I got a kick out of an article in one of my UC Berekely links (http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/10/27_lakoff.shtml) where a professor of linquistics complains that the use of the expression "tax relief" is an unfair usage of language by conservatives. He has gone on to found a "Progressive" think tank.
The word "progressive" is used by left-wingers to describe themselves, as the word itself has positive connotations, (you could thing of the opposite of progressive as "regressive" and that would, of course, mean right wingers.)
The words "tax relief" have a positive connotation: relief from a "burden", so right wingers are providing relief while left wingers are causing a burden.
I love the use of language, but I think someone calling himself a progressive shouldn't complain about his opponents deceptive use of language. Lefty-loosies are no mor "progressive" (as opposed to "regressive") than righty-tighties are, and "relief" was originally used by lefty-loosies to describe social welfare programs. The word has both negative and positive load value.
Prof. Lakoff seems to be tied to political ideology rather than a cold hard look at how he is equally guilty of trying to influence the thoughts of others by the use of language. (Of course, that is what language is for.)
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