The Progressive Agenda is designed to help you promote progressive ideas in your statehouse. It focuses mostly on the substance of law and legislation, facts and figures. But to win our battles, we also need to carefully select the language we use. George Lakoff has done more than anyone to sound the message framing alert, arguing that conservatives—both Republican and Democratic—have mastered political linguistics while progressives—both Democratic and Republican—have failed “to put forth our moral vision, celebrate our values and principles, and shout them out loud.” . . . Our progressive values of freedom, opportunity, security and responsibility mean that:
1. Progressives stand for better wages and benefits for working Americans. Our economy should provide opportunities for all hard-working individuals and families to enjoy life. Therefore, we support legislation to increase the minimum wage.
2. Progressives stand for affordable, high-quality, health care for all. The security of comprehensive health insurance should be a right, not a privilege. Therefore, we support legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs through greater access to manufacturer rebates, bulk purchasing, and re-importation.
3. Progressives stand for building an education system that is the best in the world. Every child should have an equal opportunity to learn. Therefore, we support legislation to invest in our children’s education by recruiting well-qualified teachers, lowering class sizes, and developing more preschool and after-school programs.