We are continuing our series on campaign words by looking at the words, “I’ll work for common sense solutions.”
When a politician sends the message that he will do business differently by working for common-sense solutions, it sounds appealing. It is appealing because we have seen too many crazy laws passed by liberals that make no sense, and it would be nice if politicians would start using a little common sense.
The problem is that everyone thinks their solutions are common-sense solutions — even crazy socialists and Marxists think that.
When a politician tells you, “I will use common-sense solutions,” the words have no meaning. That doesn’t mean the politician is bad. Still, the politician has used campaign words that do not provide any useful information and words that can sometimes mislead voters into thinking the politician shares the same views as the voters.
For example, remember that the people who are trying to take away your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms also call their restrictions “common sense solutions.” They think it is common sense for you to be defenseless while the elite have their armed security personnel.
When a law is proposed as a common-sense law, it is merely a tool to deflect criticism. After all, how would you dare disagree with something based on the politician’s view of common sense?
A politician’s idea of a common-sense solution may be something the politician believes will help individuals, or it may be skewed to advance the point of view of big corporations. It may be intended to advance the views of the woke left or the conservative right. It may be for big government solutions or for smaller government. It may protect the Constitution or redefine the Constitution. It could be anything.
When a politician says, “I’ll work for common sense solutions,” respectfully tell the politician that those words have no meaning because even wild-eyed liberals think their solutions are common sense solutions. Then tell the politician you would like to hear more about their ideas, asking the politician to please give specifics on what measures they will support and oppose.
It is not hard to ask for clarification. Most, if not all, candidates have social media accounts and email. We have found that many politicians are happy to have an opportunity to clarify their positions. When you ask, please be respectful and tell the candidate where you live so the candidate will know you live in the candidate’s district.
