Conservative columnist and cable news pundit Amanda Carpenter posted a telling observation on Twitter: "It's remarkable all Palin had to do is say death panels in a Facebook statement to make the President on down start talking about them."
The Daily Show has a snarkier take: "You know a sales pitch is in trouble when it starts with 'look you've got to trust me, we're not going to kill your grandparents.'"
They're both making an important point: the debate over health reform is playing out on the right's terms. The national discourse (if you can call it that) could very well have been about the benefits of a single-payer system, but aside from a sham vote to appease progressives, single-payer is considered anathema in the media and political establishment and instead Democrats are scrambling to respond to a barrage of rightwing talking points.
This brings to mind a strategic concept favored by the right that has floated around progressive blogs but has never been put to use - or dealt with - by Democrats: the Overton Window.
From Wikipedia:
The Overton window is a concept in political theory, named after its originator, Joe Overton, former vice president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. It describes a "window" in the range of public reactions to ideas in public discourse, in a spectrum of all possible options on an issue. Overton described a method for moving that window, thereby including previously excluded ideas, while excluding previously acceptable ideas. The technique relies on people promoting ideas even less acceptable than the previous "outer fringe" ideas. That makes those old fringe ideas look less extreme, and thereby acceptable. The idea is that priming the public with fringe ideas intended to be and remain unacceptable, will make the real target ideas seem more acceptable by comparison. The degrees of acceptance of public ideas can be described roughly as: Unthinkable - Radical - Acceptable - Sensible - Popular -- Policy
Dave Johnson, a friend and fellow blogger, is well-versed in the tactic and has been speaking/writing about it for years (the excerpt below is from 2007):
The ongoing assault on public education is paralleled by similar ongoing attacks on so many other traditionally valued institutions in our society. Did you know that there are related organizations working to split the Episcopal Church and other mainstream religious denominations? ...Organizations funded to attack community-oriented philanthropy? ...Organizations funded to attack environmental groups and prominent environmental spokespersons like Al Gore? There are even fully-funded sister-organizations with the mission statement of discrediting science itself!
The Overton Window is a sophisticated tactic to help move the Right's self-described "unthinkable" ideas all the way to becoming policy. The strategy is to make radical ideas seem acceptable and comfortable. They describe a "ladder" of steps - degrees of public acceptance. They say they work to walk the public up this ladder step by step. According to the Overton Window concept, when the public FIRST hears ideas like getting rid of public schools, they consider them unthinkable, but with time and repetition, these ideas begin to be considered only radical, then with familiarity they become acceptable, and eventually sensible and worth putting into policy.Here are some examples of the Overton Window in action: Beyond privatizing schools and Social Security the Right is also talking not only about making abortion illegal, but even about going back to making birth control illegal. (Some of you might remember that it used to be illegal in several states.) They are talking about eliminating all environmental regulations. They are talking about eliminating zoning laws. California and a few other states had a ballot initiative last year that did both of those - it almost passed - and Oregon actually passed it a few years back. And they are talking about eliminating national parks. Public libraries. Taxes. Even public involvement in government. The Right has Overton Window strategies in operation for all of these efforts and more.
Precisely. Now this approach is in full effect for the health reform battle. And once again, Democrats seem blind-sided and flummoxed by the right's extreme, game-changing rhetoric. HuffPost's Sam Stein reports that the White House is "frustrated and confused by Palin, Limbaugh and Hannity." But this has all been telegraphed for years, from Ann Coulter slandering 911 widows and being cheered by NBC and other media outlets, to John Kerry, a man who volunteered to sacrifice his life for his country, being swift-boated for his willingness to face bombs and bullets.
In the inchoate anti-Obama rage manifesting itself today, we're seeing the results of years of radical rhetoric on the part of talk show hosts and pundits like Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage, O'Reilly and Coulter. Driving across America, it's astounding to realize how much venom is spewed, how much fury is piped into the ears and minds of Americans who tune in by the millions to these rage-mongers. The right loves to point to people like Cindy Sheehan to suggest that the left is equally culpable for degrading the national dialogue, but seriously, there's hardly a comparison between a multi-millionaire like Limbaugh bashing 'libruls' day in day out and a woman who lost her son in a war, especially one we now discover was about Gog and Magog!
