Framing

One of the more interesting books I've read is the book, "Don't Think of an Elephant" which talks about how the Republicans have framed the debate these last years. Frames are mental structures that shape the way we see the world and are very important. For example, the Republicans coined the phrase "tax relief" instead of "tax cuts". When we think of relief, we know there must be an affliction. A remover therefore becomes a hero. Democrats who use the term "tax relief" are shooting themselves in the foot. They have let the Republicans frame the issue. Even when Al Gore explained that the tax cuts would only go to the top 1% of the very rich, folks still thought they were a good thing because they thought those folks deserved to keep their money. So George Bush's "tax relief" plan made him a hero.

So we get "compassionate conservatism" "clear skies initiative" "healthy forests", "no child left behind". How you frame the issue is vital to how it is conceived. This use of Orwellian language is language that means the opposite of what it says. It is this kind of Orwellian language that causes a piece of legislation that actually increases pollution to be called "the clear skies act".