Part of the reason why the Republicans appear to be driving the healthcare reform debate with their loony criticisms of the "Democratic plan" is because there is no Republican plan. If there were, then we could use the same strategies that they are using. This isn't to say that we should start using such strategies, just that if we could use them, then I think the Repugs would STFU.
Of course, in reality there is no Democratic Plan. What this generally refers to is of course HR 3200, probably because it is the most coherent and viable congressional proposal to date. But let that pass...
However, the premise of this coordinated attack, that there is no Republican plan that can be used to counter-attack, is false. In fact, there is a Republican insurance plan: the status quo. This is something that we all know about, that we are all very familiar with, and something that it should be very easy to counterattack effectively.
What I propose is that we start using the expression the "Republican Insurance Plan" to refer to the status quo. All of the healthcare horror stories that have led to the need for reform, are the product of the RIP.
Take Moore's sicko for example: every time the "current American heath insurance system" is blamed for something, just plug in the RIP. Anyone who is trying to block all reform with no alternative of their own is directly supporting the status quo, so why not tag them with all of the defiencies of the status quo?
Now if the Republicans manage to come up with a viable alternative, then this strategy would no longer be needed or even usable. But I don't think they will precisely because of the huge rhetorical advantage they have in never needing to play defense, only offense.
So, that's it, a one-idea diary. But I think that it is worth considering. For one thing, it might give progressive ad-makers a better target to attack.
The Republican Insurance Plan: RIP.
Think about it.
Greg Shenaut