Reply #12: I'm not really disagreeing with you... [View All]

[cascadiance]

And I don't think you'd disagree with me.

I agree that we need to stick to the core of our principles, and not have them compromised just to "win an argument". You're right that Lackoff doesn't emphasize that enough as he should. That's what separates us from Rethugs, who will lie and cheat and "reframe things their way" just to win, principles be damned.

But we do have to recognized when we are being "framed" in a way, and get out of that box, which I think can be done and still maintain our principles. We just have to emphasize that we are always staying the same in what we believe is right, and that most Americans, when hearing *and* understanding the core of our beliefs, wouldn't see us as extremists in our view, but more mainstream. We just have to make it clear that what we do believe is "mainstream", and point out why in specifics to those that might be apt to be pushed into the right wing corner instead of falling in with what the Rethugs call as "extremists" (us!).

We can't and shouldn't be arguing with Rethugs on their terms. We can't and shouldn't be bargaining away our principles just to get some extra campaign donations. We should bargain to ensure that we get our most important agenda accomplished and as long as we don't sacrifice our moral compass in the process and drive a hard bargain as well. With these Rethugs, since most of them are extremist now, and can't really be bargained with without sacrificing too much. We just need to make sure that people know that we are with them in the majority and that the majority should dictate the terms, not a minority that's manipulated and distorted itself into power.