We often talk past each other because we use different language, even if we all use English. In Chinese the same sounds may have at least four different meanings — depending on the tone of voice. In English a “sound” may have different meanings, depending on the context or the spelling. Pundits and politicians should use words in ways that are understandable and fair.
Forgive
- to cease to feel resentment against (an offender) : forgive one’s enemies
- a. to give up resentment of or claim to requital for forgive an insult.
b. to grant relief from payment of forgive a debt.
- stop feeling angry or resentful toward someone for (an offense, flaw, or mistake).
“he was not a man who found it easy to forgive and forget“
- cancel (a debt).
“he proposed that their debts should be forgiven”
- used in polite expressions as a request to excuse or regard indulgently one’s foibles, ignorance, or impoliteness.
“you will have to forgive my suspicious mind”
But who can forgive? Only the person offended or the person or institution to whom a monetary debt is owed. Jesus taught about a man who was forgiven much but would not forgive.
Matthew 18:23-30 ESV
23 “A king wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 Since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 Out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 When that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 His fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.”
The United States has a debt of $37 trillion. Is it “forgiveness” if a president refuses to collect student loans so that our great grandchildren are left holding the bag of massive debt? Hyper inflation is the only way that nations have found to make the burden of massive debt disappear.
Mandate
noun: mandate
1. an official order or commission to do something.
“a mandate to seek the release of political prisoners”
- a commission by which a party is entrusted to perform a service, especially without payment and with indemnity against loss by that party.
- an order from an appellate court to a lower court to take a specific action.
- a written authority enabling someone to carry out transactions on another’s bank account.
2. the authority to carry out a policy or course of action, regarded as given by the electorate to a candidate or party that is victorious in an election . . .
verb: mandate
1. give (someone) authority to act in a certain way.
“other colleges have mandated coed fraternities”
- require (something) to be done.
“the government began mandating better car safety”
mandate: noun
- an authoritative command
especially a formal order from a superior court or official to an inferior one
- an authorization to act given to a representative
mandate: verb
- to officially require (something)
make (something) mandatory: a law mandating recycling
also : to direct or require (someone) to do something
a commission mandated to investigate corruption
In political terms “mandate” is often used in Europe for the pre-election published position of a political party (or coalition of parties) to win an election. It is obligated to try to fulfill that pledge. These “mandates” are much shorter and more specific than our voluminous “platforms.”
It is now used loosely to mean the extemporaneous or even contradictory thoughts of a single candidate who wins an election, in order to justify actions by the entire party.
Fascism
American Heritage Dictionary:;
A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, a capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls, violent suppression of the opposition, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
a populist political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual, that is associated with a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, and that is characterized by severe economic and social regimentation and by forcible suppression of opposition.
Italy’s government under Mussolini (1925-1943 as dictator) had antecedents in history. Its features are the primary reference for the term. It is now used loosely as a term of reproach if one or more of these features are trending with the illogical assumption that those reproached intend to move into full fascist mode.
Marxism
The political, economic, and social principles and policies advocated by Marx
especially : a theory and practice of socialism, including the labor theory of value, dialectical materialism, the class struggle, and dictatorship of the proletariat until the establishment of a classless society.
Marxist–Leninist atheism, also known as Marxist–Leninist scientific atheism, is the antireligious element of Marxism–Leninism. Based upon a dialectical-materialist understanding of humanity’s place in nature, Marxist–Leninist atheism proposes that religion is the opium of the people; thus, Marxism–Leninism advocates atheism, rather than religious belief.
“Marxist” is now used loosely as a term of reproach for those with big government plans. Personally I never understood Marx, Lenin, or Engels. I have read Mao’s Little Red Book. China’s early years — say from 1949-1976 were perhaps the only significant society which actually tried Marxism. Perhaps as many as 40,000,000 Chinese died of starvation, disease, and torture as a direct result. With lesser degrees of Marxist purity, the USSR, Mongolia, North Korea, and Cuba tried the model.
Historically Marxists (international socialists) and fascists (national socialists) violently opposed each other. Their actual programs were similar. The “far left” and “far right” have much in common.
DEAR READERS
Send your nomination of words that confuse policy to paulstam@stamlawfirm.com. This is the third installment in a series. Part I and Part II explore corruption, liberal/ conservative/progressive, legalize/decriminalize, non profit, bipartisan and democracy/republic. See www.paulstam.info
