Ramen-Noodle Republicans

 

Republicans have a chance to speak to normals this 2022 in a way they haven’t or wanted to in a very long time. Normal people have thought of the Republican Party as effete, only for the rich, not prone to listening to the problems of people who haven’t donated a few ducats into the war chest for rubber chicken.

Inflation has hit families in the wallet when it comes to groceries. But, it’s also hit those of us without families. A few voices in conservative media have begged Republicans to go into dark-blue territory and just ask for their vote. This is the year.

But politicians also have this nasty habit of couching things for the squares that doesn’t quite resonate with the everyman. Sure, you can campaign that bacon or a pound of beef is more expensive, but you still get the same amount of bacon or beef: a pound.

So I propose a different route: the way to talk about the economy that will win far more votes this cycle is to talk in the language of the poor. We talk about the price of proteins, which has always been a luxury for people who are truly destitute. We never talk about the kinds of food people are struggling to buy. The way to get to those people is to talk about something they understand: talk about ramen noodles.

When I moved to Los Angeles in 1996, ramen noodles were ten for a dollar (it might have been twenty). Perfect for the recent college graduate living in a chic neighborhood on his own and paying far too much for rent while working menial jobs that barely paid above minimum wage. I just remember my diet was mostly ramen, store-brand mac and cheese, and store-brand hot dogs for the better part of two and half years.

I found very creative ways of eating ramen noodles as someone who couldn’t afford much more. I actually like them. Every so often, because I’m scared to death of being poor, I will pick some up to remind myself to feel blessed for what I have now. Absolutely no nutritional value whatsoever, but they make great French Onion soup. Chile, followed by beef and roast beef, are my go-to flavors.

In Los Angeles, when Joe Biden was inaugurated as President, ramen noodles were five for one dollar. As inflation got worse, those numbers went down. Currently at my grocery store, they are two for a dollar.

That means people trying to extend a dollar can literally get half as much food as they could if they were in the same position when Biden was inaugurated. That speaks to the electorate, especially the electorate where bacon is a luxury.

It’s clear, it’s succinct, and it’s understandable to anyone who has ever been on a budget.

It’s also the kind of story most Republicans suck at telling, be it inauthenticity brought on by success, or too busy screaming buzzwords like “socialism” in hopes that something sticks.

But increasingly, as Democrats become more and more the party of those with college educations, they are becoming the so-called “party of the rich” as they recommend we merely spend more money for electric cars or spend more time on inefficient public transit with the other rabble. But that argument will fall on deaf ears if we try to make it directly, courtesy of the media, which will deconstruct or obstruct what is being said.

But this illustration couldn’t be made any more clear. It’s an illustration parts of the electorate that Republicans haven’t been able to connect with in the past can understand.

Vote Ramen 2022.

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There are 9 comments.

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  1. Doctor Robert Member
    Doctor Robert
    @DoctorRobert

    Jeff, great example.  The stupid Republican politicians have a thousand ways to make the message resonate with the everyday guy who voted for Mr Biden in 2020.  I don’t see any of them happening. 

    Here in Massachusetts, where we have a Democrat AG whose corruption would make Mrs Clinton blush running for Gov, the useless Republican nominee can’t even lay out her anti-citizen, pro-riot, pro-BLM message clearly. 

    We are squandering the opportunity of a lifetime. I would tear out my hair if I had any left.

    • #1
  2. genferei Member
    genferei
    @genferei

    The Democratic Party seems to have abandoned the working class. A smart Republican would rally them. But he or she would need the common touch and not buy into every ‘message’ the consultants told them the donors wanted to hear.

    But whilst unlikely, if such a conservative political figure came forward I can only assume the establishment GOP would rally around them and take the opportunity of a lifetime to realign the American electoral landscape. After all, they’re all about winning office to pursue conservative goals, right? Right?

    • #2
  3. Saint Augustine Member
    Saint Augustine
    @SaintAugustine

    Jeff Hawkins: Vote Ramen 2022.

    Amen.

    • #3
  4. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    Good post, Jeff.  I expect there will be races where Republicans will talk about inflation and how much it hurts the poor, and other races where the Republican candidates talk about issues that are not high on most voters’ priority list. Some year back I remember when Tom Emmer was running for governor of Minnesota.  He’s probably an OK guy, but I thought his ad campaign was stupid.  For at least a month, every campaign ad I saw was on the topic of gay marriage.  I get it, most Republicans are opposed to it, but how many voters would say it’s one of their top three issues?  And you need more than just Republican votes to win a state like Minnesota.

    • #4
  5. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    With you 100 percent Jeff.

    • #5
  6. Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patriot) Member
    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patriot)
    @ArizonaPatriot

    genferei (View Comment):

    The Democratic Party seems to have abandoned the working class. A smart Republican would rally them. But he or she would need the common touch and not buy into every ‘message’ the consultants told them the donors wanted to hear.

    But whilst unlikely, if such a conservative political figure came forward I can only assume the establishment GOP would rally around them and take the opportunity of a lifetime to realign the American electoral landscape. After all, they’re all about winning office to pursue conservative goals, right? Right?

    I wonder if we can name a Republican politician who did this.  Anyone come to mind?

    • #6
  7. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    genferei (View Comment):
    But whilst unlikely, if such a conservative political figure came forward I can only assume the establishment GOP would rally around them and take the opportunity of a lifetime to realign the American electoral landscape. After all, they’re all about winning office to pursue conservative goals, right? Right?

    I see what you did there.

    • #7
  8. Victor Tango Kilo Member
    Victor Tango Kilo
    @VtheK

    And now I pay $12 a bowl for Ramen at my favorite Ramen place

    • #8
  9. BDB Inactive
    BDB
    @BDB

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    And now I pay $12 a bowl for Ramen at my favorite Ramen place

    Luxury!   I’ll go get a price tonight.

    Of course, this is the frou-frou trap the OP warns us against.  We are no longer dealing with a 24-pack of dried ramen in its native Styrofoam.

    • #9
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