Yes! It is time for the press to focus on the consequences, whether it is the deportation of a beloved neighbor of 20 years, food safety outbreaks, lack of weather information, or the loss of medical coverage. People without medical coverage are more likely to show up at the emergency room with a non-emergency because they will be treated. That puts a strain on hospitals logistically and financially, and rural hospitals are particularly going to be hit hard by Medicaid cuts and many will close.
Also, a focus on Trump lets the rest of the Republicans off the hook. After all, who voted to seat those laughably inept cabinet members?
I've shared this with my journalism school family members. Trying what might be effective is worth it. I do have TDS, and I wish more were afflicted, but I can see that the propaganda pushed by the right wing causes a defensive reaction. Excellent points!!
This is an extremely insightful piece. And bravo to AP if they are doing this intentionally and strategically to actually get the truth out. People have been conditioned to view anything that smacks of political reporting either through their personal political lenses or as something to avoid. Alternative methods are required to get through the muck that makes the truth so hard to find.
The Industry-backed Crypto bill (called the “Genius Act”) is not yet getting the negative attention it deserves. Call your Senators now - including your Democratic Senators who do not seem to realize how bad this bill is. 202-225-3121.
Bravo, bravissimo! The press and too many pro-democracy activists accord too much power to this entity called "Trump." They act like poster children for the unitary executive theory, even though they'd almost certainly oppose it if they knew what it was. The roots of this go way, way back in U.S. history, at least to the late 19th century, when talking about systems or the common good or pointing out the flaws in the "free market" (or, gods forbid, trying to organize a union) got you branded a commie pinko un-American anarchist, etc.
As to "partisan" -- I'd rather reserve the word for, say, those who resisted the Nazis before and during World War 2. I've been saying for many years that all the best candidates and officeholders are Democrats, but the Democratic *Party* is nothing to write home about. After decades of being "unenrolled" (in my state, Massachusetts, unenrolled voters can take the primary ballot of either party), I signed up as a Democrat after the 2016 election and became an officer in my local Dem group. The local group was (and is) great, but what I learned about the Democratic *Party* in this state and nationally led me to go back to being unenrolled after three terms in office.
I donate to campaigns, not to the party apparatus -- although I *am* seriously considering donating to the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State (DASS) and/or the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA). They're on the front lines, and they're doing crucial work.
This strategy is right on the money. I get exasperated when folks, such as Nicholas Kristof in the NYT, demand Trump has to be held accountable. If we have learned nothing else from Trump in the past decade, it is that his cult followers will NEVER hold him accountable. That's as true today as the day when he claimed he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and nobody would care. So we have to focus on his enablers -- the cowards in Congress. That's why Indivisible is raising money for billboards highlighting Republican votes to slash Medicaid. Carolina Forward posted photos of North Carolina reps noting how many Medicaid clients are in their districts and how they are getting dismissed. This is a winning midterm strategy. The cowards in Congress think they can keep their heads down and let Trump take the hits. Democrats are not foolish enough to let them off the hook.
I LOVE this strategy. Decency vs. Cruelty is a great agenda to push. We need to get every democratic member of congress using this catch phrase in every interview they do. This is how the republicans move their messages along; they keep repeating the catch phrase until it becomes part of the daily vernacular. Michael Cohen has been trying to get the democrats to catch onto this as well, but I believe you have found the winning phrase, Mr. Jacob!
Biden’s accomplishments, particularly the Inflation Reduction Act, were largely ignored by journalists even though they were having significant positive impact on Americans. There seemed to be no space or time for coverage of the actual effects of government on our lives. Focusing on what is said rather than what is done is a recipe for problems.
Mark Jacobs continues to highlight both the need for strong media, and examples of media falling short. I re-read Marliss's comments. In a local Indivisible type group meeting, debate arose: who bears the onus of speaking out? Is it those in "safe" situations, especially concerning personal safety, not just democracy's? Some argued for at-risk individuals to share their stories. I contended today's risks (deportation, jail) differ from the '60s, making it crucial for the "safe" to amplify marginalized voices.
Media and elected officials still have the loudest megaphones to amplify what is happening.
Absolutely correct about focusing on the verifiably terrible outcomes emanating from Republicans rather than getting 'personal' by challenging people on their allegiance to Trump. Both parties have personalized issues to the point that everything seems like an insult to everyone. I believe it is called identity politics. Of course, our identities have always been tightly bound to our political values.
However, it was never a good idea for us to allow ourselves to be turned into avatars of partisanship when talking politics. But, social media got us all talking politics, which then led us into expressing stuff in the most abrasive, confrontational way possible to strangers! Which is really bizarre if you think about it. We would never do this in person. If we did talk politics with a stranger, we would couch everything in the most detached way we could because if you make things too personal, you never know if you might receive a punch in the nose.
We do much better presenting verifiable facts with honest, relevant context so people can see what is at stake. We should appeal to their better angels by asking conscience pricking questions without accusing or shaming. These are basic human communication skills we need to rediscover. Because they work. It is infinitely more effective when people freely reach their own conclusions in their own way. Then, they will come to the partisanship themselves. And the partisanship will cut against Republicans. By de-personalizing politics, we allow space for growth.
(Of course this won't be 100%. But never let the perfect be the enemy of the good as the interwebs seems to imply we must.)
Yes! It is time for the press to focus on the consequences, whether it is the deportation of a beloved neighbor of 20 years, food safety outbreaks, lack of weather information, or the loss of medical coverage. People without medical coverage are more likely to show up at the emergency room with a non-emergency because they will be treated. That puts a strain on hospitals logistically and financially, and rural hospitals are particularly going to be hit hard by Medicaid cuts and many will close.
