Right now there is no question that, on the merits in the health care debate, the progressives have far better plans than the right wing (who have no plan at all) but the media battle has been abysmal in favoring the status quo and the forces of fear mongering. A big part of the problem, I believe, is that the 'public option' -- which undeniably would save massive resources for both the government and consumers -- is about the worst way to communicate what people will get, and why they should want it. This is reflected in the polls decidedly favoring the government sponsoring health insurance availability for everyone, like Medicare but with a reasonable premium, but very weak responses to the words 'public option' and continual media nattering that a public option is a left wing idea designed to get a government monopoly on health insurance.
Progressives need to break this disconnect, and quickly. Otherwise the risk of losing is too great. How do we do it?
We need to reposition and re-pivot the debate, and words do matter.
What is the public option, in substance, and why should people want it?
Simply, it is a free choice extension of Medicare to everyone, but with a reasonable premium for non-seniors and adjusted rates for providers.
What is this? -- "MEDICARE PLUS."
Medicare is one of the most popular benefits around, even if people don't understand it is government run. People will fight to save it -- even a right wing nut job suffering from projection and cognitive dissonance.
What will people fight to get -- MEDICARE PLUS.
This is right on substance and words matter. People have to understand this debate better. If they do, the forces of progressivism and common sense will win.
But we need to do a much better job of communicating our central message of what we are offering and why people should agree this is the way to go.
There is not much time, but we can still win this debate.
What are we offering? -- MEDICARE PLUS!
Let's see the right wing argue against that.