ORWELL WOULD BE IMPRESSED -- (Feb. 9, 2005 - Anderson Valley Advertiser)
Those who control the definitions...
You've got to hand it to the Conservatives. They're certainly winning the language game. It's amazing that when they impugn Liberals or declare what they stand for, so many people seem to buy into it. Consider just a few examples: Conservatives say that 'Liberals hate America'. (Translation: Liberals are opposed to Conservative policies and actions.) Conservatives say or imply that 'Liberals do not support the troops'. (Translation: Liberals do not support Bush's war in Iraq and want to bring the troops home.) Conservatives say they are for 'family values and moral values' and imply that Liberals are not. (Translation: Conservatives are for right-wing values, i.e., they are anti-gay, anti-abortion, and pro-Christianity.) Conservatives say they want to give all Americans 'access' to buying health insurance. (Translation: If you can afford health insurance, then you are allowed to purchase it.)
Orwell must be squirming in his grave!Steve Rubin
Willits
PS. Bush recently proposed a $3,000 tax credit to encourage people who don't have public or employer-provided health insurance to buy coverage. The problem is that most people won't have an extra $500 plus, per month to pay for health insurance. Even if they could pay it, a tax credit of $3000 means that someone would still wind up paying $3000 plus, per year for health insurance. It's better than nothing, but the vast majority of people without health insurance still wouldn't be able to afford it.