Also, a focus on Trump lets the rest of the Republicans off the hook. After all, who voted to seat those laughably inept cabinet members?
I've shared this with my journalism school family members. Trying what might be effective is worth it. I do have TDS, and I wish more were afflicted, but I can see that the propaganda pushed by the right wing causes a defensive reaction. Excellent points!!
This is an extremely insightful piece. And bravo to AP if they are doing this intentionally and strategically to actually get the truth out. People have been conditioned to view anything that smacks of political reporting either through their personal political lenses or as something to avoid. Alternative methods are required to get through the muck that makes the truth so hard to find.
The Industry-backed Crypto bill (called the “Genius Act”) is not yet getting the negative attention it deserves. Call your Senators now - including your Democratic Senators who do not seem to realize how bad this bill is. 202-225-3121.
https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/digital-corruption-takes-over-dc?utm_medium=ios
Bravo, bravissimo! The press and too many pro-democracy activists accord too much power to this entity called "Trump." They act like poster children for the unitary executive theory, even though they'd almost certainly oppose it if they knew what it was. The roots of this go way, way back in U.S. history, at least to the late 19th century, when talking about systems or the common good or pointing out the flaws in the "free market" (or, gods forbid, trying to organize a union) got you branded a commie pinko un-American anarchist, etc.
As to "partisan" -- I'd rather reserve the word for, say, those who resisted the Nazis before and during World War 2. I've been saying for many years that all the best candidates and officeholders are Democrats, but the Democratic *Party* is nothing to write home about. After decades of being "unenrolled" (in my state, Massachusetts, unenrolled voters can take the primary ballot of either party), I signed up as a Democrat after the 2016 election and became an officer in my local Dem group. The local group was (and is) great, but what I learned about the Democratic *Party* in this state and nationally led me to go back to being unenrolled after three terms in office.
I donate to campaigns, not to the party apparatus -- although I *am* seriously considering donating to the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State (DASS) and/or the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA). They're on the front lines, and they're doing crucial work.
The only way to defeat Trump is the same way we defeated LBJ in the late 1960s, and Nixon in the mid 1970s: massive and continual street protests.
This strategy is right on the money. I get exasperated when folks, such as Nicholas Kristof in the NYT, demand Trump has to be held accountable. If we have learned nothing else from Trump in the past decade, it is that his cult followers will NEVER hold him accountable. That's as true today as the day when he claimed he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and nobody would care. So we have to focus on his enablers -- the cowards in Congress. That's why Indivisible is raising money for billboards highlighting Republican votes to slash Medicaid. Carolina Forward posted photos of North Carolina reps noting how many Medicaid clients are in their districts and how they are getting dismissed. This is a winning midterm strategy. The cowards in Congress think they can keep their heads down and let Trump take the hits. Democrats are not foolish enough to let them off the hook.
Excellent
Mark - EXCELLENT advice. If only Trump followers read the newspapers.
Worthwhile even if only non-Trump followers read them.
. . . and if non-Trump followers have Trump followers in their families or circles of acquaintance.
Jonathan and Susanna - you are BOTH right!!
I LOVE this strategy. Decency vs. Cruelty is a great agenda to push. We need to get every democratic member of congress using this catch phrase in every interview they do. This is how the republicans move their messages along; they keep repeating the catch phrase until it becomes part of the daily vernacular. Michael Cohen has been trying to get the democrats to catch onto this as well, but I believe you have found the winning phrase, Mr. Jacob!
Keep leafing & we’ll do all we can to support your great work.
Biden’s accomplishments, particularly the Inflation Reduction Act, were largely ignored by journalists even though they were having significant positive impact on Americans. There seemed to be no space or time for coverage of the actual effects of government on our lives. Focusing on what is said rather than what is done is a recipe for problems.
Mark Jacobs continues to highlight both the need for strong media, and examples of media falling short. I re-read Marliss's comments. In a local Indivisible type group meeting, debate arose: who bears the onus of speaking out? Is it those in "safe" situations, especially concerning personal safety, not just democracy's? Some argued for at-risk individuals to share their stories. I contended today's risks (deportation, jail) differ from the '60s, making it crucial for the "safe" to amplify marginalized voices.
Media and elected officials still have the loudest megaphones to amplify what is happening.
www.jct.gov The bill
Absolutely correct about focusing on the verifiably terrible outcomes emanating from Republicans rather than getting 'personal' by challenging people on their allegiance to Trump. Both parties have personalized issues to the point that everything seems like an insult to everyone. I believe it is called identity politics. Of course, our identities have always been tightly bound to our political values.
However, it was never a good idea for us to allow ourselves to be turned into avatars of partisanship when talking politics. But, social media got us all talking politics, which then led us into expressing stuff in the most abrasive, confrontational way possible to strangers! Which is really bizarre if you think about it. We would never do this in person. If we did talk politics with a stranger, we would couch everything in the most detached way we could because if you make things too personal, you never know if you might receive a punch in the nose.
We do much better presenting verifiable facts with honest, relevant context so people can see what is at stake. We should appeal to their better angels by asking conscience pricking questions without accusing or shaming. These are basic human communication skills we need to rediscover. Because they work. It is infinitely more effective when people freely reach their own conclusions in their own way. Then, they will come to the partisanship themselves. And the partisanship will cut against Republicans. By de-personalizing politics, we allow space for growth.
(Of course this won't be 100%. But never let the perfect be the enemy of the good as the interwebs seems to imply we must.)
we need to take control of Congress and pass in amendment that blocks the vice president from pardoning and convicted president