If people are mis-using the metaphor to push an agenda, the solution isnt to further twist the metaphor, it’s to push back tell them they are using it incorrectly, and that they are full of shit. Further misinterpreting the metaphor doesn’t solve anything, and just allows further abuse of the metaphor.

Im not twisting the metaphor, im calling out how it has been twisted.

If anything, this misinterpretation is exactly what a right wingers want, as it legitimises their use of the sound byte, without hold their word to the higher standard of the original metaphor.

Calling out what right wingers actually mean is never what right wingers want.

We should be holding the metaphor to its strictest meaning, which is a good policy (rising tide) must benefit absolutely everyone (ALL ships).

But thats not what it means, its strictest meaning is that a rising tide will lift all boats. That is, what is good for one person is equally good for all people. It doesnt say anything about good policy or what that must mean.