Why can't [won't?] Dems "frame" issues like the GOP does?

[Jackmannii]

Originally Posted by Jas09

The Democrats do frame the issues. They wouldn't be a viable political entity if they didn't.

Talking about the rich "paying their fair share" or about the "Buffett rule" are certainly framings of the issue of taxation.*

Yes, that's a good example. Or charging that "Republicans voted to end Medicare", which is a terrific way to shut down any rational debate about controlling Medicare costs.

*Or "framing" tax increases as "revenue enhancement". Or "framing" Republican refusal to consider any tax hike as part of a balanced budget plan as "Republicans just want to help the rich". The sort of tax cuts they favor would "help" everyone in the short run and be disastrous longer-term, but discussing that in an honest way is politically disastrous in the short-term, so it's much easier to yammer about Republicans being for the Rich.

[Euphonious Polemic]

Or, one could frame reasonable debate over whether or not raising taxes should be part of an overall budget plan to lower the deficit, and call it "yammering"

[Jackmannii]

Originally Posted by Euphonious Polemic

Or, one could frame reasonable debate over whether or not raising taxes should be part of an overall budget plan to lower the deficit, and call it "yammering"

I'm all for raising taxes as part of an overall budget plan to lower the deficit (any realistic plan relies on a general tax hike along with lowered spending). If you don't like the term "yammering" in reference to the idea that raising taxes solely on the very wealthy will have any meaningful budget impact, we can substitute "pretending".

[Tristan]

Originally Posted by Jackmannii

I'm all for raising taxes as part of an overall budget plan to lower the deficit (any realistic plan relies on a general tax hike along with lowered spending). If you don't like the term "yammering" in reference to the idea that raising taxes solely on the very wealthy will have any meaningful budget impact, we can substitute "pretending".

Well, even if both sides could agree to raise taxes (an idea the republicans are almost always dead-set against, no matter what), the base problem is that the two sides are way waaaaay far apart on what is acceptable to cut.

Republicans will cut medicaid, welfare, money for schools, and government agencies like the EPA.

Democrats will not cut those things, if they can avoid it, but will cut the military budget. Which the republicans will fight against.

In addition, the democrats also would like to close tax loopholes and benefits for big businesses, so that companies like Boeing and GE could maybe pay a bit of Federal taxes, instead of paying $0 dollars like they have for years. IF they are people, how come they don't pay taxes like people?

[Euphonious Polemic]

Originally Posted by Jackmannii

I'm all for raising taxes as part of an overall budget plan to lower the deficit (any realistic plan relies on a general tax hike along with lowered spending).

That's terrific. It puts you in the majority of Americans. It also puts you so far outside of the Republican thought, and the actual words spoken by Republican leaders at the moment that you might as well have "I am a communist" tattooed on your forehead.

[magellan01]

Why can't [won't?] Dems "frame" issues like the GOP does?

They do. Framing their side of the abortion debate as Pro-Choice is one example of it done very well. The call to have richer people "pay their fair share" is another example, though a really dumb and dishonest way to frame a debate that is worthy of more.

[Jackmannii]

Originally Posted by Euphonious Polemic

That's terrific. It puts you in the majority of Americans. It also puts you so far outside of the Republican thought, and the actual words spoken by Republican leaders at the moment that you might as well have "I am a communist" tattooed on your forehead.

Will the majority of Americans vote for a candidate who is honest about the need for an across-the-board tax hike? Color me doubtful.

I am pleased to be so far out of both the Republican and Democratic mainstream.