John Kerry Should Have Bought a Metaphor

After the election, I decided to ignore the national news. It’s been peaceful, and I think helpful in trying to understand exactly what’s going on in the political life of this country. It’s led me to this understanding: everything in America (and by extension the rest of the empire) is Marketing.

The Republican marketing strategy is three-pronged as I see it:

1. Pro-Christian (its prime metaphor is pro-life (anti-abortion).
2. Anti-government (pro-gun).
3. Nationalism (pro-Iraq).

Like it or not, this marketing strategy is working wonders in the red states, and especially the south. There is a very strong Christian element of course. But more importantly, historically, since the Civil War (and in the hills since the Whiskey Rebellion), the south has been anti-government. The Civil Rights battles only strengthened this feeling, even if civil rights are now embraced in the region. Lastly, despite its anti-government stance, the communal spirit of family has always been strong, and through association, its nationalistic spirit.

It’s critical that there are elements of truth behind any marketing strategy. And on these three issues, the Republicans aren’t lying. So it’s critically important to understand that the red states are right to vote for Republicans. On these three key almost-philosophical issues, it is in their interest. There may be more critical issues. Ones of economy, fairness, and true national strength. But like a stumbling poet, the Democrats are a party without metaphors. Or marketing. The fault lies not in the red states, but in Democratic strategies.