Political Catch Phrases Constrict Thought? [View all]

[eniwetok]

When we hear the Right use the term "pro-choice" it contains built-in argument... and implies that anyone who disagrees must therefore be "anti-life". Some do think in such simplistic terms. In reality, it usually means anti-abortion... unless there's some moral consistency being against the death penalty and war. Religious freedom for the Right often just means their right to discriminate or oppress others. "War On Xmas" is another such laughable phrase given that Xmas is our nation's most obnoxious holiday... in our faces for an entire month. "Self made" might fit the category since it implies complete independence in what one has earned... while it sweeps under the rug all those backdoor freebies government gives to business... free limited liability protection for corporations and shareholders, low tax rates for capital gains, free intellectual property monopolies, etc.

So when I hear Dems throw around terms like corporations and the rich must pay their "fair share" in taxes... it's a similar phrase with a built in argument. OF COURSE they should pay their "fair share"... but the phrase doesn't provide any criteria for what "fair share" even means... a topic for another thread, perhaps. "Living wage" is another such phrase... that sounds meaningful and good intentioned... and anyone who disagrees with some arbitrary number must be for predatory employment. Again, it's just a phrase anyone can project anything they want into. Depending on a worker's circumstances a "living wage" might still not be enough, or it might be pure gravy. Democracy is another such phrase that's often used by liberal Dems. But when one scratches the surface almost without exception we find what's being supported is un- or antidemocratic

So I think we should be cautious throwing around such catch phrases that lack operative definitions.