David Brauer wrote: "If Republicans want to make more of an effort in Minneapolis, I welcome them. They need to abandon their cartoonish view of the city, though."
But: I'm inclined to start off with, "With all due respect...." However, I shan't because I've always suspected that what someone saying that really means is, "With absolutely no respect to you and your dumb ideas...." But I am beginning to think that we can't count on the Republicans to abandon their "cartoonish view of the city." That's because that "cartoonish" view is part of the metaphor about life that Republicans have sold and are continuing to sell to the public. And, more important, it is the metaphor on which they have won elections. Instead of counting on the Republicans to abandon a metaphor that has made them electorally successful thus far, Democrats need to state a contrary metaphor that appeals to the voters better than that of the Republicans. Want to find out more? There are at least three books out on the point right now. They are: "Don't Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate--The Essential Guide for Progressives" by George Lakoff "Moral Politics : How Liberals and Conservatives Think" by George Lakoff "What's the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America" by Thomas Frank While the books are general and don't deal with Minneapolis, I'd suggest that David and everyone else read them and think about how they might apply to Minneapolis politics in the future. Steve Cross Prospect Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
