Is it just big talk?
by Steve McIntosh
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posted Dec 6 2012 12:54AM
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Strong political rhetoric in the public discussion of the so-called “fiscal cliff” and possible ideas to avoid taking the plunge in January. Rhetoric is defined as “the art of persuasive or effective speech or writing; declamation; artificial eloquence or sophistry; exaggerated oratory”.
In other words, much of what we’ve been hearing is bluff and bluster, designed to keep the other side off balance … and possibly pandering to the political base. Are we to take this rough language seriously?
And is this ‘brinksmanship’ a good idea … given the none-too-impressive election victory for the president, and a Congressional approval rating near the single digits?
Frankly, a plunge over the fiscal cliff probably will NOT be devastating to me. My wife and I will return to paying the taxes we did before the Bush tax cut … and do as we always have done … adjust. But the idea of yet another recession is still frightening!
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Our thought for today is from Aristotle:
“It is simplicity that makes the uneducated more effective than the educated when addressing popular audiences.”
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