Translation

Allow me to offer a direct and simple translation of Bush's State of the Union address.

Its pretty simple to follow and it requires that you only keep two things in mind.


The two things are:

1. What Bush says.

2. What Bush means.

Most people are of the idea that when someone speaks they actually mean what they are saying. Its a basic understanding that we all share about communication. I say something like, "I am thirsty and I need a glass of water." What I am saying and my meaning converge into one nice little neat statement. I thirst, I want water.

This neat little linking of words and meaning is NOT what George Bush does. No, he does something quite different.

Bush mouths words, but the meaning of the words, that is what will actually occur and what is intended, is far far different from the meaning ordinary human beings connect with his words.

So for example, Bush will talk eloquently about health care. With 47 million uninsured people in America, with skyrocketing health care costs savaging the American economy, health care is a big topic.

With most progressive countries offering universal health care to all its citizens, the United States is all alone in NOT offering universal health care.

So to get back to the Bush words and meaning issue. Bush wants a tax credit for health care. Sounds great doesn't it. This will sove the problem. But what is his meaning. He means that the fabulously wealthy people in the United States will get another massive tax cut, so that the burdens of running our crumbling entity is further squared directly onto the shoulders of the poor, working, and middle classes.

Pretty neat wouldn't you say? The words sound great, health care tax credit for everybody, including the poor! WOW! The meaning though is, additional big tax cuts for my wealthy friends.