Fabulous way to respond to the opportunity in this moment--thank you! I'm remembering Brene Brown's aphorism: strong backs, soft fronts, wild hearts.
I think we would be wise to look for ways to build an independent pro-democracy movement that can assist Dems this cycle, AND that will outlast the next few elections. I am looking for inspiration to the long-term plan the state Dem party has used in Wisconsin (big picture with awareness of distant timelines), and also the Serbian pro-democracy movement Otpor! that ousted Slobodan Milosevic (creative organizing with youth, humor, non-violence, music and drama used with skill). https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/bringing-dictator-english/
Memes, hats, slogans, posters are all marketing currency - why are the Democrats not leveraging art and creativity to tell the story of the common American person that we can relate to?
I generally vote Democratic. I'm busy, rarely read the voter pamphlet, relate with people as people not as members of a political party club. I share simple core values and heart with most of my rural neighbors. We all care about each other in a genuine way that transcends politics. Democrats in politics generally feel stiff, judgemental, out of touch. I love America, I love the world community, I love the Earth. But only political Republicans can proudly fly the American flag, why is this? Only Democrats can be Progressive, why is that? Only gun toting right wing revolutionaries are Survivalists, what's up with that? I vote Democratic, but I identify as a Patriotic (I love our country and flag), Independent (I love freedom of thought), Progressive (I love forward thinking, solving problems, imagining our future), Survivalist (I love our Earth and share this love, concern, and care with my rural neighbors). I don't have political answers, or maybe any answers, but as a nation we seem mired in ineffective simplistic immature dualstic ways of traditional thinking, where "dueling" is inherent, this OR that, with me or against me. I think the answers are somewhere in a different way of thinking...this AND that, non dualistic thinking and caring. That's what most of us are living out here in the forest, tapped into our hearts, focused on what we truly have in common, not on our differences or politics. My 2 cents for today. PIPS. PATRIOTIC, INDEPENDENT, PROGRESSIVE, SURVIVALISTS.
On symbols and emotion. Since 2016, anti MAGA had the time to develop their own brand and acronym. Anti-Trump/MAGA consistenly came up with messaging like (‘Bidenomics”)
I propose you and your readers hold a grassroots contest, to propose acronyms with both emotion and symbols.
During Iowa’s debates book banning, I tried to dramatize and list my values on book banning, I proposed an acronym for FREEDOM: Fighting Restrictions, Endorsing Education, Defending Open Minds. These phrases supported open books and libraries (and open minds). I know; it won’t fit on a shirt, let alone a hat. This acronym encapsulates the values of opposing book bans and promoting freedom of information and education. Book banning passed in Iowa, but the opposition did a good job of winning the messaging wars and educating our red state.
Last spring, on my substack I also proposed PROGRESS. Promoting Respect. Open-mindedness, Global cooperation, Rational policies, Equity, Social justice Sustainability. This acronym highlights positive values and principles that contrast with the MAGA movement-exactly what is missing in Project 2025.
FREEDOM and PROGRESS fit in my values as an Iowan. I will leave it up to you to figure out how to find less intellectual, shorter acronyms that fion a hat or shirt.
Pro-freedom, pro-democracy, anti-MAGA hats are available at FREEDOM2024.us. They're blue, union-made and I'm selling them below my cost! In fact, if you use code: NOTRUMP the hat is free, and if you also use code: NOMAGA, shipping is free. Seriously! Let's do this. You can reach me at matt@2020unity.us
Also, I boil the slogan down to FOR - Freedom, Opportunity and Respect. FOR ALL.
I think we are witnessing a generational change, and it can't happen soon enough. Like Bernie always says, this is a movement, and the pendulum is still slowing down rather than accelerating in a different direction.
I love the 10 steps, but the first we need an open process to nominate a presidential candidate. Americans never voted for Kamala Harris as a presidential candidate. The Washington Post editorial board calls for an open process. Opinion 7/22/24 "With Biden stepping aside, Democrats must now embrace an open process"
"Mr. Biden’s decision creates an opportunity for a reset, not only for his party but also for U.S. politics generally, through a competitive nomination process among future national leaders.
The logistics of a compressed nominating contest would not necessarily be hard. France just held snap elections without a hitch. All the delegates and superdelegates are already selected and set to convene in Chicago. Democrats would not even have to schedule primaries: Debates among the top contenders would do."
Thank you for making these great points, tying several of them into the often forgotten fact (forgotten by the Democrats) that voters need their emotions to be engaged in order to pull the lever in that voting booth. Nobody goes in there with an Infograph in the back of their mind of all the things that a candidate has done for them in the past, but they vote with love and excitement for their candidate, or with fear and loathing of the opposition. And notably, in this election, we will do both. But anyone who doubts the importance of emotionality in voting and campaigning should read the great interview with Chris Murphy.
very well said, entirely agree... though the title ought to be "How Democrats Can Beat Trump." Frankly, I don't think Harris can deliver on this agenda... to build a proper IRL movement requires someone the base can rally behind, and she isn't it (prosecutorial record, association with Biden/Gaza, etc).
I would be far more excited about an Abrams/Whitmer ticket (Abrams for president): someone capable of rallying the base, AND someone with a record of governing in a swing state with bipartisan support.
Spoke to my 2 20-somethings who are both avidly pro peace in Gaza, were repelled by Biden, as were their friends. Both will vote for Harris, one excitedly so. Said she’s blown up in a positive way on Gen z TikTok. I was surprised. Look up “brat” Harris, Gen Z . Even WaPo had article.
Fabulous way to respond to the opportunity in this moment--thank you! I'm remembering Brene Brown's aphorism: strong backs, soft fronts, wild hearts.
