Why new language matters

Most people agree: their tax dollars shouldn't fund the killing of civilians. But the way this issue has been talked about makes people shut down before they even listen.

Protest slogans feel alienating to ordinary voters. Partisan framing lets people dismiss the message. Jargon loses everyone who isn't already on your side.

This campaign uses plain, factual, nonpartisan language — because we need to reach people who aren't already convinced.

The messaging framework

Lead with facts, not feelings

Start with what's provable: the dollar amounts, the vote records, the outcomes. Let people draw their own conclusions. Facts persuade; outrage alienates.

Stay nonpartisan

This is not a left or right issue. Both parties take lobby money. Both parties vote for weapons packages. Always include examples from both sides. Never frame this as a partisan fight.

Use plain language

Say "the government of Israel" not shorthand. Say "civilians killed" not jargon. Say "your tax dollars" to make it personal. Avoid protest slogans — they shut down the people we need to reach.

Make it local

People care about their rep, their district, their money. Always localize the message: "Your representative took $X in lobby money and voted yes."

End with action

Every conversation should end with something concrete: look up your rep, share a poster, register to vote, show up in November. Don't leave people feeling hopeless.

Why some approaches backfire

You can say whatever you want. But if the goal is reaching the people we need to reach — people who aren't already on our side — some approaches work better than others. Here's what we've found shuts people down before they can hear the message:

  • Less effective: Protest chants and slogans — They signal "activist" and the people we need to reach tend to tune out before listening.
  • Less effective: Partisan framing — The moment it sounds like one party blaming another, half the room stops listening. Both parties are complicit. Say so.
  • Less effective: Academic jargon — If a term needs explanation, it's a barrier. Plain language reaches more people.
  • Less effective: Personal attacks — Attacking the person makes it easy to dismiss you. Attacking the votes and the money — that's harder to argue with.

Sample conversations

Placeholder: Real conversation scripts and example dialogues will go here — covering common objections, how to redirect, and how to close with action.

[Coming soon]

Put it into practice

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