Kevin_Kennedy
Defend Liberty
- Aug 27, 2008
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As we enter the fall political season, we will hear a great deal of rhetoric from both major political parties and their many candidates for office. Its important for us to remember, however, that words can be made meaningless by misuse or overuse. And when we as citizens allow politicians to obscure the truth by distorting words, we diminish ourselves and our nation.
For example, weve all heard politicians use the words democracy and freedom countless times. They are used interchangeably in modern political discourse, yet their true meanings are very different. They have become what George Orwell termed meaningless words. Words like freedom, democracy, and justice, Orwell explained, have been abused for so long that their original meanings have been eviscerated. In Orwells view, such words were often used in a consciously dishonest way.
Meaningless Words in Politics
The most important part is where Paul says:
If we intend to use the word freedom in an honest way, we should have the simple integrity to give it real meaning: Freedom is living without government coercion. So when a politician talks about freedom or liberty--regardless of the issue being discussed-- ask yourself whether he is advocating more government force or less.