A thought-provoking article for Progressives, originally published at AddictingInfo.org.
The author notes, correctly, that words have power and do more than just ‘frame’ arguments. They subtly affect how we evaluate issues. Below, Ms. Parker makes some useful suggestions on how to re-frame some sensitive political issues in ways that don’t prejudice the audience. (Or, perhaps prejudice them differently.)
A link to the article is at the bottom. The take-aways are these:
(1). Big Business: (Also referred to as: Corporate America; Multinationals; Corporate Interests) Instead, try: Unelected Government.
(2). Entitlements: Instead, try: Earned Benefits.
(3). Free Market Capitalism: (Also referred to as: Capitalism, Free Markets, and Supply-Side Economics) Instead, try: Socialized Risk, Privatized Profits.
(4). Government Spending: (Also referred to as: Taxes, Burden, and Inconvenient) Instead, try: Investing in America.
(5). Gun Control: Instead, try: Gun Safety.
(6). Illegal Aliens: Instead, try: Undocumented Residents.
(7). Pro-Life: Instead, try: Anti-Choice.
(8). Right-To-Work: Instead, try: Anti-Union. Several readers have also suggested: Right-To-Fire (without just cause).
(9). The Environment: Instead, try: Shared Resources.
(10). Welfare: Instead, try: Social Safety Net: