Solution Details 5 of 5: The Positive Propaganda Campaign   "What would be better?"   The progressive movement is necessarily in the position of being critical of the status quo.  It is counterproductive to speak only of what is wrong, therefore efforts must be overtly focused on "What would be better?"   This is not a rhetorical question as it prompts the imagination, suggests abandoning apathy, and allows every individual's response to qualify as a vision for benchmarking progress.  It would be difficult, if not foolish, to argue against striving for a tomorrow that is better than today. "What would be better?" creates an active role for all to participate in defining "better".  Such a context for progress will also facilitate reclaiming a word that never warranted the "dirty" stigma or association with the extreme left.  Progress means moving forward, not to the left or right.  "What would be better?" is non partisan.   "What would be better?" is simple and easy to remember.  "What would be better?", used as propaganda, will work subliminally to create a wholesale change of attitude.  "What would be better?" has versatility of appeal.  When discussing why a position is being advocated,  progressive candidates and organizations can claim that a proposal serves to answer the question "What would be better?"  When complaints are heard from anywhere, the question "What would be better?" serves to channel energy towards specific, solution-oriented brainstorming.  Beyond individual-level communication, "What would be better?" is a powerful and thought-provoking slogan on the order of "What would Jesus drive?"  This will work effectively on posters, handbills, picket signs and other forms of mass communication.   "What would it look like if..."   Stimulating the imagination of the displaced, disenfranchised and dissatisfied can only serve the interests of progress.  People who have given up will again see possibility.  Those struggling will receive inspiration and motivation.  Those in power will be tilted into action.  "What would it look like if..." is an especially powerful phrase because it serves to conjure an image in the mind's eye of every individual.  "What would it look like if..." also lends itself to the visual depiction of any solution derived from asking "What would be better?"  "What would it look like if..." begs the juxtaposition of status quo with specific preferred remedy.  Conversely, it can also be used to demonstrate the shortsightedness of harmful proposed changes (such as Patriot II or privatization of water).   "Keep your mind open...the future's coming."   On its face, "Keep your mind open...the future's coming." might not seem to be saying anything.  The future is coming regardless of what we do or say or think.  This represents the kernel of truth all propaganda must have.  The suggestion to keep one's mind open is the confounding factor that either gets dismissed or works to encourage and inspire.  There is little to be gained by refuting this notion.  "Keep your mind open...the future's coming." extends the psychological reach of this overall campaign.  "Keep your mind open...the future's coming." will soften defenses and weaken resistance to new ideas.    "Re-Framing The Debate"   Of course the other positive propaganda campaign phrases alone will not generate the much needed social, economic and political change this proposal establishes as its goals.  That end can be further advanced, however, by re-framing national dialogue.  Re-framing opportunities arise with each mainstream media report that omits details or entire important stories; includes distortion or spin; represents views from only one side of an issue; makes false claims or allows lies to be represented as fact; or fails to correct known mistakes previously reported.    Under each of these circumstances, there is an editorial decision being consciously made that reflects business or political interests over journalistic integrity.  Such choices are directly and drastically harmful to society, constituting indefensible positions, and in turn representing tilt targets.  In creatively confronting these situations, activists everywhere should not only engage in re-framing, but also state that this is what they are doing.  This approach will further underscore the intentional distortion or misrepresentation and allow the re-framing strategy to become increasingly established and recognized.    Proceed To Overview: Conclusion   Go To Solution Details 4: The Tilt Strategy   Go To Main Menu