I grew up in a dry alcoholic family which means that we experienced less of the booze but all the dysfunction. When I look at right wing politics—especially that brand developed by Team George W. Bush (an alcoholic who turned over a new leaf by embracing evangelicalism)—I’m reminded of the alcoholic family messages we internalized including the expansive “We’re all perfect,” with brag-talk and the hushed “We don’t talk about it,” with the shameful stuff.

Having waited years for traditional media to unpack the dry alcoholic disaster of that administration, I realize we’ll be waiting forever until never. If we’re revving up for another presidential run from a member of that family, it’s time to apply a little non-violent communication to this topic. Unlike the traditional media acolytes, I don’t care to trade my intellectual integrity for a cutesy nickname. And, if your most recent understanding of the progressive wing of the country comes from the Nixon era (Uncle D, I’m talking to you), well, get ready for a new paradigm.