apieditor, Automoderated users, edit, ratelimit-exempt
823
edits
Changes
improved Political_cards
'''Political cards''' are tactics used by [[liberals]] in politics, the media, and other adversarial settings in order to appeal to emotion or even prejudice rather than reason. The term is a metaphor for what happens in the card game of [[bridge]], where one card can be played to "trump" (defeat) all other cards. Political cards are thus a form of [[thought-terminating cliché]].
'''Political cards''' are tactics used by [[liberals]] in politics, the media, and other adversarial settings in order to appeal to emotion or even prejudice rather than reason. The term is a metaphor for what happens in the card game of [[bridge]], where one card can be played to "trump" (defeat) all other cards. Political cards are thus a form of [[thought-terminating cliché]].
In contrast with most card games, however, a political card can be played at any time, no matter how irrational or irrelevant to the topic. Many liberal articles and commentaries consist of little more than playing one or more political cards.
In contrast with most card games, however, a political card can be played at any time, no matter how irrational or irrelevant to the topic. Many liberal articles and commentaries consist of little more than playing one or more political cards.
A card is "played" when one side relies on a particular issue in order to gain an often-unjustified upper hand in the debate or controversy.
A card is "played" when one side relies on a particular issue in order to gain an often-unjustified upper hand in the debate or controversy.
|-
|-
|Sexist card
|Sexist card
|Allegations men are "ignorant slobs" and women need a protected status as a voting bloc within the [[Democrat Party]]
|Allegations that men are "ignorant slobs" and women need a protected status as a voting bloc within the [[Democrat Party]]
|[[Lawrence Summers]] was driven from his presidency of [[Harvard]] for merely mentioning the possibility that women may not have as much aptitude for math as men
|[[Lawrence Summers]] was driven from his presidency of [[Harvard]] for merely mentioning the possibility that women may not have as much aptitude for math as men
|Safe haven for angry liberals and [[feminists]]
|Safe haven for angry liberals and [[feminists]]
|Bringing race into a debate by suggesting that criticism is racially motivated or that one's opponent is "racist"
|Bringing race into a debate by suggesting that criticism is racially motivated or that one's opponent is "racist"
|Used to silence criticism of Barack Obama from 2008 onwards
|Used to silence criticism of Barack Obama from 2008 onwards
|Prove you're not a "racist" is like saying, "when did you stop beating your wife?"
|Proving you're not a "racist" is like saying, "when did you stop beating your wife?"
|The boy who cried wolf
|The boy who cried wolf
|-
|-
|Used in a recent special congressional election for a [[Democrat]] in a [[Republican]]-leaning district in [[New York]] in 2011.
|Used in a recent special congressional election for a [[Democrat]] in a [[Republican]]-leaning district in [[New York]] in 2011.
|Fear sells
|Fear sells
|Democrats raided Medicare to fund Obamacare for younger voters.[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/pearl-korn/while-obamacare-addresses_b_4121993.html]
|Democrats raided Medicare to fund Obamacare for younger voters. [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/pearl-korn/while-obamacare-addresses_b_4121993.html]
|-
|-
|Third rail card
|Third rail card
|Proposals to reform [[Social Security]] result in political suicide.
|Proposals to reform [[Social Security]] result in political suicide.
