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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Guide Weather Subscribe Contact Us November 23, 2004 Recapturing the issues of values on election day By Sharry Teague Ashland In his book, "Don't Think of an Elephant," linguistics expert George Lakoff explains how the conservatives are winning elections. Over the past 30 years, in think tanks and policy meetings, right wingers have developed language that frames issues their way. The post election news brought home to me exactly what Lakoff describes. In story after story Bush's win was ascribed to morals values. The implication, even if unintended, is that Democrats have forgotten family values and moral issues. Unfortunately, the idea that one has "family values" has come to mean something pretty small: bigotry regarding marriage and government control of a woman's body. Election exit polls, by listing separate categories for Iraq and morals/values, helped support this narrow meaning. These polls imply that engaging in warfare has nothing to do with morality or values. What can progressives do about this language distortion? We can demonstrate how our goals - decent wages, clean air, and good schools - directly help families. We can shine a brighter spotlight on corporate cheating - a morals issue. We can even let voters know when our values are supported by deep faith or religious conviction. We can do that. But whenever the term "moral values" is used to reject basic human rights, we should leave it to conservatives. Democrats must remain progressive, creative, and strong. Our values of sustainable environment, honest business practices, truthful (and fiscally responsible) government, dependable Social Security, equitable health care, excellent education, world stability, and loving families are morally sound. Moving to the right weakens these positions. We need clearly articulated ideas and heartfelt language, not different goals. We are the center. The extreme right has just convinced a few too many people otherwise. Their expensive think tanks are paying off handsomely. There are differences in this country, yes, and these differences require genuine debate. But the words we use can clarify these issues or confuse them. I vote for clarity. I encourage those who want to use language that reflects progressive goals to visit www.rockridgeinstitute.org and read George Lakoff's book. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Slippers Isotoner Slippers Dsw Shoes Ceramic Piggy Banks Fanny Mae Eloans Calenders 2005 Calender 2005 Accelerate Weight Loss Programs Citibank Student Loans Acs Loan Matchmaking & Dating Scripts Adventure Travel Conference Calls - $50/Month Security Systems student loan consolidation helzberg diamonds Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams