New Vocabulary

Written by: Sheila Condit on Apr 22, 2008 2:32 PM EDT

It doesn't sit well with me, on Earth Day in particular, that those who carry the mindset of entrenched authoritarian perspectives fashion themselves "Conservative" and Progressives politely adopt their vernacular.  We have done so thoughtlessly, like the television anchors who started to use the Republican party moniker for it's opponents even in the possessive (i.e. the Democrat platform rather than the Democratic platform).  Democratic sounds too,,,well, Democratic.  This isn't correct.  The only thing they wish to conserve is the status quo.  I'm leaping off of the double speak bandwagon.

Perhaps "Rightist" would be more proper.  Or "Traditionalist."  Or "Reactionary."  I'll have to keep working on it, though, Rightist rings pretty well true.

I do not object to conservative notions in a wholesale manner; not by a long shot.  I want to maintain and nurture the earth my children will inherit, for example.  I want it's vitality preserved and strengthened.  Rightists often don't, which means, of course, they aren't truly conservative.

I want to eliminate the glut with which we have all been deluded in this wealthy nation.  I want responsible behavior to guide my use of the abundance available to me.  That's conservative, but not rightist.

Words count and we CAN change those that roll out without reflection.  I know it's important, and I know this vocabulary ought be altered.  When I was very little, people didn't catch tigers by the toe.  It is significant that that will not even be understood by young posters.  For older readers my point is made; for younger ones...some things change for the better when there is a co-operative shift in what is reasonable to accept. 

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