by Xing Wang

Created on: March 10, 2010

Dear President Obama:

During a recent speech, you framed the health care reform as “a core ethical and moral obligation.”  In my humble opinion, a large subset of Americans don’t vote based on mores or logic; they vote based on fear.  The concept was well understood by the Republicans, who are so good at incite fear that they can easily convince this demographic to scream inchoate one liners at town halls or to vote for tax cuts for Warren Buffet instead of themselves. I propose a new media campaign to be led by a new TV ad to instill enough fear amongst this demographic that they will fully support your health plan.

First, the TV ad needs to have dark clouds rolling in the background, similar to the pro proposition 8 TV spot that was running in California during the 2008’s election, because we are targeting the same audience.  In addition, some flashes of lightning and some burning lava will help set the mood. But don’t go too far; having four horsemen racing toward the screen will be tacky.

Next, we need to put some human faces on the health care issue. White soccer moms tend to work the best, but toss in few token minorities to avoid any accusations of racism or typecasting.  An Asian American woman will lend credibility because everyone thinks Asians are smart. Then we will add an African American family who dress, act, and speak even whiter than you do, Mr. President.  The target audience of this ad can only sympathize with African Americans who don’t fist bump.  Finally, someone with facial features so ambiguous that he could be either a Pacific Islander or a Mexican can represent the rest of the minorities.

In the foreground of the TV ad, these average Americans with Screen Actors Guild memberships will tell horror stories if your health care bill does not pass.  While an agency on Madison Avenue will surely come up with a better script, here are some suggestions:

“I never thought my family would lose our health insurance, but then I lost my job.  My daughter got sick, and the medical bills piled up.  We lost our car, our house, and our Christian values.  I was force to take a job as a janitor, just like the illegal immigrants.”

 “The insurance company kept denying the coverage for my son’s treatment at the Gay Conversion Center in Alabama, saying it’s a pre-existing condition, even though it was just that one time in the Minneapolis airport’s bathroom.  Now he is a fully practicing homosexual with sequins, satins, and a toupee.”

“I’m a teacher.  If we don’t pass the bill, the government will force me to teach evolution to our children.” (I know the evolution issue is not related to the health care issue, but trust me on this, our target audience won’t notice.)

Finally, an ominous voice drives home the message, “This could happen to you.  So call your congressman to vote yes on the health bill.”

Truly Yours,

A Concerned Citizen

P.S. Don’t forget to run the ad on the Fox News Channel in addition to post it on Youtube.

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