Semantics
Discussion on a certain word is warranted by the derisive attitude to which it is referred. The word I am talking about is Welfare, and the action which spurs this diatribe is the PA House Rules Committee, led by Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), changing the Department of of Public Welfare name to the Department of Human Services.
While the new name is not, not befitting the role and mission of the department in question the change from the old one is only further proof of Republican victory in a messaging war which has been ongoing for decades.
What Does Welfare Mean?
I am no etymologist but the accepted definition of the word welfare is: the state of doing well especially in respect to good fortune, happiness, well-being, or prosperity. This does not seem then like any other dirty words. You would not know it though given the reception the word receives from Republicans.
What Good is a War of Words Really?
A messaging victory on this does have implications. To change the name sends the message that we accept Welfare is in fact a "bad word". It is a word we don't want our government to have a part in.
Why would we want our government to have a hand in helping its citizens achieve a state of doing well especially in respect to good fortune, happiness, well-being, or prosperity anyway?
If we take the changing of the name to based on the word's meaning as it applies to government assistance, then this is too problematic. The changing of the word then means that we do not believe that government should be assisting people, and that the distribution of that assistance is shameful.
Both predicaments are unfortunate results of a failure by Democrats or anyone who feels there is a deserving poor, or that government has a role in the direct development of prosperity, to speak out.
Next time someone casually uses the term welfare in a negative context remind them of what they are really saying. This is all it takes to turn the tides in the messaging war.
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