<p>If this works like really well as a college essay, then I just saved myself a month of work. If not, back to the drawing board. Feel free to be brutally honest (i.e. if you think it sucks, please oh please say so).</p>
<p>And please, PM me your feedback, as I’d like to avoid confrontation on this thread…thanx.</p>
<p>Political Jargon</p>
<pre><code>American politicians are the masters of the use of political jargon. They use it to either blame or get out of taking the blame, vilify the other party, and to turn useless words into weapons of mass destruction for the other party. The most prominent example of the abuse of political jargon prevalent in modern American politics is the word liberal and conservative.
</code></pre>
<p>Conservatives (especially Karl Rove) use the word liberal and/or communist to refer to anybody and everybody with whom they disagree. The word liberal by itself is not a word with a negative meaning or connotation whatsoever. According to the dictionary.com, it means favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs or of, or pertaining to liberalism. Liberal politicians often support political and social reform and are more open to change. There is nothing inherently evil or immoral about change and social reform. Was granting equal rights to African-Americans evil? Was granting women the right to vote and allowing them to pursue education and careers on an equal footing with men evil? Is protecting the very environment that we live in by developing alternative fuels evil? Is extending a hand of help to those who are less fortunate (often because of circumstances beyond their control) and helping them get back on their feet evil? Is a tax policy requiring those who earn more money to pay more taxes evil? Is furthering medical and scientific research by researching stem cells evil? Is allowing a woman full control of her body evil? These are all platforms that most of the so-called evil tree-hugging socialist liberals support. There is nothing evil about environmentalism, equal rights, scientific research, or welfare. In fact, if executed properly, these reforms will help better society in more ways than one.
On the other hand, just because conservatives go around constantly disparaging progressive, reform-minded liberals, that doesnt mean the so-called liberals are not guilty of the same crime. Liberals adore calling so-called conservatives backward, Christian fundamentalist televangelists who are also capitalist pigs who dont care about anything other than money. Just as the word liberal has no negative connotations whatsoever, the word conservative is not fundamentally evil. According to dictionary.com, it means disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc. or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change. Conservatives are simply that: they want to conserve what already is. Conservatives believe in minimal regulation of business. They believe that they should set some moral boundaries. They believe in minimal taxation. They believe that people should restrain themselves in certain activities. Is any of what they support evil? No. Giving business a little more autonomy, setting some boundaries, tax cuts, and restraint are all well-intentioned elements of their platform, which, again, if executed properly, will better society in many ways.
Its a shame that politicians have to resort to demagoguery and mudslinging to gain support. Anyone with above a third grade education will know for fact that rhetoric is nothing if not backed by sound execution. The abuse of political jargon, mere words that were distorted in context to vilify and instigate hatred in others, is repulsive, disgusting, and destructive to this nation and the world. It is my hope that politicians will finally back their promises with action and progress, rather than slinging mud. </p>
<p>I’m applying as a business major, but I’ll probably apply as a political science/business major if I use this essay.</p>