In Is Talk Cheap? Thomas Sowell warns that talk matters, words matter, and the ability to express oneself in speech matters tremendously. He calls to mind the gripping power of Winston Churchill and the enormity of the impact his powers of speech and expression had on history. With will and words, Churchill carried the Britons to heights of hope and endurance against Hitler and his juggernaut.
Sowell’s thoughts:
“Talk matters for good reasons as well as bad…..Unfortunately, people on the make seem to have a keener appreciation of the power of words, as the magic road to other power, than do people defending values that seem to them too obvious to require words.
“The expression, “It goes without saying. . .” is a fatal trap. Few things go without saying. Some of the most valuable things in life may go away without saying– whether loved ones in one’s personal life or the freedom or survival of a nation.”
Sowell points to the shell game Obama and his new administration play with words. Cloaked in vocabulary, this administration hides the blatant reality of legislation that would take away workers’ right to a secret ballot by calling it, “Employers’ Freedom of Choice Act.” “Choice” what a lovely word. Where have we seen it go wrong before?
Obama’s budget of deficits is labelled “A New Era of Responsibility.” Sowell says of Obama, “You want responsibility? He’ll give you the word “responsibility.” Why not? It costs nothing.
Those of you who want your country back, be on the lookout for a Presidential candidate who can handle the language without speaking in the “patrician style of country club Republicans.” Look, too, for someone with a good non-apologetic offensive.” According to Sowell, “General Douglas MacArthur gave a one-word definition of defensive warfare: defeat!”
Last and most important! Look out America! I believe that the gift of gab that got Golden Mouth elected won’t stop with words. Deception breeds deception, whether in word or deed.
Into Stillness 