|Under Barack Obama, Social Security for the first time in its history, has a negative cash flow and has been paying out more in benefits than the cash it demands from younger workers.<ref>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/15/6273181-obama-agenda-social-security-still-the-third-rail</ref>
|Under Barack Obama, Social Security for the first time in its history has a negative cash flow and has been paying out more in benefits than the cash it demands from younger workers.<ref>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/15/6273181-obama-agenda-social-security-still-the-third-rail</ref>
|Slander your opponent for proposing solutions
|Slander your opponent for proposing solutions
|Political and economic stagnation
|Political and economic stagnation
|Polite and responsible criticism of Barack Obama is deemed "xenophobic"<ref>See:[[JournoList]]</ref>
|Polite and responsible criticism of Barack Obama is deemed "xenophobic"<ref>See:[[JournoList]]</ref>
|At first seems to be an effective way to pose the opponent as "racist"
|At first seems to be an effective way to pose the opponent as "racist"
|Ultimately fails when both debaters are of the same country or when the person making the original claim is from the country of the claim
|Ultimately fails when both debaters are from the same country or when the person making the original claim is from the country of the claim
|-
|-
|Anti-homosexual card
|Anti-homosexual card
|Cite Ted Kennedy's "dream", the "the cause of my life", "Senator Kennedy eloquently captured how our long-term care system is failing the American people when he said, too often, they have to give up the American Dream" <ref>[https://dailycaller.com/2011/10/26/dems-invoke-the-kennedy-card-to-defend-obamacare-in-wake-of-failing-class-act/ Dems invoke the ‘Kennedy Card’ to defend Obamacare in wake of failing CLASS Act, Daily Caller, October 26, 2011]</ref>
|Cite Ted Kennedy's "dream", the "the cause of my life", "Senator Kennedy eloquently captured how our long-term care system is failing the American people when he said, too often, they have to give up the American Dream" <ref>[https://dailycaller.com/2011/10/26/dems-invoke-the-kennedy-card-to-defend-obamacare-in-wake-of-failing-class-act/ Dems invoke the ‘Kennedy Card’ to defend Obamacare in wake of failing CLASS Act, Daily Caller, October 26, 2011]</ref>
|Emotional appeal for passing legislation
|Emotional appeal for passing legislation
|Only 26% of the population can relate to liberalism, the Kennedy card has zero effect on legislation
|Only 26% of the population can relate to liberalism; the Kennedy card has zero effect on legislation
|-
|-
|"Responsible" Republican card
|"Responsible" Republican card
|Extreme card
|Extreme card
|In typical [[liberal media]] [[newspeak]], anything right of center or not liberal
|In typical [[liberal media]] [[newspeak]], anything right of center or not liberal
|Bill and [[Hillary Clinton]] persistently referred to the Republican [[Newt Gingrich|Contract with America]] as extreme; [[President Clinton]] ultimately signed 7 of 10 Contract items in to law
|Bill and [[Hillary Clinton]] persistently referred to the Republican [[Newt Gingrich|Contract with America]] as extreme; [[President Clinton]] ultimately signed 7 of 10 Contract items into law
|Prior to the [[9/11 attacks]], was used interchangeably with "[[terrorist]]" by mainstream media sources
|Prior to the [[9/11 attacks]], it was used interchangeably with "[[terrorist]]" by mainstream media sources
|Polls show "mainstream" journalists are not mainstream at all, rather more liberal than the mainstream American public<ref>[http://www.mrc.org/specialreports/2004/pdf/liberal_media.pdf The Liberal Media, ''Every Poll Shows Journalists Are More Liberal than the American Public — And the Public Knows It''], Rich Noyes, Director of Research, Media Research Center, June 30, 2004.</ref>
|Polls show "mainstream" journalists are not mainstream at all; rather more liberal than the mainstream American public<ref>[http://www.mrc.org/specialreports/2004/pdf/liberal_media.pdf The Liberal Media, ''Every Poll Shows Journalists Are More Liberal than the American Public — And the Public Knows It''], Rich Noyes, Director of Research, Media Research Center, June 30, 2004.</ref>
|-
|-
|Greedy card
|Greedy card
|The one making the charge cannot explain facts
|The one making the charge cannot explain facts
|Hillary Clinton charged that her husband's behavior was the result of a "vast right-wing conspiracy"
|Hillary Clinton charged that her husband's behavior was the result of a "vast right-wing conspiracy"
