Out Damn G-Spot
If Democrats want to seriously weaken the influence of the Republican party, there's a simple way to do it — take away the taxes button.
Do you want to bring a crowd of Republicans to the point of ecstasy, like teenage girls in 1964 squealing in the aisles while the Beatles shook their hair onstage? It's easy — just tell them you're going to lower taxes.
The idea of lower taxes is the Republican g-spot. But when you think about it, talking about taxes, in the context of nothing, is meaningless. It's as if you woke up one morning and decided you're going to cut back to working just two days a week, without the slightest thought of how you're going to pay the bills.
Democrats need to turn the national conversation away from taxes and onto what we need to do as a nation. Do we need to revitalize our infrastructure? Do we need to develop safe alternatives to fossil fuels? Do we, as a self-proclaimed Christian nation, need to guarantee that everyone has access to decent health care, regardless of income?
Democrats have to make national needs like these the topic of discussion, not taxes. Make Republicans say "No" to these needs and expose them for the me-firsters they are.
Comments
I agree with everything you say about turning the discussion to national needs, but the problem is getting Americans to come to a consensus on them. The need for health care is probably at the top of most people's lists, but I still know lots of people who think we should continue to drill, baby, drill until the oil runs dry.
Posted by: Kathy | October 31, 2008 11:33 AM
I hear you, Kathy. But the Repubs can trump any argument simply by chanting "lower taxes." If the Dems can turn the discussion to the actual issues, I think they can get consensus on them. Certainly on health care, which most people support.
Posted by: abi | October 31, 2008 11:51 AM
Surely the average punter must know, in the land of minimal taxes, if you don't pay direct you pay another way or forgo services.
I'm inclined to say pushing improved health care would trump further reductions.
Posted by: Dennis Cartledge | October 31, 2008 10:58 PM
You would think they would know that, Cart - and not just in cash payments. But in poorer medical statistics like infant mortality, lower comparative education scores, teeth-rattling roads, etc.
Posted by: abi | November 1, 2008 09:12 AM
yep you are jack our maniac in my chat box and your mental here,
Posted by: Driskoll | November 4, 2008 12:50 PM