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Class Warfare: The Semantic Diversion
By Dwight C Douglas
We tend to simplify matters into Madison Avenue phrases to aid the comprehension of the masses. In the argument phase of the seduction of the American public, our so-called leaders boil things down and manufacture semantic diversions.
These diversions are meant to keep us from asking more questions. Eisenhower created the “domino theory”, which Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon used to justify our involvement in Southeast Asia. Vietnam was a domino that just couldn’t fall, well, it did.
The revenge sequence in the movie BUSH II begins with the intriguing myth of “weapons of mass destruction” or WMD for those who prefer text to talking. With that one little phrase, we sent our men and women into battle and destroyed the lives of thousands of families.
We use catchy titles for military actions like “Desert Storm” or “Shock and awe”, and “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” All those words divert our minds away from asking more questions, like; “How much will it cost?”, “How many civilians in the conflict will lose their lives?” And of course, “Why is sexual-orientation the basis of whether someone can defend their country?” Didn’t we already fight to gain the freedoms that we so slowly give to all?
Now we have the issue of money and how “Joe the plumber” was so against sharing the wealth of this great nation. The Republican propagation machine attempted to paint our soon to be president as a “socialist.” This tactic was a diversion that actually planted the seed that eventually grew into the 99% movement. Why not share the wealth? Isn’t that the spirit of the term, “commonwealth?”
We know that facts. On a bad day, corporations pay around 12% of their profits to the government. Rich owners and investors only pay 15%. If you don’t believe me, ask Mitt Romney. Yes, it’s part of the capital gains tax code that was created, not by the people, but by those it would help most. The common man and woman in this country, affectionately known as the middle-class, pay more like 29.1% of their wages to the I.R.S. Why is that?
The anti-logic-force in the political theater these days says we Americans must continue this myth of “trickle-down economics.” This semantic diversion promoted by our actor-president Ronald Reagan was the early attempt to position the more fortunate as “job creators.” This is just another trick to dull the pain of lower taxes for these chosen people. Are the unalienable powers of our job creators so sacred we have to build their pyramids and finance their power?
From the beginning of Obama’s march to the White House, he has stuck to his message that the loopholes and tax structure was wrong. Warren Buffet isn’t the only billionaire who thinks the percentages are embarrassing. If a job creator’s corporation only pays 12% tax, why are they nervous about paying a fair share?
When the President keeps making this point, the old line Republican strategist came up with a nifty way to deflect, divert, but in this case, unfortunately, to equally divide the nation. We are divided economically by our bottom lines and that is not something any party can divert away.
Does “class warfare” fit the bill as an antidote for that stack of bills sitting on the table waiting to be paid? We all know it doesn’t. The phrase is simply pouring $4-a-gallon gasoline on the fire of frustration that all the middle-class feels when they write those checks. And for the very poor, it just might be a war cry.
The famous advertising geniuses Ries and Trout use the term the implication of the opposite to describe when a slogan, even well-meaning, produces the opposite comprehension. Or worse, actually makes the consumer like the other guys product more. The “brain-trust” at the RNC probably will never read this, but I am of the firm belief that using the phrase, class warfare, actually promotes the concept. As they regurgitate their mantra, more and more people join the cause.
Class warfare makes a good story. Just watch the award winning movie, The Help. It’s a story that tugs at the heart strings of all humans and citizens. What resonates with people is that distance between the caretakers and homemakers. Why was that? Why did the white people live in such denial? Today we ask, why is there a greater chunk of our paychecks taken away than those who can so easily afford it? Maybe we are just “the help” that keep things running at the I.R.S.
Every time a candidate uses the semantic diversion, class warfare, they keep the issue front and center. Obama will continue his bulldog determination on this issue, because it will help lower the debt and equalize the playing field for Americans. The other side will keep the pressure on him, like the snapping turtle, holding on to its prey until the sun comes up. In the light of day, their semantic diversion, class warfare, will finally reveal itself as a large stick that will be used against them.
By Dwight C Douglas
We tend to simplify matters into Madison Avenue phrases to aid the comprehension of the masses. In the argument phase of the seduction of the American public, our so-called leaders boil things down and manufacture semantic diversions.