|Provides plausible reasons for the simple minded
|Provides plausible reasons for the simple-minded
|Contradictory evidence leads to more conspiracy theories
|Contradictory evidence leads to more conspiracy theories
|-
|-
|"[[Homophobia]]" card
|"[[Homophobia]]" card
|Accusing the opponent of having an "irrational fear or hatred" of [[homosexuals]]
|Accusing the opponent of having a "irrational fear or hatred" of [[homosexuals]]
|Opposition to the radical redefinition of marriage as expressed in California's [[Proposition 8]] was deemed "homophobia".<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/26/AR2010082605233.html</ref>
|Opposition to the radical redefinition of marriage as expressed in California's [[Proposition 8]] was deemed "homophobia".<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/26/AR2010082605233.html</ref>
|Old stand-by in the arsenal of liberal slander attacks
|Old standby in the arsenal of liberal slander attacks
|Attempts to ostracize and criminalize an emotional disorder. "Homophobia", in fact, does not exist except as a smear term used frequently by liberals and other supporters of the [[homosexual agenda]]
|Attempts to ostracize and criminalize an emotional disorder; "Homophobia", in fact, does not exist except as a smear term used frequently by liberals and other supporters of the [[homosexual agenda]]
|-
|-
|[[Islamophobia]] card
|[[Islamophobia]] card
|[[Nobel Laureate]] [[Paul Krugman]] claims GOP zombies will eat Obama's brain for extending the Bush tax cuts<ref>[http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2010/12/20/paul-krugman-says-gop-zombies-are-going-eat-obamas-brain Paul Krugman Says GOP 'Zombies' Are Going to Eat Obama's Brain], ''Newsbusters.</ref>
|[[Nobel Laureate]] [[Paul Krugman]] claims GOP zombies will eat Obama's brain for extending the Bush tax cuts<ref>[http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2010/12/20/paul-krugman-says-gop-zombies-are-going-eat-obamas-brain Paul Krugman Says GOP 'Zombies' Are Going to Eat Obama's Brain], ''Newsbusters.</ref>
|Apparently there is a ready market for hyperbole and fear among leftists
|Apparently there is a ready market for hyperbole and fear among leftists
|Ignores the fact the Reagan reforms gave birth to the longest, most extended era of peacetime prosperity in U.S. history<ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204251404574344230339019304.html</ref>
|Ignores the fact that the Reagan reforms gave birth to the longest, most extended era of peacetime prosperity in U.S. history<ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204251404574344230339019304.html</ref>
|-
|-
|"Global warming denier" card
|"Global warming denier" card
|Free speech card
|Free speech card
|cry "free speech," "free speech" for everything offensive to Christianity, while censoring the truth and limiting political speech
|cry "free speech," "free speech" for everything offensive to Christianity, while censoring the truth and limiting political speech
|The [[Supreme Court]] ruled exotic dancing protected free expression but disallowed a high school football team's pregame prayer under the same grounds
|The [[Supreme Court]] ruled exotic dancing protected free expression, but disallowed a high school football team's pregame prayer under the same grounds
|Legally it is technically correct
|Legally, it is technically correct
|Just because something is "free speech" does not mean it is not wrong
|Just because something is "free speech" does not mean it is not wrong
|-
|-
|Paints supporters of [[Creationism]] as "superstitious and naive"
|Paints supporters of [[Creationism]] as "superstitious and naive"
|Sarah Palin openly supported Creationism
|Sarah Palin openly supported Creationism
|Creationism is an emotive issue for many people on either side of the debate, so this can be a clever way to side-track sensible argument
|Creationism is an emotive issue for many people on either side of the debate, so this can be a clever way to side-track sensible arguments
|Gallup Poll says 54% of Americans believe the earth is 10,000 years old
|Gallup Poll says 54% of Americans believe the earth is 10,000 years old
|-
|-
|Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] implied that Justice Bork would turn back Roe V. Wade and claimed women would be forced to get back-alley abortions as a result
|Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] implied that Justice Bork would turn back Roe V. Wade and claimed women would be forced to get back-alley abortions as a result
