General Discussion

Cirsium

(4,306 posts)

21. It is a distraction

Sun Jul 5, 2026, 10:27 PM

Sunday

No one is going to decide to vote Republican because Trump called Democrats communists. That's not the purpose of doing it. The purpose is to derail us, to distract us, to get us to defend ourselves, to get us to say, "no, no, we're not communists!" That's what looks weak to voters - reacting, justifying, denying. Meanwhile we aren't talking to the public about the issues, we are arguing with each other about labels. Score one for Trump.

We need to stop reacting in fear every time Republicans say "boo!" The public is looking for someone to fight for them, not someone to split hairs on the definitions of various ideologies.

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Scrivener7 CrispyQ ms liberty Starbeach

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Highlight:

It's time to push back against the fear porn [View all] EnergizedLib Sunday OP

Don't explain. Say, "We're Democrats. Here's what Democrats will do for you." Scrivener7 Sunday #1

People will want specifics, no? EnergizedLib Sunday #2

Start with Social Security and Medicare Raven123 Sunday #9

Social Security. Medicare. Medicaid. Affordable healthcare. Affordable groceries, for goodness sake. Scrivener7 Sunday #14

Hear, hear Cirsium Sunday #19

Also, the minute we start talking about "true definitions," to most people it's like the adults in Peanuts are talking. Scrivener7 Sunday #20

It is a distraction Cirsium Sunday #21

Well.... Cirsium Sunday #18

It evidently works EnergizedLib Sunday #22

Never mind them Cirsium Sunday #28

If you're explaining you're losing. Simplicity and brevity are critical in the ADHD culture. live love laugh Sunday #37

That's the perfect pivot and prevents the discussion from devolving Torchlight Sunday #4

Well, thank you! Another thing we ought to do is say, "The only ones pushing socialism are the Scrivener7 Sunday #13

So much this. ms liberty Monday #44

know your isms dweller Sunday #3

Can we pitch social programs and ditch the socialism word? EnergizedLib Sunday #7

Im good dweller Sunday #8

Me too EnergizedLib Sunday #10

Why not just "Democracy?" Scrivener7 Sunday #26

Because they call this s - - - "Democracy" blubunyip Monday #46

Call it a taxpayer benefit package, like employee benefits. CrispyQ Sunday #30

And yet, the other side markets so well EnergizedLib Sunday #31

They have studied their audience and know Scrivener7 Monday #43

One of the reasons republican marketing is so effective is cuz the dems never counter. -nt CrispyQ Monday #45

Another ism: Narcissism True Dough Sunday #27

That should be a t-shirt -misanthroptimist Sunday #32

And my favorite, Capitalism Polybius Monday #49

It's likely too late and pointless. J_William_Ryan Sunday #5

Well, we have to push back, don't we? EnergizedLib Sunday #6

No Cirsium Sunday #17

I'll agree. I've asked em..if your house catches fire, do you want the fire department or will your garden hose do? Deuxcents Sunday #36

All government jobs are a form of socialism. The Wizard Sunday #11

Unfettered capitalism EnergizedLib Sunday #15

I have no interest in learning anything from a tool designed to be a fluent conversationalist, not a factual one. n/t Ms. Toad Sunday #12

Don't take the bait Cirsium Sunday #16

Hypnosis Starbeach Monday #48

Exactly Cirsium Monday #50

You can't eliminate a century of stigma in a single post or election RandySF Sunday #23

So, what are we supposed to do? Take it? EnergizedLib Sunday #24

If we lose RandySF Sunday #25

AI wall of text post? No thanks. TommyT139 Sunday #29

Because fearmongering propaganda is a dangerous drug. Initech Sunday #33

Rush's legacy is alive and well EnergizedLib Sunday #34

An example of what comes to mind when many immigrants hear "socialism".. RandySF Sunday #35

Please stop using AI to source posts. intheflow Monday #38

Wait EnergizedLib Monday #39

You mean, did I post the right link? intheflow Monday #40

But did you mean EnergizedLib Monday #41

The homepage. intheflow Monday #42

Not afraid of republican insults. Blue Full Moon Monday #47

Reality: GOP voting counties contribute only 29% to the nation's overall economy. blm Monday #51

Yes, we've known that EnergizedLib Monday #52

Did you mean to start this paragraph with the word communism? applegrove Monday #53

Maybe I did EnergizedLib Monday #54

This message was self-deleted by its author applegrove Monday #55

This message was self-deleted by its author applegrove Monday #56

Can you fix it? applegrove Monday #56

I don't see what I messed up EnergizedLib Monday #58

Paragraph 4. It is in communism that the means of production are owned by the state. applegrove Monday #59