A Liberal Translation

A few days ago I wrote a piece called "Maybe Gary Johnson for a Change." Interestingly, it went "mini-viral" as measured by the humble number of readers who usually read this blog. About 725%  more "unique visitors" came to this page to read it than the average number. Quite a jump.

Most of them came because the piece was "linked to" on Gary Johnson's facebook page. And although about eighty five people left some kind of comment there, very few were left here. That is not unusual among my readers (I get a lot of private email about my posts) and it's fine with me. In this case it's just as well in some ways, because many of the comments left on his page had nothing whatsoever to do with the main theme of the piece I wrote.

But a few comments were left here, and I always appreciate the feedback. One of them, left by an anonymous poster, got me to thinking about what people say vs what they really mean.  So it seemed like it might be fun to dissect it a tad and see what it looked like. Particularly since the anonymous commentator seemed fairly riled up about what he/she perceived to be my points.

So I'll take a quick stab at translating the comment by Mr/Ms Anonymous poster from a language I think may be "Liberalese" into plain English. (or at least my version of it)

First the comment in it's entirety, then my translation, then some observations for the poster.

Anonymous said...

What utter nonsense. The only "contrast" that most Republicans want to control is Obama's skin color, and any of you who draw a Social Security check or endulge in Medicare can kiss my a** about socialism. Nixon was the biggest "socialist" president in our history by bill signed into law, so get over yourselves, and the difference between Romneycare and Obamacare was that a white guy from the Republican party did not put his stamp of approval on the national plan (Love ya Mitt for yet another 180 on your policies). Gary is a neat guy, and progressive for a Republican. He'd get shot to he** in two seconds by the know-nothings for his views in a party which, outside of New Mexico, forces moderation out of any discussion, and makes even the "mavericks" kiss their reactionary rear-ends...

Translation:
"What utter nonsense" = I disagree.

"The only "contrast" that most Republicans want to control is Obama's skin color" = most Republicans are racists.

"and any of you who draw a Social Security check or endulge in Medicare can kiss my a** about socialism." = anyone who has had their money taken away (at gunpoint if necessary) to be put into ponzi scheme retirement and medical insurance programs without an "opt out" provision cannot ever oppose socialism if they ever get some of their money back out of those schemes, without having to smooch the anonymous person's booty.
 
"Nixon was the biggest "socialist" president in our history by bill signed into law, so get over yourselves," =  I didn't like Nixon and somehow that has something to do with you.
 
"the difference between Romneycare and Obamacare was that a white guy from the Republican party did not put his stamp of approval on the national plan" = white guys are bad and Republicans would support nationalized health insurance if they had thought of it first.
 
"(Love ya Mitt for yet another 180 on your policies). " = I don't like Mitt Romney.
 
"Gary is a neat guy, and progressive for a Republican." = I like Gary because he wants to decriminalize Pot.
 
"He'd get shot to he** in two seconds by the know-nothings for his views in a party which, outside of New Mexico, forces moderation out of any discussion, and makes even the "mavericks" kiss their reactionary rear-ends.."  = Republicans in all places except New Mexico are reactionary and like their booty kissed too.
 
So here are my comments to the "anonymous" poster now that his/her comments have been translated.
 
Dear Poster,  
I am not a Republican and I don't spend time defending them against charges against them, fair or unfair.
But if you know any Republicans, maybe friends or relatives, I suggest you take a hard look at them and decide if they are racists. If they are, tell them you think they are and "un-friend" them. Of course it will be harder to do anonymously.
 
You may want to give some thought to all Obama's policies to see if there are any YOU disagree with, and then decide if you oppose them because of the color of his skin. It's worth contemplating.
 
Nixon was a big government liberal. Which party owns his legacy is of no importance to me. Other big government liberals include all recent Presidents of both parties.
 
 Government interference in our lives, (most notably in your post, government run health insurance)  is more than a bad idea no matter which party proposes or administrates it.
 
Nannystate-ism is different than socialism. The government owning automobile companies and banks and mortgage companies is socialism, and the current government oligarchy are socialists. Both of those "isms" are destructive to freedom, and freedom is the issue of this blog.
 
My essay was about the country finally beginning to have the great debate on the proper role of government in a free society. It really wasn't about Gary Johnson the person, but the type of person the country might need for a REAL change. Not just a shift change of the clowns in the circus.
 
If you would ever like to exchange some ideas on that topic, please return and participate again, even if anonymously.
 
Thanks for reading,
Grant Davies