOUR TERMS. When a candidate throws out terms such as "values" we should be asking him/her to define those values and explain how this effects the real issues.

Large issues such as the economy, Iraq, global warming, energy, government corruption, foreign relations, War on Terror, or the Patriot Act do not enter the general public discussion unless if effects us personally. A prime example of this is the NSA wiretapping. The line we most often hear is "I've got nothing to hide, so it's ok for the government to listen in on my conversations".

Most people feel their conversations with their Auntie Em are of no consequence. They are probably right - getting an old family recipe for beef stew is of no great import to the government and until Auntie Em is detained by Homeland Security for carrying a jar of secrets herbs and spices - it doesn't have any personal impact. It also won't have any widespread impact unless all our Auntie Ems are detained.

People don't vote on knowledge of an issue or knowledge of a candidate, they vote from the gut, the personal, the emotional level or more specifically the fear factor. Make an issue personal, make people afraid, and you've got an issue. The Republicans have learned this and use it extremely well.

We are going to be distracted by wedge issues - we can't ignore them. Wedge issues work because they touch on something personal. There's a saying All politics are local - to that I would add All local politics are personal.

[monarch]

1. You make some excellent points but

how do we get them to understand how many of OUR issues could affect THEM? The only way we even get them to reflect for a minute is to ask how much they would like Hillary to have all this power. Then they say "Nah, never going to happen!" They are either totally lacking in imagination or in real world experience.

Apparently, they don't fly or live near chemical plants or busy ports. They don't patronize libraries or bookstores. They don't want to be educated by an open-minded teacher or by any news source that might open their closed minds. They don't care if the powers-that-be determine what they can read, watch or spend their leisure time doing. The list can go on.

The only thing that seems to get some attention is the possibility of taxing some of their churches. What are they going to do if their particular brand of piety goes out of favor? What are the Pat Robertsons, Jerry Falwells etc. going to do for their next money-making ventures? Inquiring minds want to know.

[radfringe]

2. make the issues personal

I hate to say it - but the issues have to be "dumbed down".

for example: We can drag out charts/reports/studies/graphs about energy usage and it's impact on the country and our economy.

But what really gets people talking? The price at the gas pumps. It becomes personal, it becomes real.

In Pennsylvania, a big topic is property taxes. Many communities are in the process of reassessment. In my own county - the reassessments were to be announced this July. It's been put off until next year - AFTER NOVEMBER ELECTIONS. Why?

Because property taxes will go up and raising taxes before an election is not good politics for incumbents. It creates an emotional and personal issue for every voter.

How much impact will property tax issue have on this year's local elections - very little because the scope of it's impact won't be felt by individual citizens in the coming few months.

[AX10]

3. kick

[radfringe]

4. monday morning kick