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—War of Wealth lithograph c 1895
"Debt is the worst poverty."
—Thomas
Fuller
A Moral
Economy,
by Fred Block, Longview Institute,
appearing in
The Nation
One
America
What
The President's Budget Shows
About The Administration's Priorities, Center on Budget and
Policy Priorities
Reframing the Political Battle: Market Fundamentalism vs. Moral
Economy
What's the Matter with Kansas?
by Thomas Franks
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by
John Perkins
The Right's Moral Trouble
from the Longview Institute
Talking Union by Pete Seeger (absolutely a must-hear, terrific!
Real audio only)
George Bush likes to
talk about an "Ownership Society."
We already have one: CEO's with
jets; Power companies that get their way even if the health of
children and pregnant women suffer. Oil companies who write our
energy policy. George Bush's so-called "Ownership Society" is a
secret society that rewards the wealthiest and shuts out those who
work hard every day.
—John Edwards
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Powerhouse Mechanic at work, 1920
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A Moral Economy |
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Position statement:
Democrats believe in a fair tax system and moral economy that serves every
American and not just the elite few.
We reap the
benefits of our tax investment in America with good
schools, good roads, crime prevention, a strong
military, support of our veterans, medical
breakthroughs and help for our most vulnerable
citizens. Democrats
are responsible money managers who know how to balance a
budget and make government efficient. We believe that a
moral economy and a strong America are possible only
when every American is given a level playing field upon
which to succeed. We believe that compassion and
decency is moral and economic strength; and therefore, we create
programs to advance the most vulnerable in our
society.
By contrast, Republicans
believe that all government social programs should be eliminated.
Programs that pave the way for increased profits to
private corporations, including tax cuts in time of war
and tax loopholes, are considered moral. They are fully in charge right now
of every branch of government, successfully
changing our economy from people-first to profits-first.
The radical Republicans want a fundamental change in our
economy from democratic capitalism to
government-sponsored corporatism. Only when our
government is bankrupt and the American people are
dependent on corporations for all their needs, will the
radical Republicans have achieved their goals.
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Frame using these
values:
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Fairness
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Security
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Responsibility
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Protection
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Accountability
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Compassion
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Repeat these ready-made frames:
"Moral Economy"; "Birth Tax" or "Baby Tax" (referring to
the soaring deficit);
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| Use these
themes:
A strong middle class makes a strong America"; A baby should be born with a
"Clean slate" (balanced budget) or a "Trust Fund"
(budget surplus); $36,000 "Birth Tax" for
every child born in America today; "Instant Debt" for
babies born in America; "Borrowing Binge";
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| Reframe using these
concepts: "Middle Class Squeeze"; America
going bankrupt; 'Ownership Society' means you
own all the risk. If trouble comes along, you're on
your own!; 'Ownership Society' means that the
Republicans own YOU.
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| Contrast
using these words: "Poverty
President"; "Robber Baron
Republicans"; "Credit Card Republicans";
"Borrow and Spend Republicans";
"Red Ink Republicans"; "Anti-Consumer
President"; Irresponsible; Reckless; Callous; |
| Avoid repeating these
words: "tax relief" |
Know the tools in the
radical Republican tool chest:
1.
The Radical
Republican Manifesto:
The Integration of Theory and Practice: A Program for
the New Traditionalist Movement by Eric Heubeck;
2. Frank Luntz Republican Playbook — Searchable Text-Version
3. "14
Words Never to Use"
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| Quick facts*:
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Research:
Center
on Budget and Policy Priorities
Facts on Fair
Taxation, Citizens for Tax Justice -excellent
source for non-partisan facts
Congressional Budget Office
Government Accountability Office
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