I think we would be wise to look for ways to build an independent pro-democracy movement that can assist Dems this cycle, AND that will outlast the next few elections. I am looking for inspiration to the long-term plan the state Dem party has used in Wisconsin (big picture with awareness of distant timelines), and also the Serbian pro-democracy movement Otpor! that ousted Slobodan Milosevic (creative organizing with youth, humor, non-violence, music and drama used with skill). https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/bringing-dictator-english/
We can do this!
Great article and references. Now please, forward it to the Democratic Party leaders for then to advise Kamala .......
Memes, hats, slogans, posters are all marketing currency - why are the Democrats not leveraging art and creativity to tell the story of the common American person that we can relate to?
I generally vote Democratic. I'm busy, rarely read the voter pamphlet, relate with people as people not as members of a political party club. I share simple core values and heart with most of my rural neighbors. We all care about each other in a genuine way that transcends politics. Democrats in politics generally feel stiff, judgemental, out of touch. I love America, I love the world community, I love the Earth. But only political Republicans can proudly fly the American flag, why is this? Only Democrats can be Progressive, why is that? Only gun toting right wing revolutionaries are Survivalists, what's up with that? I vote Democratic, but I identify as a Patriotic (I love our country and flag), Independent (I love freedom of thought), Progressive (I love forward thinking, solving problems, imagining our future), Survivalist (I love our Earth and share this love, concern, and care with my rural neighbors). I don't have political answers, or maybe any answers, but as a nation we seem mired in ineffective simplistic immature dualstic ways of traditional thinking, where "dueling" is inherent, this OR that, with me or against me. I think the answers are somewhere in a different way of thinking...this AND that, non dualistic thinking and caring. That's what most of us are living out here in the forest, tapped into our hearts, focused on what we truly have in common, not on our differences or politics. My 2 cents for today. PIPS. PATRIOTIC, INDEPENDENT, PROGRESSIVE, SURVIVALISTS.
On symbols and emotion. Since 2016, anti MAGA had the time to develop their own brand and acronym. Anti-Trump/MAGA consistenly came up with messaging like (‘Bidenomics”)
I propose you and your readers hold a grassroots contest, to propose acronyms with both emotion and symbols.
During Iowa’s debates book banning, I tried to dramatize and list my values on book banning, I proposed an acronym for FREEDOM: Fighting Restrictions, Endorsing Education, Defending Open Minds. These phrases supported open books and libraries (and open minds). I know; it won’t fit on a shirt, let alone a hat. This acronym encapsulates the values of opposing book bans and promoting freedom of information and education. Book banning passed in Iowa, but the opposition did a good job of winning the messaging wars and educating our red state.
Last spring, on my substack I also proposed PROGRESS. Promoting Respect. Open-mindedness, Global cooperation, Rational policies, Equity, Social justice Sustainability. This acronym highlights positive values and principles that contrast with the MAGA movement-exactly what is missing in Project 2025.
FREEDOM and PROGRESS fit in my values as an Iowan. I will leave it up to you to figure out how to find less intellectual, shorter acronyms that fion a hat or shirt.
Pro-freedom, pro-democracy, anti-MAGA hats are available at FREEDOM2024.us. They're blue, union-made and I'm selling them below my cost! In fact, if you use code: NOTRUMP the hat is free, and if you also use code: NOMAGA, shipping is free. Seriously! Let's do this. You can reach me at matt@2020unity.us
Also, I boil the slogan down to FOR - Freedom, Opportunity and Respect. FOR ALL.
Fantastic post. Will keep this.
Great insights - focus on #s 2 and 10 will present a positive that most folks are seeking.
If we make #2 much more specific and relevant to those we discuss it with
AMEN🙏
I think we are witnessing a generational change, and it can't happen soon enough. Like Bernie always says, this is a movement, and the pendulum is still slowing down rather than accelerating in a different direction.
A tip of the hat to @MattKoll
Just ordered by blue FREEDOM hat. Thank you
I love the 10 steps, but the first we need an open process to nominate a presidential candidate. Americans never voted for Kamala Harris as a presidential candidate. The Washington Post editorial board calls for an open process. Opinion 7/22/24 "With Biden stepping aside, Democrats must now embrace an open process"
"Mr. Biden’s decision creates an opportunity for a reset, not only for his party but also for U.S. politics generally, through a competitive nomination process among future national leaders.
The logistics of a compressed nominating contest would not necessarily be hard. France just held snap elections without a hitch. All the delegates and superdelegates are already selected and set to convene in Chicago. Democrats would not even have to schedule primaries: Debates among the top contenders would do."
Thank you for making these great points, tying several of them into the often forgotten fact (forgotten by the Democrats) that voters need their emotions to be engaged in order to pull the lever in that voting booth. Nobody goes in there with an Infograph in the back of their mind of all the things that a candidate has done for them in the past, but they vote with love and excitement for their candidate, or with fear and loathing of the opposition. And notably, in this election, we will do both. But anyone who doubts the importance of emotionality in voting and campaigning should read the great interview with Chris Murphy.
very well said, entirely agree... though the title ought to be "How Democrats Can Beat Trump." Frankly, I don't think Harris can deliver on this agenda... to build a proper IRL movement requires someone the base can rally behind, and she isn't it (prosecutorial record, association with Biden/Gaza, etc).
I would be far more excited about an Abrams/Whitmer ticket (Abrams for president): someone capable of rallying the base, AND someone with a record of governing in a swing state with bipartisan support.
Spoke to my 2 20-somethings who are both avidly pro peace in Gaza, were repelled by Biden, as were their friends. Both will vote for Harris, one excitedly so. Said she’s blown up in a positive way on Gen z TikTok. I was surprised. Look up “brat” Harris, Gen Z . Even WaPo had article.
Yes, my Gen Z who was going to vote third party as a protest vote is now rethinking that strategy since VP Harris is now a strong possibility.