Some things never change and that a shame.

"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place."

-- George Bernard Shaw

One month to go beforeElection Day/Week and I have to watch TV on "mute".

It's a house rule instituted by the woman my son called Mother Superior, who grew tired of me yelling, "That's not true!" at campaign commercials.

"Of course, it's not true," my wife will remind me calmly. "They're politicians."

I know that.

You know that.

They even know that.

But they don't stop, do they?

Some people talk about about "four more years." I dont know if I can take four more weeks.

I just want to go to bed and sleep until somebody wakes me up for Thanksgiving dinner, or maybe to open Christmas gifts.

I could quit watching TV and avoid part of the aggravation, but there are still several ways to get to me.

My wife and I were happy last month when he finally severed our telephone land-line, and all those political calls stopped. Yet nothing is fool-proof for a sufficiently talented fool. Theyre knocking on the door.

Then theres the mail.

Some have said the post office will have trouble handling mail-in ballots. I doubt it, because they sure dont have trouble delivering election propaganda.

What particularly irritates me are politiciansthat I liked at some point.

TheonesI thought would speak for me and the things I valued.But they (or their minions) are "approving the message" that shows they don't mind shucking their shorts and jumping into the mud, ready to bring it and sling it.

What can we do?

Well, I've tried to turn it into an exercise, a carefulanalysis of what is being said and what is being meant -- rarely the same thing.

Heres my list. Compiling it was therapeutic.

"(My opponent) has waged a negative campaign."

(Translation: "I have much to be negative about.")

"(My opponent) wants to let criminals out of jail."

(Translation: "Not really, but if I say it often enough, my consultants say some of you will believe me.")

"(My opponent) is trying to buy this election."

("I would prefer to steal it.")

"I am proud to be an American."

(Translation: "There are no Canadians voting in my district.")

"Childrenare our future."

("They'll have to pay for all this stuff I'm promising you.")

"(My opponent) is ignoring the issues."

("... a strategy he stole from me.")

"(My opponent) will hurt senior citizens."

("A shame because I live with my parents.")

("My opponent) will raise taxes!"

(Translation: "Making him like everybody else.")

"(My opponent) thinks leadership involves kissing babies.")

(Translation: "I will kiss the rumps that matter.")

"Paid for by friends of ..."

(Translation: "The rumps with the wallets.")

Original post:
Kirby: What they say, what they mean and what can you do? - The Augusta Chronicle