# Should democrats rethink "defund police" and push for law and order? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 15, 2020, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677 "2020-09-15T12:04:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/143 "2020-09-22T01:39:50Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > BTW, I think “Defund the Police” is tone deaf. It’s been explained a million times and I get the explanation -sort of- but if you have to explain a three word slogan a million times it’s tone deaf. So much this. I’ve heard the careful explanation. And I’m mostly in board with the goals. But… A political slogan that needs careful explanation to sound not-horrible to someone who basically supports it is a bad slogan. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/144 "2020-09-22T01:42:43Z")
To those of you who have a problem with “defund the police” What did you think it meant? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/145 "2020-09-22T04:46:05Z")
stop paying for police. That’s what “defund” usually means. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/146 "2020-09-22T04:48:22Z")
Right, but then what? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/147 "2020-09-22T04:49:35Z")
That’s exactly my problem – then no police, no policing. I mean, I kinda want someone to answer the phone if I call 911. And it sounds stupid, because of course that’s not what people want, so they seem to be asking for anarchy. I think “demilitarize the police” would have been a better slogan. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/148 "2020-09-22T04:56:20Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > To those of you who have a problem with “defund the police” > What did you think it meant That question has been answered many times in this thread, you know. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/149 "2020-09-22T04:59:49Z")
See that’s what mystifies me. That anyone would suggest just getting rid of the police without some sort of plan in place. “defund the police” is just a three word synopsis of the movement. Did you really think that it was a movement to just end all law and order? More than just the police answer the phone now when you call 911, why would anyone think that it would go away? I dont wont to pick on you. youre not the only one to have said that they didnt like the movement till they learned more about it. but isnt that a bug of all slogans? you need more info to truly understand! I mean is the Black Lives Matter movement over when everyone agrees that yes, Black lives matter? Or just how the hell do you Make America Great Again? No slogan contains the actual detailed gameplan. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > I think “demilitarize the police” would have been a better slogan. That would be a good slogan for a different movement. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/150 "2020-09-22T05:06:48Z")
I was replying to **puzzlegal** just in case that wasnt clear. And to you **Czarcasm** I dont think it has been answered. there are many in this thread who just dismiss it out of hand because they cant envision a world without police But i’m specifically asking people who say that they support the movement (either wholly or in part) now, but didn’t when they just heard the slogan. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/151 "2020-09-22T12:14:02Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > That anyone would suggest just getting rid of the police without some sort of plan in place. > “defund the police” is just a three word synopsis of the movement. Did you really think that it was a movement to just end all law and order? People support all sorts of dumb stuff. People support things without thinking through the consequences all the time. Heck, “medicare for all” gets way higher approval ratings if you don’t mention it comes with higher taxes for most. And that’s why the slogan is “medicare for all”, not “higher taxes for most”. Because slogans are supposed to sound appealing – they are a form of advertising. That’s why it’s “make American Great Again” and not “put Blacks in their place”. That’s why it’s “Black Lives Matter” and not “Fuck the Police”. And that’s why “defund the police” is a terrible slogan. The movement might have great goals, but there’s no way that slogan will help to achieve them. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/152 "2020-09-22T12:16:20Z")
Also, the guy I first heard “defund the police” from, and who supports it most vigorously, also says “kill all the landlords”. I mean, why should I believe he is in favor of police protecting anything? ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/153 "2020-09-22T12:22:16Z")
“Law and Order” has often meant, “Let the police do whatever they want and don’t interfere in any way.” We need police who not only enforce the law but hold themselves accountable for obeying it as well. That’s the only thing that will create trust and heal wounds. However, I do feel that “defund” is a very poor term because it implies “eliminate” rather than “repair”. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/154 "2020-09-22T12:24:36Z")
“Fix the Police” would be a fine slogan. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/155 "2020-09-22T13:21:49Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Also, the guy I first heard “defund the police” from, and who supports it most vigorously, also says “kill all the landlords”. Was it Tyrone Green, Prisoner Poet? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/156 "2020-09-22T13:26:06Z")
No, just some guy on another internet chat site that I interact with. But he is very gung ho for “defund the police”. And the first time I asked him what people who said that wanted, he helpfully replied, “I think they want to defund the police”. So that might have influenced my reaction to the slogan. But seeing as I am not alone… I’ve voting for “really piss-poor slogan”. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/157 "2020-09-22T13:26:54Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > “Fix the Police” would be a fine slogan. That “fix” is also slang for “neuter” makes it even better, really. ---
**Author:** ![Kearsen1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Kearsen1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kearsen1)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/158 "2020-09-22T14:17:28Z")
Sounds a lot like cancel culture (only you don’t think the lady should have done it) ---
**Author:** ![Skunkdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Skunkdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skunkdog)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/159 "2020-09-22T14:32:40Z")
It doesn’t matter what you call it. The right will say that all Democrats want to get rid of the police and their followers will eat it up like the sheep they are (just as they have about socialism, gun seizures, live abortions, etc. ad nauseum). Tailoring the message should only be done if it appeals more to your own constituents. The opposition will create its own narrative. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/160 "2020-09-22T15:32:17Z")
How about we emphasize a slogan that police have had on their vehicles for decades, but seem to overlook: **"To Protect and To Serve."** ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/161 "2020-09-22T15:41:33Z")
How does that sound like cancel culture? Sounded like a cop falsely accusing McDonald’s employees of trying to kill her. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2020, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677/162 "2020-09-22T15:51:28Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Also, the guy I first heard “defund the police” from, and who supports it most vigorously, also says “kill all the landlords”. > > I mean, why should I believe he is in favor of police protecting anything? Since Biden and most democrats are not in favor of “defund the police” almost all the examples presented here are just [nutpicking](https://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/nutpicking) examples. It follows the misleading republican talking points. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-rethink-defund-police-and-push-for-law-and-order/920677.md?page=9)