Conservative messages:
Deficit spending
Big government is the problem
Spending is the problem
Cut, don't raise taxes (tax relief)
Trickle down theory
Debt burden for children, grandchildren
Strong military (national security)
Entitlements (getting something for nothing)
Free market
Deregulation
Tax and spend liberals
Fear of inflation
Market confidence
Conservative narrative: When Republicans are in charge, deficits don't matter. When Democrats are in charge, deficits cause disaster. Blame Republican deficits on Democrats.
Progressive messages:
Bridge loan to the future (instead of deficit spending)
Protective and empowering government
Public good revenue (not taxes)
Close tax loopholes
End corporate tax avoidance
Managed market
Reduce size of military
End costly wars
Create jobs, unemployment relief
Public investment
Social safety net
Competitiveness
Subsidy relief
Shared prosperity
Progressive narrative: In good times, run a surplus, like Clinton. In bad times, borrow to prime the pump, like Roosevelt and Obama.
Words to avoid:
Entitlements. Use "earned benefits" instead.
Spending cuts. Substitute "service cuts".
Tax "relief". Refer to "tax loopholes" or "corporate welfare" or "subsidy relief". |
