Call it Boyle's Law for debate. The lexicon for health care reform has expanded to include the plural noun, town hallers, and it's grown louder as well, increasing in volume from all the shouting. Hot air will expand to fill the available space.
Thus it's refreshing to hear language expert George Lakoff soberly pick apart the rancorous words being volleyed from both sides. His conclusion: Democrats are failing to make a persuasive case for health care reform.
Watch the full program on FORA.tv.
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Like Kucinich and Dean have pushed for years.
That's the language problem.
Listen to these frightened seniors: They LOVE MEDICARE!
Keep it simple.
The idea that REPUBLICANS are standing in your way is simply ludicrous. You guys creamed us in the last election. You have a gold-plated mandate for change. So change us already, and stop belly-aching about the lack of bipartisan support. What is wrong with the Dems that they can't pass their most important legislation when all of the stars are aligned?
Kucinich/Dean 2012!
Single payer is easy to explain and would be a REAL American Plan.
1) Government Takeover - people, that's what it is. Insurance companies are bad. Doctors are bad. Obama is going to fix it... by taking it over. This plan is designed as the first step toward single-payer. Why not tell the truth?
2) It Will Kill Old People - Medicare is bankrupt - eye-poppingly bankrupt. No matter how we do it, health care has to be rationed. It is logical to assume that since Medicare is a black hole of deficit, fixing that means more rationing than is currently happening. This new plan will effect Medicare. Why not tell the truth?
3) No Waiting, No Claim Denials - This seems disingenuous. An increased demand for health care will certainly involve the same amount or more waiting. It also seems likely that even the "American Plan" amazing public care will have to have standards that involved denying some claims.
Why not tell the truth and see if anyone is interested. Stop selling and start fixing.
I can’t imagine why we have so much trouble with them.
Conviction
Passion
If you're really not sure if you believe in something or precisely what it is you believe in, you lack conviction.
If you believe in something but won't fight for it, you lack passion.
Author/Lakof are incorrect if they think the public needs to be convinced or sold.
America basically voted on these policies in Nov.
Now it is our other elected officials who cannot get this done. It is our elected-salaried-expensed-red-carpeted representatives who are playing hide the cookie with OUR DOUGH. Allowing this Invasion of the Body Snatchers healthcare system continue to have their way with us...as long as the Dem gets some cash slipped into his pocket.
Horrible use of Mass Media, CorporoNews constantly shifting attention from what is important, to watch faked hysteria. Turning a foregone conclusion ( public heavily in favor of Healthcare Reform) into some kind of He Said She Said shouting match between irrelevant parties.
Relevant parties here are the Prez and the Congress.
We want universal healthcare. That is what BHO promised and that is what he is wriggling out of, to the pain and detriment of us all. I am pretty ashamed of his weak, calm, impotence in the face of the Corporate Interests. I thought better of him. We all knew our representatives were bought and sold creatures and it sucks. HE had his work cutout, but he was liberated from the daily grind of being a paid-for corporate puppet. He should be calling out these Blue Dogs and Dem Senators, riding them, doing "What do we want" "Healthcare!" shout-outs, not townhalls where crazies get to pack the place and grab the mike.