As we enter another season of political machinations, shouting matches, and incendiary idiocy, consider some meaningless phases that are and will be thrown in our faces.
“I’ll fight for you.” How? Who is the “you’? 2. “The rich must pay their fair share.” What is that? Who is rich? Why? 3. “The American people want…” How do you know? Which ones? Should they want it? 4. “When elected, I will do X.” Maybe you won’t be elected. You may want to do X, but will you? Can you do X? Can anybody do X, like end poverty in America.
You fill in the rest. Hold your nose as you engage your mind.
And, as always, read George Orwell, “Politics and the English Language” and On Bullshit by Harry Frankfurt. And never forget that Jesus was the ultimate and implacable enemy of all cant, evasion, and prevarication. He was, after all, Truth Incarnate.
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