Eric Burns of Media Matters writes about the pernicious effects of this avalanche of anger:
After months of bombardment, just 42 percent of Republicans nationwide believe Obama is even a citizen. Only 47 percent of all Southerners believe this indisputable fact. Not surprisingly, on the legislative side, the public is increasingly divided over signature Democratic efforts. Despite overwhelming agreement that health care reform is needed, recent polling has found that nearly 50 percent of respondents feel that Obama's health care plan is a "bad idea." This confusion and discontent is exactly what conservatives are working to cultivate and exploit
So when the left mocks 'birthers' and 'teabaggers' and 'death panels', we should keep in mind that there is a larger and more sinister strategic imperative in play, namely, to move the debate to the far right. Granted, it may not be a conscious strategy on the part of ordinary Americans voicing their fears about "government takeovers" and "socialism." For these citizens, the desire to "take their country back" stems from genuine emotions and beliefs, albeit emotions and beliefs carefully stoked by a still potent rightwing message machine using think-tank-crafted soundbites. Put more bluntly, a lot of these protesters really believe what they're saying. What's distressing (and deplorable) is how wrong-headed some of it is. And what's disgusting is when it devolves into racism and xenophobia.
How to deal with the problem? On health care, the countervailing approach would have been to start from a solid progressive position and negotiate from there. It's still likely that the White House will manage to push through a health care bill - and the media will cheer it as a victory. But because the terms of the debate were ceded early on by Democrats, we will end up with something far weaker than we could and should have.
And one final thought. The danger with the long-running radicalization promulgated by rightwing talkers, is that when you go far enough, you're courting incitement. Just listen to what David Neiwert, an expert on 'eliminationism', has to say about the disturbing direction we're headed:
We've been reporting steadily on the return of the militia movement in post-Bush America, and now that reportage has been confirmed by a disturbing report from the Southern Poverty Law Center describing a "Second Wave" of militiamen organizing across the countryside.... We've also explored a disturbing trend discussed in this report: the rise of Patriot-oriented veterans groups that have been spreading some of the most bizarre conspiracy theories out there -- and doing it as featured speakers at Tea Parties. More to the point, perhaps, they're fearfully fingering their guns because of the nature of these conspiracy theories.
The only thing missing, perhaps, from this report is the role of the mainstream media in helping to spread this fearmongering and paranoia, essentially validating these extremists in their beliefs on national television -- something that has a powerful permission-giving effect for the most unstable and extreme of this particular lot. Glenn Beck -- who has promoted not just FEMA concentration camp theories, but also far-right "constitutionalist" theories on states rights and secessionist movements, just to name a few -- is easily the worst of the lot in this regard. But he's hardly alone. Other right-wing talkers -- including Sean Hannity and especially CNN's Lou Dobbs. Hopefully, this report will get everyone to take a long hard look at the rest of the story here.
Depressingly, a long hard look may no longer be enough. The summer of 2009 may have radicalized the situation beyond repair and the violent repercussions will be felt in the months and years to come.
Follow Peter Daou on Twitter: www.twitter.com/peterdaou
The same thing is happening now.
Even though Democrats control congress and committees, there are just way more rightwing crazies now than there were then. And special interests are even stronger even though current healthcare is destroying the health and economy of the country.
We are in deep trouble.
"JESUS, DO YOU THINK THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD SHOULD FIND A WAY TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE TO EVERYONE, OR SHOULD IT JUST REMAIN THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO SUFFER WITHOUT, LIKE WOUNDED ANIMALS IN THE WOODS?"
What do you think of Mathew 25?
36 I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me with help and ministering care, I was in prison and you came to see Me.
39 And when did we see You sick or in prison and came to visit You?
40 And the King will reply to them, Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least in the estimation of men of these My brethren, you did it for Me.
Are we sure that if Pres. Obama chooses to lead us well to the left that when he looks back over his shoulder enough of us will be with him? Clinton blames his healthcare defeat on his moving too fast and too far to the left. Has he (and his wife) put too much of a scare into Obama? Mark Twain said "A cat who sits on a hot stove will never again sit on a stove--even a nice warm one". Too many lessons drawn from an experience can be worse than not enough. If Dems kept plugging away at a program of a vast mobilization of the entire country, more medical schools, a recrafting of the entire medical industrial complex, restructuring of licensure, practice standards, drug and device patents, and then got walked back to a single payer system with everything else left largely the same, it would seem lilke single payer was moderate position. Heck, just typing it here gave me that feeling.
Great article.
I have a mouth full of teeth that will get attention, and they have reached the hideous state they are in through insufficient or nonexistent health insurance throughout my life. A young man under 30 should not be facing extractions and dentures, but it sure would be a dramatic visual statement in favor of reform.
However, I clearly see that we have a government that is out of control. We have a novice, inexperienced President, a vacuum of leadership from the Executive Branch and a Congress that is running amok passing legislation that will bankrupt our country.
