Thursday, June 16, 2011

Walter Williams on political language

Economics professor and columnist Walter E. Williams is known for his ability to explain complex ideas in straightforward and often humorous language.

In a recent column, Mr. Williams discusses two widely used political terms: redistributing income and giving back. He explains what people think the terms mean and what the terms really mean.

Read the column and watch a perceptive mind at work. This is the way we should all think about language.

The Takeaway: Do as professional writers do: before you use a word or phrase that you are not absolutely sure of, look it up in a dictionary. Then think carefully about how you intend to use it. This is especially important for philosophical, moral, economic and political terms; often they have evolved in grotesque ways, or have been deliberately corrupted for political purposes.

For the Record: This is my 300th post.

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