Don't Let Me Stop You: Political Glossary

Here are some handy definitions of terms we hear bandied about from time to time. They should help you translate the reports you hear in the MSM or on the Angry Left blogs into actual English.

cabal -- any group of more than two conservatives
moderate -- liberal, but not liberal enough
liberal -- socialist
socialist -- communist
radical -- conservative
reform -- an increase in government power and a reduction in individual autonomy
campaign reform -- an increase in the power of incumbents
progressive reform -- Hold onto your wallet.
out of the mainstream -- among the most conservative 90% of the population
Social Security Trust Fund -- a mythical asset but a real liability
lockbox -- a pile of money hidden in plain sight, guarded by no one, surrounded by thieves (e.g. "I pledge to keep the Social Security Trust Fund in a lockbox.")
risky scheme -- any measure that would increase individual control and responsibility, thereby reducing government power (e.g. "Allowing people to invest some of their Social Security taxes themselves is a risky scheme.")
whistleblower -- a courageous government official who reveals a secret, even if untrue, to the press that damages Republicans (e.g. Joe Wilson)
leaker -- a criminal government official who reveals a secret to the press that helps Republicans
deficit reduction -- tax increases for you and anyone else with any money, more money for Congress to spend
fiscal responsibility -- see "deficit reduction"
budget cut -- smaller increase than our previous, absurdly optimistic scenario
cut to the bone -- a government program that's only growing 10% over last year
tax the rich -- go after everybody with money
help the poor -- 1) give them plenty of company by making everyone poor; 2) increase dependency on government; 3) buy some votes
Tax cut for the rich -- a reduction in tax rates for those who actually pay taxes, resulting more more tax dollars collected from the same group
Turn back the clock -- elimination of any government program, no matter how abjectly it has failed
reality-based -- creating one's own reality
compassionate conservative -- the spending restraint of a drunken sailor
Republican lobbyist -- a Democrat lobbyist when the Republicans are in power
Democratic agenda -- no known meaning
closet bigot -- any Republican who has expressed no controversial opinion on racial issues