These diversions are meant to keep us from asking more questions. Eisenhower created the “domino theory”, which Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon used to justify our involvement in Southeast Asia. Vietnam was a domino that just couldn’t fall, well, it did.
The revenge sequence in the movie BUSH II begins with the intriguing myth of “weapons of mass destruction” or WMD for those who prefer text to talking. With that one little phrase, we sent our men and women into battle and destroyed the lives of thousands of families.
We use catchy titles for military actions like “Desert Storm” or “Shock and awe”, and “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” All those words divert our minds away from asking more questions, like; “How much will it cost?”, “How many civilians in the conflict will lose their lives?” And of course, “Why is sexual-orientation the basis of whether someone can defend their country?” Didn’t we already fight to gain the freedoms that we so slowly give to all?
Now we have the issue of money and how “Joe the plumber” was so against sharing the wealth of this great nation. The Republican propagation machine attempted to paint our soon to be president as a “socialist.” This tactic was a diversion that actually planted the seed that eventually grew into the 99% movement. Why not share the wealth? Isn’t that the spirit of the term, “commonwealth?”
We know that facts. On a bad day, corporations pay around 12% of their profits to the government. Rich owners and investors only pay 15%. If you don’t believe me, ask Mitt Romney. Yes, it’s part of the capital gains tax code that was created, not by the people, but by those it would help most. The common man and woman in this country, affectionately known as the middle-class, pay more like 29.1% of their wages to the I.R.S. Why is that?
The anti-logic-force in the political theater these days says we Americans must continue this myth of “trickle-down economics.” This semantic diversion promoted by our actor-president Ronald Reagan was the early attempt to position the more fortunate as “job creators.” This is just another trick to dull the pain of lower taxes for these chosen people. Are the unalienable powers of our job creators so sacred we have to build their pyramids and finance their power?
From the beginning of Obama’s march to the White House, he has stuck to his message that the loopholes and tax structure was wrong. Warren Buffet isn’t the only billionaire who thinks the percentages are embarrassing. If a job creator’s corporation only pays 12% tax, why are they nervous about paying a fair share?
When the President keeps making this point, the old line Republican strategist came up with a nifty way to deflect, divert, but in this case, unfortunately, to equally divide the nation. We are divided economically by our bottom lines and that is not something any party can divert away.
Does “class warfare” fit the bill as an antidote for that stack of bills sitting on the table waiting to be paid? We all know it doesn’t. The phrase is simply pouring $4-a-gallon gasoline on the fire of frustration that all the middle-class feels when they write those checks. And for the very poor, it just might be a war cry.
The famous advertising geniuses Ries and Trout use the term the implication of the opposite to describe when a slogan, even well-meaning, produces the opposite comprehension. Or worse, actually makes the consumer like the other guys product more. The “brain-trust” at the RNC probably will never read this, but I am of the firm belief that using the phrase, class warfare, actually promotes the concept. As they regurgitate their mantra, more and more people join the cause.
Class warfare makes a good story. Just watch the award winning movie, The Help. It’s a story that tugs at the heart strings of all humans and citizens. What resonates with people is that distance between the caretakers and homemakers. Why was that? Why did the white people live in such denial? Today we ask, why is there a greater chunk of our paychecks taken away than those who can so easily afford it? Maybe we are just “the help” that keep things running at the I.R.S.
Every time a candidate uses the semantic diversion, class warfare, they keep the issue front and center. Obama will continue his bulldog determination on this issue, because it will help lower the debt and equalize the playing field for Americans. The other side will keep the pressure on him, like the snapping turtle, holding on to its prey until the sun comes up. In the light of day, their semantic diversion, class warfare, will finally reveal itself as a large stick that will be used against them.
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COMMONSENSEFORCOMMONGOOD_COM
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CLASS WARFARE! Never stop chanting it and never let the People forget that Corporatocracy, represented by the 1%, have been waging economic war against the 99% for a least half a century, and they are paying your congressmen to bury their swords and spears deep into your hearts and bank acccounts.
Another spin is Romney's use of "envy politics" as a spin on the resentment and hostility that the 99% have for the 1% for stealing our money and sending our soldiers to their deaths in the Mid East for corporate profits. But the People can make the distinction between the intent to get our stolen money back and envy of those in possession of stolen property.
- 3 months ago
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COMMONSENSEFORCOMMONGOOD_COM
