Rachel Neumann writes that "despite Bush's dismal approval ratings, the war of the frames -- how we talk about the big news and big ideas in the culture sphere -- was won by the conservatives in 2005. Think of the catch phrases of the year: The 'War on Terrorism,' 'Intelligent Design,' the 'War on Christmas,'even 'cut and run'"
Neuman zeros in on five issues that progressives can take the initiative around to help clarify the issues so that the real majority of democratic and fair minded people can defeat the theocratic coalition gathered around Bush. One of the most interesting parts of her essay for Unitarian Universalists is her argument that in the debate between the frames "life" versus "choice" most people will choose life over the abstract freedom that the supporters of reproductive freedom have held up. She points out "that 'choice' was not always the key factor in determining whether they have abortions; often economic, social, personal or other factors they didn't have control over forced their decisions. Yet despite a new urgency to protect reproductive rights, progressives still flounder when it comes to how to talk about it."
Religious liberals can make a contribution for democracy, and for our values by learning to communicate our vision for a fair and democratic society.
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