Posted on 11/23/2007 3:45:24 AM PST by shrinkermd
For much of the last decade or so, many Democrats complain, conservative strategists have been running rhetorical circles around Democrats with focus-grouped phrases such as "death tax" and "ownership society" that buttress Republicans' probusiness, free-market views. Meanwhile, Democrats' populist-style attacks on big business during the last two presidential elections -- for instance, by Al Gore and John Kerry -- have come across to many voters as shrill and outmoded.
Based on ancient philosophy and Roman Catholic social teaching, "common good" is becoming a poll-tested mainstay of Democratic rhetoric. Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson are using the phrase frequently in stump speeches and position papers.
One little problem: No one agrees on exactly what it means, potentially compromising its effectiveness as a rallying cry for the Democratic Party.
Mr. Edwards, the former North Carolina senator, is using it in progressive fashion, to refer to leveling the economic playing field and backing strong unions and universal health care. Sen. Obama of Illinois uses it in a more centrist sense, to mean shared duties and responsibilities, not only among classes but between the two parties. Sen. Clinton of New York uses it in both ways.
As campaign strategists seized on the "common good" as a rhetorical weapon over the last couple of years, the phrase became reduced to "a slogan," complains George Lakoff, a University of California at Berkeley linguist and sometime Democratic adviser who was an early advocate of the message.
"Politics in this election year and beyond should be about an old idea with new power -- the common good," reads a statement, published around that time by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, that progressive strategists began circulating during the campaign.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
The best way to contribute to the common good is by not contributing to the common bad.
This is a concept that’s unknowable to liberals.
From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.
BS...
“From each according to their ability... to each according to their need.” -Karl Marx
According to the “logic” exhibited by libs I demand that a bunch of wealthy people, Hollyweird libs for example, give me a lot of their stash “for the common good”. Since they have more than me, even though I’m doing alright, by my right as a needy, grasping, under-wealthy person I need some of their money. I mean a lot of it so I can retire four years early. I mean it’s for the common good don’t you know. (smirk)
Yes Karl Marx talked about the common good . The democrats are on thin ice to talk too much about the so-called common good. Who the heck defines what the common good is? Hillary Clinton?
common good is one of those phrases that anyone can interpret any way they want to. Even strong conservatives such as Reagan thought they were doing the people’s business and affecting the common good, in their own ways.
“We’re Going to Take Things Away From You on Behalf of the Common Good” Mrs. Hillary Clinton
“We must stop thinking of the individual and start thinking about what is best for society.”
and...
“I’m not going to have some reporters pawing through our papers. We are the president.”
Hillary Clinton
They prey upon those who think the Gubmint is their Saviour.
Not being an actual American himself,the rat must be taught to speak English in the way actual Americans do in order to fool them. It’s kind of like the way Hugh Laurie speaks and sounds like an American although he is not. He’s an actor. The rat is a subversive enemy, big difference.
It’s going to take some real Orwellian double-speak to convince Christians that killing babies is for the “common good.” Only those wanting to be deceived will fall for this twisted rhetoric.
LOL! They don’t *dare* use ‘for the Commonwealth’.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
It is NOT your choice of rhetoric. It is your neo solicallists, big Govt authoritarians style we-know-what -is-best-for-all-of-you-peons-so-shut-up-and-do-as your-are-told elitists political agenda that the people are rejecting.
Lakoff (rhymes with....) is the guy the Democrats hired a couple of years ago to teach them how to lie better.
Odd. All they needed to do was study Clinton.
“You’re a Democrat..... what worse could you be? Lawyer? Journalist?”
Overheard in a teacher’s lounge
Perfectly stated. And that is exactly WHY they hired a guy like Lakoff to teach them how to lie better. Isn't it so much easier being a conservative where you can sum up your ideology by simply saying you want government out of your wallet and out of your face, and that is exactly what you mean?
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