KEEP AMERICA FREE

This post is not a short manifesto on American rights or history. This post is about political rhetoric and how the Democratic Party has failed to solidify, in simple terms, just what the hell it is. 

The Conservative led Republican Party has been a master of rallying supporters around images. The use of flags and phrases capsulate for followers an identity of inclusion. They “belong” and can express their belonging in simple terms; Make America Great Again, MAGA, Don’t Tread On Me (including the Gadsden Flag), the name TRUMP, and the image of Trump himself. For the most part they have even usurped the American Flag itself as their symbol (rather ironic for a Party that bills itself as anti-government). 

None of this is new or unique. People, politicians, leaders, and governments have always used symbols or phrases to short cut or analogize, but more importantly to communicate and unify individuals into a common cause. The history and use of flags by modern man is a fascinating story unto itself. However, the Democratic Party seems to be void of this important human desire for symbolic union and inclusion. 

Sometimes popular individuals can represent themselves as a symbol (Trump e.g.). If the Democrats think they can make Biden their symbol…we’re in real trouble. That does not disparage the outstanding quality of his Presidency, only an image he cannot project. Yet that’s what it appears they’re doing. For a Party comprised of such diversity it’s frightening to consider. 

At least let there be a phrase. The word “Freedom” has not been totally usurped by the Republican Party (yet).  It is the word that historically we, as a nation, most closely aligned with Democracy. The obvious phrase then to use is KEEP AMERICA FREE. Think about it: 

Freedom of Choice (elections and abortion), Freedom from autocracy (democracy), Freedom from inequality (financial and social), Freedom from insecurity (gun control, social security, healthcare), Freedom from thought control (education, Free Press), Freedom from disrespect and threats (foreign policy), and Freedom from indecency (Trump) to name a few. I could write 50 stump speeches for Biden on this, but none of it would stick any better than butter on a light bulb if there isn’t a common phrase to encapsulate it all as a rallying call for a unified Party.

It also implies a warning (with the word "Keep") that such freedoms can be lost, and we are, in fact, currently in a battle to keep them.

The diversity of the Democratic Party demands something more than just fear of “Trump”. They need something to rally around which embraces that diversity in simple terms; KEEP AMERICA FREE…KEEP AMERICA FREE…KEEP AMERICA FREE.