Words and phrases describe or trigger thoughts and beliefs in our minds. Thoughts, beliefs, conceptualizations from our knowledge based in education, learning and experiences. Words trigger all kinds of good or bad responses and feelings. For example, one could use the phrase a “polar wind” instead of a “north wind.” A “north wind” brings to mind “chilly” or “cold” weather requiring a windbreaker or “hoodie”. However a “polar wind” brings images of snow, ice, freezing temperatures that require a parka with boots and gloves.
What does one do if they want to purposely mislead another? They will use language that brings to the opponent’s mind an incorrect or false belief. Consider the term “capitalism”. Americans of my generation often assume “capitalism” is “free market”. Free to choose. Free to compete. Unencumbered by government regulations and barriers to entry to compete. Or at least, encumbered by equivalent burdens as all other competitors in the market. The kind of capitalism articulated and taught by Milton Freidman, Phd., that made America and the world the most prosperous in history. That is “the capitalism” we studied, grew up with, believed in and worked towards.
However, today when we stop and honestly consider, we all should realize that “free market” does not equate with capitalism. “Free Market” is free to choose and free to compete with equal and just barriers to entry. In a “free market” one is not controlled by unjust outside forces such as rules, regulations, licensure, business taxes, mandates, etc. In a “free market” everyone is burdened by the same regulations and governmental taxes. No one is suppose to get special favored legislation and tax rebates, etc.
Consider China, a communist country, which is not free to choose. Yet China has a “capitalist” economy that is now larger than America’s capitalist economy. America has gone from 6th place to 12th place on the world’s scale of economic freedom since the current administration took power of the Federal Government. Clearly, America is losing “freedom” and opportunity, yet we still have some kind of “capitalism”.
Here is where the powerbrokers, liars and misleaders play their game. They invent and create descriptive phrases that purposely create inaccurate and different meanings in different audiences minds. This places different people at odds with one another when they probably wouldn’t be if they had an honest and true understanding of the true controversy at hand.
Consider the term “crony-capitalism”. What is “crony”? Merriam Webster:
cro·ny noun \ˈkrō-nē\
: a close friend of someone; especially : a friend of someone powerful (such as a politician) who is unfairly given special treatment or favors
The “free market” capitalist keys in on “capitalism”. The free market proponent hears crony-capitalism and assumes:
“crony-capitalism” = “capitalism” = “free market”
Free market proponent hears only the “capitalism” term and assumes the subject at hand is “free market” capitalism and defends the actions that are occurring.
Meanwhile, the opponent of capitalism keys in on the term “crony”. The opponent of the rich and powerful controlling and issuing favors hears crony capitalism and assumes:
“crony-capitalism” = “crony” = “a friend of someone powerful (such as a politician) who is unfairly given special treatment or favors”
Old, gray, white men in power protecting their country club buddies comes to their mind and they work to destroy “capitalism.”
Crony capitalism is a term purposely invented to confuse people. A term that causes people to make assumptions that capitalism = “free market” capitalism = “crony capitalism” = crony = bad; or others to make the opposite assumption. Here is the most amazing thing about this term. Crony capitalism is a descriptive and accurate term. A capitalist economy where government controls and picks winners and losers in a capitalist economy. Individuals in government with POWER who actually pick winners and losers. Individuals hidden within government decide who has to pay higher fees and taxes and who get favors and are allowed to do business at lower costs and make higher profits.
Historically, what is the correct term to describe a government that has the power to pick winners and losers? From Merriam Webster online:
fascism noun (Concise Encyclopedia)
Philosophy of government that stresses the primacy and glory of the state, unquestioning obedience to its leader, subordination of the individual will to the state’s authority, and harsh suppression of dissent. Martial virtues are celebrated, while liberal and democratic values are disparaged. Fascism arose during the 1920s and ’30s partly out of fear of the rising power of the working classes; it differed from contemporary communism (as practiced under Joseph Stalin) by its protection of business and landowning elites and its preservation of class systems.
Crony capitalism is what China has today. Crony capitalism is what America has today.
crony-capitalism = fascism
Fascism is what China has today. Fascism is what America has today.
It is difficult to consider such a statement isn’t it? Why? Crony capitalism doesn’t alarm us. Fascism causes a deep emotional “oh no” response. There is “lost meaning and understanding,” something inherently missing from the term “crony capitalism.” Unless you know history and understand the tens or hundreds of millions of souls murdered by the progenitors of fascist organizations, you do not understand the evil inherent is such organizations. We can go to youtube or the history channel and see many black and white documentaries showing what fascism did leading up to and during World War II. And that is why a deep, anxious and foreboding emotional response accompanies any mention of “fascism” in those of us who study history.
Fascism IS the more accurate term, and if used, all Americans would be working to defeat such a system.
So what does the political leader, a governmental bureaucrat and media accomplice do to describe current circumstances? They create a new term, a phrase, that while technically correct, is wholly incomplete in the human mind for understanding. It purposely causes misunderstanding and places people at odds against one another. It purposely camouflages the honest outcome of such organizations and systems. The People stay busy arguing with a false opponent, instead of looking at what the “Crony’s” are actually doing. And if the People do not know history and language and terms, they never discover that today’s “crony’s” are yesterday’s fascists. Today’s crony’s = yesterday’s fascists = today’s fascists, and the outcome will be the same today as it was a century ago unless the People awaken to Truth.
True understanding requires accurate word and phrase choice for description. Next time you hear someone casually throwing around the term “capitalism”, ask them to articulate exactly what they are talking about. Maybe those involved in the conversation will illuminate a new understanding and become brothers and sisters in the search for truth and harmony.
The Oil for Your Lamp 
Reblogged this on Giftoftruth United.
Texas,
Great posts. The only thing I would add is this:
When a person intentionally confuses the meaning of words, it is called the fallacy of equivocation and it is bad logic (not that logic seems to matter to anyone anymore).