Posted on 02/29/2004 9:43:57 AM PST by NormsRevenge
Edited on 04/14/2004 10:06:44 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
Like doughnuts or deodorant, politics is about selling. And what sells a product isn't so much what the product does, but what the buyer thinks it does. Take Proposition 56. It doesn't really matter if it actually reforms the budget, because as long as people think they are getting budget reform, they will vote for it.
(Excerpt) Read more at 2.ocregister.com ...
The article highlights a few of the deceptive initiatives in the past (Prop 111-Gann destruction, Prop 20-Coastal Commission, Prop 42-Transportation). The full article is still available at rppi.org Here are a couple choice excerpts.
March 2, 2003 -- Like doughnuts or deodorant, politics is about selling. And what sells a product isn't so much what the product does, but what the buyer thinks it does. Take Proposition 56. It doesn't really matter if it actually reforms the budget, because as long as people think they are getting budget reform, they will vote for it.Special interest groups and politicians have learned the trick is to get people to pay attention - but not too much attention. If you're at the supermarket perusing deodorant options, industry executives don't expect you to ponder the active ingredients in each; they figure you'll simply reach for the one with the commercial that made you feel robust and athletic. Likewise, those selling propositions don't want you to think too much, they just want you to vote for the one that feels right.
(snip)
Look out for unintended consequences
It's not enough to examine all the good a proposition's supporters say it will do; voters must look closely for ugly, unintended consequences that may emerge. When a politician supports general ideas that already enjoy popular support, even a second-rater can sound like a visionary.
(snip)
However, to assume that a 30-second TV ad will spell out the most important provisions in big letters is to give political peddlers more credit than they deserve.
Shady sales jobs and unfulfilled promises are part of today's reality in politics.
Californians must walk into voting booths on March 2 like they would walk onto a used car lot. Expect deception, don't listen to fast talk and watch your wallet.
...those selling propositions don't want you to think too much, they just want you to vote for the one that feels right.Kind of sounds like the salesjob going on here at FR.
Are you calling Tom McClintock and Ray Haynes stupid? They are both supporting Arnold's propositions.
Ray Haynes (R): Arnold Insists and Persists. Reform Is Necessary
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1495358/posts
Even bad reform is ok as long as there is an R involved huh?
I certainly didn't say that.
Thank you for the link.
Well, you strongly implied that those voting for Arnold's propositions must be out of their minds and are gullible and stupid.
Frankly, I am happy to be in the company of Arnold, Tom McClintock and Ray Haynes and leave you in the company of Angelides.
More BS, FO.
Anybody that marries up with ANY politician is soon going to have their heart broken badly. Most of us here try to align with principles that are good for Californians, especially Conservative Californians!
I grieves us whenever anyone, especially anyone claiming to be a Republican violates good principles and practices and especially uses whatever position they have to appoint liberal Democrats to high office.
Even more grievious is to find FReepers such as you clinging to the slightest conceivable conservative action by a Governor that deliberately swings from left to right and back again before even turning the page of his script... Whew!!!
After reading Walters column this morning, I wanted to read this article again
(funny how he didn’t mention the new gas tax and Prop 111, just more whining about that evil Prop 13).
For the record, the Reason Foundation changed the URL again, so thought I would record the new one here:
http://www.reason.org/commentaries/balaker_20040229.shtml
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