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Yesterday morning I followed my normal Sunday routine and watched the talking heads give their opinions on the current "mess of the day". It was baffling. On SUNDAY MORNING George Stephanopolos had an interview with McCain who proudly announced that he was going to give everyone a $5,000 tax credit to buy health insurance. On MEET THE PRESS his stooge (oops - I meant spokesperson), Schmidt, confidently changed that amount to $4,000. Doesn't the right side of the 'mouth' know what the left side of the 'mouth' is saying? Schmidt was falling all over himself trying to give McCain credit for the bailout. I don't know if it was hilarious or pathetic. It was almost as bad as Palin's interview with Katie Couric.
Sylvia, of THE VIEW FROM OVER THE HILL, had an excellent post on defining the satirical meaning of political beliefs and it started me thinking about the distortions that work their way into politics.
Name calling has been a part of politics since the first election of our first president. That doesn't make it right, but it has become an accepted fact. I tried to think of the current crop of labels that first surfaced with, I believe, Ronald Reagan. (I am relying on memory now so make no claims to accuracy.)
For brevity I will use the following abbreviations: PD = perverted description. DD = dictionary description.
ELITIST
PD: Uppity (for a black person), snob (educated individual)or anyone who thinks
they are better than Joe Six Pack.
DD: The choice or select part of a group as a society.
INTELLECTUAL
PD: See PD for elitist
DD: Showing high intelligence
INTELLIGENCE
PD: See PD for Intellectual
DD: The ability to learn or understand. The ability to cope with a new situation.
LIBERAL
DD: Tax and spend individual. Bleeding Heart. Sometimes a Pinko Commie.
Sometimes a Socialist.
DD: Tolerant; broad minded. Favoring realism or progress.
DEMOCRAT
PD: See Liberal
DD: One who practices the principle of equality, of rights, etc.
DEMOCRATIC
PD: Conservatives
DD: Of and for the people.
When you read the Webster's New World Dictionary definition of the words you will note that they accurately describe Obama. Therefore, when someone sneeringly refers to Obama by any of those terms I will simply reply, "What a nice compliment. I am so glad that you realize what a smart, caring, and progressive individual he is. And that you realize that he will be able to cope with any situation."
Language aside, a more dangerous threat to our future is in the mishandling of the economy. Be sure to check out Paul Krugman's article in the NYT to see how dangerous to your future a McCain presidency would be.
The 3 A. M. Call
5 comments:
Krugman should be essential reading. He makes more sense about economic matters than anyone I know. He's a professor at Princeton Univ., which happens to be close my home.
It's a pleasure to correspond with some one like you who has good sense about what's going on the political and economic scene. Too bad there are not more voters like you. I fear there may not be after watching the yahoos widely cheering McCain's lies about Obama and other McCain nonsense.
that's for sure on lanaguage. We aren't even talking to each other and it's hard to be respectful when others are doing things we see as totally crazy, and knowing they see us as the exact opposite as we see ourselves. Communication is impossible or so it seems.
Great post, Darlene. I see there are a lot of us that are Paul Krugman fans. It's all very sad and I almost dread seeing what tomorrow will bring. Good to have you back!
Mort, thank you for your comments. It encourages me.
Rain, it really is hard to show respect when the 'other side' are so nasty. It's a good thing you can't hear me yelling at the TV. ;) I don't show much respect then and I'm glad I live alone or my roommate would have me committed.
Sylvia, you sneaked your comment in while I was writing mine.
Thank you for the welcome back.
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