|Fear Republican laws and personal responsibility
|Fear Republican laws and personal responsibility
|You can't run from your conscience and consequence of actions can lead to a lifetime of suffering
|You can't run from your conscience and consequences of actions can lead to a lifetime of suffering
|-
|-
|Liberal mocking card
|Liberal mocking card
|As noted above, liberals often use this to defend homosexuality <ref>https://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-shore/what-would-jesus-do-if-in_b_480013.html</ref> by claiming that Jesus never specifically mentioned it
|As noted above, liberals often use this to defend homosexuality <ref>https://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-shore/what-would-jesus-do-if-in_b_480013.html</ref> by claiming that Jesus never specifically mentioned it
|Certain Bible passages can easily be [[quote mine]]d
|Certain Bible passages can easily be [[quote mine]]d
|A true Christian can easily find the flaws in such an argument by pointing our how it is taken out of context
|A true Christian can easily find the flaws in such an argument by pointing out how it is taken out of context
|-
|-
|"Gun nut" card
|"Gun nut" card
|Liberals often use certain "trends" to support their claims
|Liberals often use certain "trends" to support their claims
|Citing the Clinton surplus vs. the Bush deficit
|Citing the Clinton surplus vs. the Bush deficit
|At first makes the user look like they have done their research
|At first, makes the user look like they have done their research
|Often taken out of context (for example the Clinton surplus was largely due to a Republican congress and the end of the Cold War, while the Bush deficit was caused greatly by two wars and need for Homeland Security)
|Often taken out of context (for example, the Clinton surplus was largely due to a Republican congress and the end of the Cold War, while the Bush deficit was caused greatly by two wars and the need for Homeland Security)
|-
|-
|Cherry picking data card
|Cherry picking data card
|-
|-
|[[Anti-Americanism|Anti-American]] card
|[[Anti-Americanism|Anti-American]] card
|Denying [[American exceptionalism]]. Trots out false examples of how European countries have better standard of living
|Denying [[American exceptionalism]]. Trots out false examples of how European countries have a better standard of living
|Swedish Healthcare System
|Swedish Healthcare System
|Transforms America into a European-style welfare state
|Transforms America into a European-style welfare state
|-
|-
|[[Deceit]] card
|[[Deceit]] card
|Lies or distorts truth in order to win argument
|Lies or distorts truth in order to win an argument
|Obama's critics are smeared as "racists"
|Obama's critics are smeared as "racists"
|Can impress ill-informed or credulous observers
|Can impress ill-informed or credulous observers
|Compassion card
|Compassion card
|Arguing someone must be right because he has more compassion
|Arguing someone must be right because he has more compassion
|[[Liberals and uncharitableness|Liberal uncharitableness]] and [[Liberal politicians and uncharitableness]] has been well documented
|[[Liberals and uncharitableness|Liberal uncharitableness]] and [[Liberal politicians and uncharitableness]] have been well documented
|Attempts to paint opponents' pragmatism as cold-heartedness
|Attempts to paint opponents' pragmatism as cold-heartedness
|The calling card of [[limousine liberal]]s
|The calling card of [[limousine liberal]]s
|[[Hypocrites|Hypocrite]] card
|[[Hypocrites|Hypocrite]] card
|Claiming some inconsistency in positions
|Claiming some inconsistency in positions
|The idea that a pro-lifer must oppose death penalty
|The idea that a pro-lifer must oppose the death penalty
|Some people actually buy it
|Some people actually buy it
|Often the people making the [[Hypocrites|Hypocrite]] claim exhibit hypocrisy themselves (see [[Liberal hypocrisy]])
|Often the people making the [[Hypocrites|Hypocrite]] claim exhibit hypocrisy themselves (see [[Liberal hypocrisy]])
|"Shaking hands with [[Saddam Hussein]]"<ref>[http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=ie7&q=shaking+hands+with+Saddam+Hussein&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-ContextMenu&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7ACAW_enUS425US426 Google Search Results].</ref>
|"Shaking hands with [[Saddam Hussein]]"<ref>[http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=ie7&q=shaking+hands+with+Saddam+Hussein&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-ContextMenu&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7ACAW_enUS425US426 Google Search Results].</ref>
