Success in life is all about having superior decoding skills.
For example, when a realtor advertises an apartment as "cozy," rest assured that you'll be able to open your refrigerator and put your feet on the couch while using the toilet.
It's no different when politicians take the microphone.
"My fellow Americans" really means "I'm just like you; you can trust me. We're on the same team."
"My opponent claims..." actually means "He's the bad guy; don't believe a word out of that mouth."
"Now let me give you some statistics" translates to "Prepare to be bored to tears so that you'll stop listening, and I can fill up my allotted time with hooey."
"I have not made a decision to run" is political-speak for "I'll announce my candidacy soon."
And finally, in the interest of supreme showmanship (and what is politics if not good theatre?), the best secret message of all is saved for the grand finale': "God bless you and God bless America."
"Bless" means "help."
7/24/2026
The Words That Got to Me
"Bless" means "help." This made me laugh (wryly/manically!)
I loved the irony of this piece. You have a witty but very pointed piece of political commentary here. We're on, I think, our 7th Prime Minister in ten years here, (I've lost count), and I am so tired of political speeches and posturing! I could add to your essay very easily - how about our well-worn phrase, used by Keir Starmer last year, but employed pretty much by every political leader, 'And that is because, as everybody in the country knows, the last government broke the NHS [but insert any institution you wish to name from industry to education]. But until this morning, we didn’t know the full scale of the damage' - this translates to: 'There will be no money to fix anything, ever again, so don't bother dreaming of anything improving! Oh and by the way, I'm putting up your taxes.'