We should never use the word "reform" to describe any conservative policy ideas.

[Ken Burch]

"reform', as most of us understand it, is about correcting illicit or even corrupt practices. It implies that the thing being "reformed" is somehow illegitimate and or even illegal.

But none of the ideas conservatives have called "reform" have proposed in the last thirty-four years have ever been about "reforming" anything...they've all been simply about getting rid of cutting benefits, ending progressive policies, and increasing inequality between races and classes.

"Tax reform" was never about anything but cutting taxes for the wealthy and raising them for the rest of us.

"Tort reform" was never about making the civil justice system less corrupt or unjust, it was simply about protecting corporations from facing any real consequences for their actions, by protecting them from the only thing that ever makes corporations change their actions-large settlements awarded to the victims of corporate malfeasance.

"Welfare reform" was never about making the welfare system work better or about getting anyone back to work-it was simply about punishing poor people(mainly single mothers)for daring to accept a benefit they were entitled to when that benefit was clearly the only chance they had to keep their kids from starving or going without medical care.

And now "entitlement reform" is not about stopping any abuse or excess spending in the entitlement system, it's about reducing benefits to those who have earned them through a lifetime of hard work and about forcing people to work longer to get those benefits...all to prevent the wealthy from paying anything close to their fair share in taxes.

So let's not endorse the right-wing narrative by using "reform", a word that should be reserved for positive change, as code for an attack on social decency and the rights of the non-wealthy majority.

[DonCoquixote]

1. Amen

The truth is, because we have a delusion that we somehow have to take some mythical high road, we fail to attack delusions with the clearness and intensity they deserve. Let us stop acting like we have to apologize for the knowledge, not belief that starving widows and children in order that the oligarchs can live ten times better than Caesar ever could is not merely immoral and disgusting, it is also proven to be a lousy way to run an economy.

[Kalidurga]

2. Your post is breathtaking in it's brilliance

one every single point. I thought the tipping point would be when GOPers denied First Responders benefits and when they attacked teachers, but both things seem to have gone unnoticed by the rank and file. Let's not forget either the shoddy treatment they give returning vets when they are in need of mental health services among other things.

[treestar]

3. Made me look up the word

reform |riˈfôrm| verb [ with obj. ]
1 make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it: an opportunity to reform and restructure an antiquated schooling model.
• bring about a change in (someone) so that they no longer behave in an immoral, criminal, or self-destructive manner: the state has a duty to reform criminals | (as adj. reformed) : a reformed gambler.
• [ no obj. ] (of a person) change oneself for the better: it was only when his drunken behavior led to blows that he started to reform.
2 Chemistry subject (hydrocarbons) to a catalytic process in which straight-chain molecules are converted to branched forms for use in gasoline.
noun

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. Good point; but you missed the Grand Daddy of ALL "reform" perversions:

EDUCATION "reform".

Which ... as most reasonable people have now come to realize... is really public school *privatization* and profiteering.

Despite the fact that it has consistently been... and in some cases still is.... supported and promoted by RW Dems, here and elsewhere.

Along with the usual "reformers" of the other party.

[Ken Burch]

5. Thanks for adding that n/t.

[JaneyVee]

6. PREACH!