You can learn a lot about a person’s beliefs by the language that they use. For example, Democrats denounce tax cuts as “a giveaway to the rich” over and over again. What is the underlying belief that this phrase betrays?
A tax cut allows someone to keep more of their own money, but Democrats don’t see it that way. The phrase “a giveaway to the rich” implies that a tax cut is the same as giving money to someone. In other words, allowing someone to keep their money is no different than giving them the money (Orwell would be proud).
The underlying belief is that each person’s money actually belongs to society, and society graciously “gives” you what you are allowed to keep. This means that everyone has a right to your property except for you!
It is no wonder that Democrats become outraged every time a tax cut is proposed. They don’t think that we should “give” more of society’s money to the rich by allowing them to keep more of their own money.
If money belongs to society rather than individuals, then I don’t blame them for thinking that it is unfair to “give” more money to rich people. I am a staunch believer in private property rights, so I strongly disagree with their premise, but their reasoning is sound.
What other phrases do people use that communicate their hidden underlying beliefs?
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