|Slander at will
|Slander at will
|Look who's calling the kettle back
|Look who's calling the kettle black
|-
|-
|Google bomb card
|Google bomb card
|-
|-
|Nativist card
|Nativist card
|The idea people born in a given country are "xenophobic exclusionary bigots"
|The idea that people born in a given country are "xenophobic exclusionary bigots"
|Opposition to the Ground Zero mosque
|Opposition to the Ground Zero mosque
|Divides the people against themselves
|Divides the people against themselves
|Invoking the name of Hitler
|Invoking the name of Hitler
|Liberal [[George Soros#2004 Presidential Elections in the United States|George Soros]] hypocritically likened the Bush administration to the Nazi regime (even though Soros has himself admitted to having collaborated with the Nazis in his youth and has never apologized for doing so)
|Liberal [[George Soros#2004 Presidential Elections in the United States|George Soros]] hypocritically likened the Bush administration to the Nazi regime (even though Soros has himself admitted to having collaborated with the Nazis in his youth and has never apologized for doing so)
|Appeals to emotion and extremists, and less educated leftists
|Appeals to emotion, extremists, and less educated leftists
|Typical [[totalitarian]] tactic
|Typical [[totalitarian]] tactic
|-
|-
|-
|-
|Immigration card
|Immigration card
|Implies Democrats are sympathetic to a person's immigration status, despite the fact there is no historical record of legislative achievements in this area and Democrats associate being opposed to illegal immigration as being "anti-immigration" as a whole, which is bigoted and completely insulting to people that come to this country legally
|Implies Democrats are sympathetic to a person's immigration status, despite the fact there is no historical record of legislative achievements in this area and Democrats associate being opposed to illegal immigration as being "anti-immigration" as a whole, which is bigoted and completely insulting to people who come to this country legally
|The [[DREAM Act|Obama Dream Act]], a "cynical exercise in political charades", failed to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate, 55–41
|The [[DREAM Act|Obama Dream Act]], a "cynical exercise in political charades", failed to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate, 55–41
|Seeks to pit voters against each other along racial and ethnic lines, which Democrats view as a "win"
|Seeks to pit voters against each other along racial and ethnic lines, which Democrats view as a "win"
|-
|-
|Redneck card
|Redneck card
|Implication rural inhabitants are uneducated and possibly "racist"
|Implication that rural inhabitants are uneducated and possibly "racist"
|Used to smear most conservatives
|Used to smear most conservatives
|Pejorative aimed at Bluedog Democrats, [[Red State]] dwellers, and others in flyover country
|Pejorative aimed at Bluedog Democrats, [[Red State]] dwellers, and others in flyover country
|Why don't common people vote Democrat?
|Why don't common people vote Democrat?
|Used by Obama and [[Howard Dean]]
|Used by Obama and [[Howard Dean]]
|Attempts to justify Democrats' failure to coffeehouse liberals, and persuade hick voters by belittling them
|Attempts to justify Democrats' failure to coffeehouse liberals, and to persuade hick voters by belittling them
|Insulting to average voters
|Insulting to average voters
|-
|-
|[[NASCAR]] card
|[[NASCAR]] card
|Insinuates NASCAR fans are "uneducated" and "racist"
|Insinuates NASCAR fans are "uneducated" and "racist"
|NASCAR fans tend to vote Republican,<ref>http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/04/24/109269/-Why-do-NASCAR-Fans-Vote-Republican</ref> more so than fans of most others sports
|NASCAR fans tend to vote Republican,<ref>http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/04/24/109269/-Why-do-NASCAR-Fans-Vote-Republican</ref> more so than fans of most other sports
|Republicans failed to balance the budget by cutting $7.4 million from the [[Pentagon]]'s sponsorship of NASCAR for Army recruiting<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/19/sports/autoracing/19nascar.html</ref>
|Republicans failed to balance the budget by cutting $7.4 million from the [[Pentagon]]'s sponsorship of NASCAR for Army recruiting<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/19/sports/autoracing/19nascar.html</ref>
|NASCAR has an estimated 75 million fans
|NASCAR has an estimated 75 million fans