The Overton Window

Posted by Herb7734 5 years, 10 months ago to Politics
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In the chilly climes of the upper part of Michigan's lower peninsula,Joe Overton has the kind of job that gives him time time to do a lot of thinking. Actually, he works for a think tank His idea is as follows:Politicians can only voice opinions within a band from left to right that falls within the political spectrum. To voice opinions outside the acceptable space is to invite sure defeat Working within the window, a politician can be pretty sure that nothing he has said will get him condemned. Along comes Donald Trump. He seems to be saying all sorts of things outside the window.He should pay a heavy price for that because it proves that he is not "Presidential." However, what the current potfull of pols fail to recognize is that the Overton Window has shifted, making all those no-no opinions acceptable, even desirable. Trump recognized the shift and used it with a joyful vivacity. What he realized was that certain "down and dirty" phrases and expressions were now common usage, expressed freely by most people and no longer shocking, except to his opponents. They are still mumbling over the fact that his words are unacceptable. Maybe that was true as late as 1990, but not today.


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  • Posted by GaryL 5 years, 10 months ago
    Trump hit a nerve below the belt of many American voters which in turn woke up many more American Non Voters. Folks who had not voted in years made a point of showing up for a guy who spoke their language in the same language they speak it. Politicians flap their lips while saying nothing that can be believed and Trump came to a bar room brawl. Those who remain on the Anti Trump band wagon can best be described as sheeple or pussies. OMG, a man in the oval office with a real set of his own that he doesn't have to spit out because they belong to someone else!
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  • Posted by Dobrien 5 years, 10 months ago
    I wish you a joyful Father's Day .Your children know the legacy you created will produce positive results for generations to come.
    Re your post .....Well said Herb7734,
    The truthful Trump tweets triumph today.
    He has tweeted thousands of times and although I have not heard them all , the ones I have resonate with truth (unfamiliar with politicians typically).
    The freedom caucus has members that I find are not beholden to the typical special interest groups and are favorable for the future.
    Generally the guidance from the top has been detrimental to progress and corrupt. Trump by (leaving those negatives out of the equation) default is outside of the box. The economy is roaring , the nuclear clock is winding back and the deep state is panicking even hopeing for a disaster or a catastrophe to happen so as to blame President Donald J Trump.
    #MAGA
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    • Posted by 5 years, 10 months ago
      Are you a father? If so, male or female? If not be happy for the father's, if so I already know you are a good father from your posts.I never thought of myself as a particularly good parent, but my kids give me a passing grade. I'll settle for that.
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      • Posted by Dobrien 5 years, 10 months ago
        Two sons and a daughter, one son passed.
        Three grand kids so far two boys and a girl.
        Dropping everything to assist Todd says enough.
        A mensch selling himself short as usual. Shalom
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        • Posted by 5 years, 10 months ago
          I beginning to think I should send over someone from the Chabad. They love doing converts.
          Happy Fathers Day
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          • Posted by Dobrien 5 years, 10 months ago
            Thanks .But I like how I am . I only use Yiddish words when hopefully appropriate and out of respect for you.
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            • Posted by 5 years, 10 months ago
              I have already been excoriated by the Orthodox and Conservative Jews and the liberals want to think twice about me.But I get a kick out of Mr. O'Brien writing in Yiddish. It shows a degree of silliness in you, that's needed by good people. Without it, the oil that lubricates interaction makes it grind to a stop.
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  • Posted by jhagen 5 years, 10 months ago
    I suspect some of that has to do with the fact that a polished person who refuses to step out of that window appears to most intelligent people as phony.
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    • Posted by 5 years, 10 months ago
      The thing that made the empowered crazy was that making pronouncements outside the window,meant sure defeat among the people.But, because they were unaware of the shift, or actually it wasn't a shift so much as a widening of the window, what he said made sense even if it was said in such a way as to make him appear racist , or etc.
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