Speaking the same with different meanings
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Maurice Johnson
Published: September 25, 2008
I agreed totally with Leonard Pitts’ article about how language has lost all meaning in our political discourse. And, how dangerous that is. He nailed that.
But, watching the candidates talk about what they each would do to turn our country around — another, related problem struck me. They both say the same thing but mean different things. We are left to
try to “read between the lines” and figure out what we think they mean. That’s terrible.
I mean just listen to their speeches, here’s what they both say.
1.We need change
2.Washington is broken
3. I will fix washington and make it work for you
4. The selfish crooks and bums are responsible
5. I will assure new regulations protect you, your homes, your jobs, etc.
Both say that and little more.
What a joke?
Now, I suspect what they really mean and what they really would do is very different from each other, but heck if I can decipher the difference.
The problem is that their speeches are meaningless, even misleading.
And the media is not performing its necessary function. That function is to ask questions and find out the details of what they want to do.
All the candidates have handlers and keep the media at arms length. Palin is the worst, but they are all bad.
What’s the answer?
All media of good faith should band together and say “we will not cover any speech that does not allow questions from reporters after the speech.”
Yes, Fox will still cover McCain. and some blogs will still cover Obama. But, I think the point would quickly be made and we would regain a national discourse about the important issues before us.
And, maybe, just maybe one of the politicians would distinguish himself or herself by admitting that some hard, unpopular choices need to be made and even much more important — making a case,
presenting a plan for what those hard things should be.
Wow, leadership.
That would be spectacular.
MAURICE JOHNSON
Montclair
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Posted by ( kgotthardt ) on September 26, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Willow, I suspect there are many “impish” people in this county, myself being one of them : )
That said, people who live within their means but are at the bottom of the socioeconomic scale can’t really do much more than hope to survive. They need people like us who aren’t rich in the least but who know what it’s like to struggle. Better yet, they need people like us to get RICH people to do things we ourselves can’t do for the less fortunate.
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Posted by ( willow703 ) on September 26, 2008 at 11:38 am
Well, finally got some bites. I guess it’s just a matter of the right bait.
What is it about my being comfortably “lower middle class” that makes people who don’t know me think that I’m rich, selfish, & cold-hearted?
Those who know me know I am none of those things. They also know that I consider hate to be wasteful emotion & name-calling and cursing to be proof of ignorance. And, of course, they are well of my impish nature.
The fat cats aren’t the only investors in securities backed by faulty mortgages; most public & private pension funds are also heavily invested.
I didn’t fudge the facts on either of my mortgage applications & I have paid off the mortgage on the one home I now own.
I am willing to forgive those who did fudge the facts on their mortgages. They usually did so on the advice of unscrupulous agents. Most first-time buyers have no idea what they’re doing, I was fortunate to have agents who made sure that I, & my wife, understood each step.
So, my idea is to first protect those who are in danger of losing a home, next protect the front line workers in danger of losing a job, next protect the businesses they work for, then punish those whose wrongdoing caused the problem.
Finally, we must remember that every “Thou shalt not.. .“ ever written has been because someone already was ...
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Posted by ( raywilliams ) on September 26, 2008 at 10:19 am
willow, I’m one of the people Obama’s tax change will clip, and I’m not crying about donating a few extra tax dollars to the cause of a greater America.
Wealth is easily created in America just by living slightly below your means - if your means are slightly above providing the basics for your family. For many younger PWC residents, paycheck to paycheck is a fact. Older gents such as ourselves are not faced with the same realities as young families.
I’ve been poor and I never want to be poor again. But I also understand small things can make a big difference when your back is to the wall. If my contributions help a family in some small way survive to see next week, then it is worth it to this bleeding heart liberal.
Remember with the first Bush tax cut, Cheney saved over $300,000 in TAXES! You think he would miss say, $25k of that with Obama’s tax restructuring?
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Posted by ( jVA ) on September 26, 2008 at 9:35 am
“I don’t know Willow so I don’t know what he/she contributes or doesn’t contribute. I just know that attitude is pervasive and I cannot stand it. “
You’re completely right.
And I don’t mean to attack Willow personally. I’m sure he’s a decent person. His attitude is just pretty incredible in the current circumstances.
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Posted by ( kgotthardt ) on September 26, 2008 at 9:17 am
—You can bet your behind if I had the money, it would be wrapped up in a sports car.—
LOL! I meant “NOT”! What a typo!
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Posted by ( kgotthardt ) on September 26, 2008 at 9:16 am
That whole attitude—selfishnes—is pathetic. I don’t know Willow so I don’t know what he/she contributes or doesn’t contribute. I just know that attitude is pervasive and I cannot stand it. You can bet your behind if I had the money, it would be wrapped up in a sports car. Wouldn’t it be great to have money to give away??
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Posted by ( jVA ) on September 26, 2008 at 9:14 am
“Sorry, but you are not the majority. “
I agree, kgotthardt. That was such a heinous thing to write.
To look around and see that people in our country are hurting, struggling, in trouble, losing their homes and jobs, and then say, “Oh well! Too bad for them! My life is going pretty good.“
That’s just pathetic.
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Posted by ( kgotthardt ) on September 26, 2008 at 9:08 am
“I am one of many who are better off than they were 8 years ago & I owe no thanks to Democrat or Republican. “
Well bully good for you! I hope you donate a goodly amount back to the communities that have suffered because our government is full of thieves. If you don’t want to give back, that’s your decision. But understand the rich are living off our backs—that would be the minority. Sorry, but you are not the majority.
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Posted by ( jVA ) on September 26, 2008 at 9:05 am
“I am one of many who are better off than they were 8 years ago & I owe no thanks to Democrat or Republican. “
Great news! Somebody get Hank Paulson on the phone and tell him he can call of that Wall Street bailout he’s trying to get. This guy in Prince William County is doing just fine.
“Sen. Obama is going to give everyone $1000, health care, a house, food clothing & who knows what else & he’s going to pay for it by taxing the rich. “
If by taxing the rich, you mean rolling back the Bush tax cuts on millionaires, then yes, you are correct. If you’re making more than $500k a year, you’ll see your taxes increase under Obama.
I know, I know. It really tugs at the old heart strings. I can’t even think about it without shedding a few tears…!
“Democrat party will understand the many advantages of democracy & the many pitfalls of the socialism they seek to impose upon us. “
Excuse me? Can I ask which party President Bush belongs to? Did you not see him on tv Wed. night asking for $700 billion to help Wall Street? Or is it only “socialism” when you’re helping people?
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Posted by ( jVA ) on September 26, 2008 at 8:55 am
I guess the letter writer is correct that both candidates are promising these things in general terms in their speeches. But its not like the details are unavailable to people.
Both candidates lay out specific plans on their websites. Both candidates have voting records and a history that people can look at.
I disagree that it is solely the responsibility of either Sens. Obama or McCain or even the media to answer all of these questions. Every American has a responsibility to be an informed voter. Do some reading. The answers are out there.
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