Our Own Framing Language

Have you been wondering how best to make your progressive viewpoint concise, compelling? The framing subcommittee of the BlueWave NJ media reform group has worked to bring you over-riding progressive themes (based on those posted on Daily Kos) and have staked out positions on our values that break down using these headings. Before we take our language "on the road", we want our group to weigh in with comments. A word of congratulations for a job well done, wouldn't hurt either.

DEMOCRATIC/PROGRESSIVE CORE VALUES, THEMES AND FRAMES
THAT DEFINE WHO WE ARE

CORE VALUE: SMART GOVERNMENT
—Therefore we believe that:
• Taxes are an investment in our future. Patriotic Americans pay their fair share.
• Government should be accountable. Government should be responsive, transparent and fiscally responsible.
• There must be electoral reform.
• Government must be effective. It’s important to have a government that does a good job and looks out for its citizens.

CORE VALUE: OPPORTUNITY
—Therefore we believe in:
• Broad prosperity: The American Dream should be accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy. There should be a level playing field for all.
• Quality, affordable healthcare should be the right of all Americans.
• Hard-working Americans should be able to count on a retirement safety net of Social Security.
• Education, from Pre-K through college, as a great leveler.
• Tort laws to protect the little guys from Big Corporations.
• Non-regressive tax laws

CORE VALUE: PRIVACY
—Therefore we believe that:
• People should have the freedom to marry. The state shouldn’t be in the business of telling people who they can and can’t love.
• Family values means being caring, responsible and strong for each other.
• There should be freedom of—and from—religion, and private adult consensual behavior shouldn’t be regulated.
• Decisions about when to have children, the right to die, access to contraceptives and other personal decisions should be made by citizens, their doctors and loved ones, and not the government.

CORE VALUE: US LEADERSHIP
—Therefore we believe in:
• A stronger America that provides leadership on Global issues (terrorism, landmines, global warming etc.)
• Americans should be able to count on their president to present the truth.
• Preserving American liberties, building economic strength and international alliances while providing security for all Americans.
• Americans should be a champion of human rights, here and abroad.
• Leadership in science and technology (e.g. stem cells, alternative energy, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels)
• A strong United Nations/Internationalism

CORE VALUE: CONSERVATION
—Therefore we believe that:
• Americans should protect the environment for future generations through responsible stewardship. Environmental protection is good for the economy.