The people who have to bear the burden are hard-working taxpayers ... whether it is an 800 Billion dollar "Stimulus Package", "Cash for Clunkers", "Cap & Trade" or a one trillion dollar "Heath Care Reform". Deficit spending must stop now.
Enough is enough! We need fiscally responsible leadership now ... not 3.5 years from now. It is the "Forgotten Man", the hard-working taxpayers who are the backbone of this country that will rise up and stop the madness in Washington DC. We must get back to basic fundamentals in national government.
BTW, this sounds like a cut-and-paste job from your right-wing emails. Not many people refer to Obama as a novice, and George (I never met anything I didn't drive into the ground) Bush had Presidential experience?
Every first term President is by definition, a "novice". When you have someone with a long history of being President, that is called a "King".
America needs the assistance of the Mainstream Media through these troubling times of bringing our nation into the 21st Century. I listen to Hannity and Boortz on a daily basis. The mis-information spewing their mouths defy logic. But, the fans of these two are in lock step.
The Mainstream Media can merely counter the propaganda by printing their statements and counter with the actual facts. Hannity seems to have been promoted as the leader for WSB Radio by passing on talking points to his co-misinformers, even Clark Howard.
There must be some type of compensation for these types to become spokespersons for the extreme right. What is it and from whom?
The world is watching us. We need to put forth a cohesive front to remain creditable as a world leader. Too many Hannitys, Limbaughs, Coulters, Boortzs', Taizs, Becks, etc., will not encourage other nations to respect Americans.
Please help America by presenting the facts as they are, good, bad or indifferent. Just the facts, Sir.
Juan in a Blue State
When people finally realize that the empire is crumbling in on itself and the best and the brightest stage a mass exodus for parts of the world that have already gone through this struggle, what will be left? The selfish rich, ignorant and the poor? How great will this country be then?
Its a big world, maybe we should just leave them to themselves and go elsewhere? Or maybe we should just let them secede, build a big fence to keep them in when they realize what a horrible mistake they made and let the rest of us go on in truly taking our country back, not from a black president but from the oligarchy that's the real evil threatening this country. Now that would be an experiment interesting to watch.
The Welfare State is Socialism.
The Communists tell us that THEY are the only true Socialists.
Therefore Liberalism is Communism.
Emotional reaction is so much easier than reason and rationality - and it takes much less effort from a population much more interested in passivity than constructive activity. But it leaves the public open to manipulation by sophisticated and well-funded message machines promoting their own selfish interests, sowing fear and anger in a population unable to think clearly. It's going to kill us, slowly but surely.
Secret surveillance of American citizens is Fascism.
Therefore, Republicans are Fascists.
I don't really think your example or mine represents a true tautology. One thing does not lead to another. For instance, the Chinese Communists are the only true Socialists. Therefore, Liberals are Chinese Communists. Doesn't really follow does it?
There would be media pushback to Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, Savage, OReilly etc. and their 24/7 hate talk, lies, incitement, politics of fear and failure and brainwashing of their uninformed and often dumb and dumber listeners.
What is the alternative to a failed health bill? the status quo? The Democrats have to organize to push back at right wing propaganda, by requesting the return of the "Fairness Doctrine", and threatening to boycott right wing hate and failure talkers' national advertisers! And the President and the President's men especially have to tough talk these CEOs and National advertisers sponsoring this push for economic and Presidential failure!
From Senator Bernie Sanders, on the Huffington Post:
"Today, 46 million people have no health insurance and even more are underinsured with high deductibles and co-payments. At a time when 60 million people, including many with insurance, do not have access to a medical home, more than 18,000 Americans die every year from preventable illnesses because they do not get to the doctor when they should. This is six times the number who died at the tragedy of 9/11 – but this occurs every year."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-bernie-sanders/health-care-is-a-right-no_b_212770.html
-Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.
-Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.
-Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.
-Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.
-Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.
-Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.
-Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.
-Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.
Considering Bush wouldn't have thought twice about it? Becks fears of FEMA camps going without mention that a subdivision of Haliburton got the no-bid contract to build them. Or the fact that it was his admin that instituted the Patriot Act, FISA violations, habeus corpus, torture or the repeal of posse comitatus? Where were all these concerned citizens then?
Our country was hijacked decades ago and now that the public has spoken and voted for change, our "change" is more interested in becoming the new "Lincoln" instead of the new "FDR"!
What's scary is that we seem to have braided time streams, the social problems of Lincolns time with the economic troubles of FDRs time to come full circle and a threat of civil war bolstered by both sides of the media.