BEST→WORST WAYS TO DESCRIBE CUTS
This is a simple guide for the best→worst language to use when describing the harm Republicans are causing with their haphazard cuts. As a bottom line, when talking about cuts, you always want to talk about the consequences that come.
Each of these should be read as how you would fill in the end of a sentence that begins “The Republicans are cutting/taking away…”
FIVE SIMPLE RULES
There are five simple rules that help when communicating on this debate:
1️⃣ People > Programs
It’s always better to talk about the impact cuts are having on people instead of the impact they’re having on programs.
- ✅ “Cutting health care for veterans”
- ❌ “Cutting the VA health care program”
2️⃣ People Do Things
It’s always better to talk about cutting the government workers (people) who do a specific thing (e.g., process Social Security benefits, control air traffic, inspect food safety) than to talk generally about government workers without specifying what they do.
- ✅ “Cutting the people who make sure our drinking water is safe”
- ❌ “Cutting EPA employees”
3️⃣ Cutting Is OK, These Cuts Are Wrong
It’s useful to acknowledge that cutting spending/waste is needed, but you’re against these specific cuts because of the harm they do.
- ✅ “We should cut waste, not school lunches for children”
- ❌ “All budget cuts are bad”
4️⃣ Never Say “Spending”
There is never a reason to talk about cutting “spending” as a negative. Spending is always ON SOMETHING, and you’re better off talking about that specific thing.
- ✅ “They’re cutting funds for disaster relief”
- ❌ “They’re cutting government spending”
5️⃣ “Taking Away” > “Cutting”
Where possible, it’s better to talk about what they are “taking away from people” than what spending they are “cutting.”
- ✅ “Taking away prescription drug benefits from seniors”
- ❌ “Cutting the Medicare prescription program”.