Posted by
Always Learning on Monday, August 17, 2009 8:03:53 AM
We all have those things which drive us up the wall. The thing that sends me running and screaming has to do with language. Here is an exchange recently between a Town Hall Attendee and the President of the United States…
Attendee: Max Baucus, our senator, has been locked up in a dark room there for months now trying to come up with some money to pay for these programs. And we keep getting the bull. That's all we get, is bull. You can't tell us how you're going to pay for this. You're saving here, you're saving over there, you're going to take a little money here, you're going to take a little money there. But you have no money. The only way you're going to get that money is to raise our taxes. You said you wouldn't. Max Baucus says he doesn't want to put a bill out that will. But that's the only way you can do that.
President: Well, let -- I'm happy to answer the question.
Attendee: Thank you.
President: Look, you are absolutely right that I can't cover another 46 million people for free. You're right. I can't do that. So we're going to have to find some resources. If people who don't have health insurance are going to get some help, then we're going to have to find money from somewhere.
Short Wall Climbing Analysis
First, the gentleman addressing the President talked as though the President is a king who has personal control of ALL money (e.g. “But you have no money.”). I don’t think it wise to make these types of statements and encourage the illusion that the President of the United States is personally in control of any monies and distribution of the same.
The President compounded the illusion in his response (e.g. “I can’t cover another 46 million people for free.”). He then switched to the use of “we” in order to draw others into this illusion. Note also that the President did not refer to “Citizens,” he says “people.”
I could go on and on, but you get the idea of what sends me climbing the walls.