As the leading conservatives in the nation get ready to gather at CPAC, we need to have a discussion about avoiding the traps and biases of the mainstream media. Yes, we all know that they are in the tank for the other side. That’s not new. But things have reached absurd new levels of late.
Take their word choice. Language holds immense power, as it allows us to shape public opinion, influence policy, and rally support for our ideas. The left knows this, and we must take great care to avoid inadvertently conceding ground and diluting our message. It's time we reclaim our own narrative and choose our words wisely.
For your consideration, I propose the following examples:
Their language: Migrants
Our language: Illegal Immigrants
One example of this phenomenon is the terminology used to describe individuals who enter a country illegally. The left successfully shifted the discourse from "illegal immigrants" to "undocumented” to now simply "migrants." By doing so, they obscured that the first act taken by these individuals in our country represented a violation of the law. It’s an attempt to downplay the consequences of their actions, just as CBS News recently reported that Chinese nationals are the fastest growing group pouring through our border. With migrant crossings reaching historic highs, the left is working overtime to sugar-coat the language. As conservatives, we must reject this linguistic manipulation and maintain clarity by using accurate terminology.
Their language: Bidenomics
Our language: Bidencession
Another tactic employed by the left is redefining economic terms to fit their agenda. For every other president, two quarters of a dropping GDP was the textbook definition of a recession. For Team Biden, they simply refused to acknowledge the reality of their recession, even when GDP fell in two consecutive quarters in 2022. Their choir in the media sang along, allowing them to push "Bidenomics" with no mention that he oversaw a recession. We cannot allow them to rewrite history or distort the truth.
Their language: Inflation
Our language: Biden’s Family Tax
In addition to his recession, Biden delivered the worst inflation in more than a generation. Just released numbers show the problem refuses to go away. Costs for food, energy and shelter are skyrocketing. In response, Biden plays a game of semantics trying to convince you that "inflation slowing" is a real victory. Or he blames the private sector, lashing out at grocery stores and even Snickers bars. Instead, let's call it what it truly is: the Biden Family Tax. Families are paying nearly 18 percent more for everything. Imagine in 2020 if candidate Biden was honest and admitted he was imposing an 18 percent tax that would hurt the poor the most. That’s the reality and that’s what need to be said.
Their language: Climate Change/Global Warming/Global Cooling/Armageddon
Our language: Anti-human agenda, or communism.
Another deceptive tactic is the left's narrative on the green agenda. Initially, they championed the notion of global warming, but as scientific data challenged their claims, they adjusted the rhetoric to encompass global cooling and finally settled on "climate change." This shift allows them to justify any developments in weather patterns and attribute them to human activities. It’s no coincidence that every single one of their solutions involves unelected government bureaucrats getting more power and families getting less.
Side note: It is infuriating to witness celebratory ribbon cuttings at projects that waste taxpayer money on Chinese solar panels and batteries. The left often champions renewable energy initiatives, but we should remind them to adhere to their own demands of "paying your fair share." If they truly believe in this principle, they should apply it to wind turbines, electric vehicles, and solar panels as well. Let's expose their hypocrisy and demand accountability.
Lastly, when discussing the transition to cleaner energy or achieving net-zero emissions, let us not adopt the left's terms such as "Just transition" or "net zero." These euphemistic phrases camouflage their true intentions. We must call it what it is: an anti-human agenda that often disregards the consequences it imposes on hardworking individuals and jeopardizes economic stability.
Language shapes public discourse. As conservatives, we must reject the language of the left, as it often distorts the truth to advance their own perspective. By choosing to tell the truth without reservation or fear, we can better communicate our values, hold our opponents accountable, and present a clear and powerful narrative that resonates with the American people. Let us reclaim our language.
Larry Behrens is the Communications Director for Power The Future. He has appeared on Fox News, OANN and NewsMax speaking in defense of American energy workers. He is the author of the book “Sabotage: How Joe Biden Surrendered American Energy Independence.”