Framing the terms of the debate
Published Thu, Feb 1 2007 8:17 PM
Technorati Tags: Democrats
Recently there was a big stink about the use of the word "democrat" in the state of the union address. Apparently democrats objected to it.
I suppose it comes down to something that seems to be common when we talk about the democrats and the left in general. They want to choose the terms we use.
That makes sense in a way. If you choose the words, you can influence the way people think. They've chosen to call themselves the "democratic" party, as if only they believe in democracy.
Now that Hugo "I smell sulfur" Chavez' supporters have helped to clear up a misconception I've had most of my adult life, I guess I can see their point. After all, "socialism is democracy" according to the socialists in Venezuela. And all this time I thought that the two were pretty much mutually exclusive.
I was obviously wrong. If you look at the major goals and ideals behind socialism, you'll find that they nicely dovetail with the democratic platform.
I don't believe in socialism, despite the fact that it exists. So I guess, I don't believe in democracy, at least not the way they do in Venezuela, or apparently in the democratic party.
No wonder they get upset over "ic".
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