Posted by
Jason on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:45:34 AM
A Liberal New York Times columnist (please forgive my redundancy) believes that people will not mind paying so much in taxes if we simply start calling them "dues."
It’s time to take a page from the conservative playbook, the one where they reframe the debate by changing the language — for instance, calling the “estate tax” a “death tax,” or making equal rights for same-sex partners a “protection of marriage” issue. I propose we stop saying “taxes” and start calling them “dues.”
Yes, this is a little sneaky. Some conservatives may even call it Orwellian, and they ought to know. But the word “dues” also plays into the psychology of group identity, and that can work to the benefit of conservatives and liberals alike. Consider that “tax” comes from the Latin for “appraise” with punitive overtones of “censure” or “fault,” as if wage-earners have done something wrong by their labors. “Dues,” in contrast, is rooted in social obligation and duty.
First, it's somewhat disingenuous to say that only Conservatives reframe debates by changing terminology. Liberals champion this cause as well. For instance, "global warming" is now "climate change" (global temps haven't risen since 1998, but we still need a crisis), "legalized abortions" are now "reproductive rights," and they're even trying to rebrand themselves... No longer as "Liberal," but "Progressive."
Second, and more importantly, how out of touch is this entire commentary? Does he really think that most people consider the etymology of the word "tax" when they grumble about the first five months of their working year going to the IRS?
Do us a favor... Don't change the terminology. Change the spending habits of pandering politicians who waste most of the money we send them on schemes to secure their own electoral future. Then maybe we wouldn't make such a fuss about sending some of our hard-earned (yes, hard-earned) money their way...