Tell-it-like-it-is-aphobia

Criticism of Romney’s “firing” comment is yet another troubling sign of our stifling political correctness, aversion to blunt frankness on issues, and wanton distortion of sincere words spoken.

For those of you who missed the context of his “I like being able to fire people” comment, here it is:

"I want individuals to have their own insurance. That means the insurance company will have an incentive to keep you healthy. It also means if you don't like what they do, you can fire them. I like being able to fire people who provide services to me. You know, if someone doesn't give me a good service that I need, I want to say I'm going to go get someone else to provide that service to me."

Some suggest Romney shouldn’t have used the word “fire”, that it was too harsh.  Or that he should have known that word would be used against him – perhaps thinking “what kind of naïve politician is he anyway?”

I would rather have a slightly naïve politician than a slick politician any day.

But there was no naiveté in what Romney said.  None.  He spoke the bare truth.

Public relations consultants and ad men are the spokesmen for Romney’s Republican opponents.  They were put off by Romney’s bluntness.  They saw it as an opportunity to go after his “evil” capitalist experience.   They led the charge of snarkiness against Romney’s comments.  Romney’s bluntness is upsetting to public relations and advertising types who are especially practiced in their use of verbal nuances and psychological manipulation via words.  They use words every day to skillfully influence folks into buying products or services or doing things that they might not otherwise buy or do.  It must be unsettling for them to hear a candidate use words like “fire” in such a blunt way.   “Fire” omagosh, he used the word “fire!” 

I love bluntness when “blunt” is the truth.  And not just the truth, but expressive of the feelings we all share.  Who doesn’t love the ability (if not the act) to fire those who are doing a crummy job, who are wasting our time or ripping us off?

Along the same lines as Romney’s bluntness, we have the words of the Mayor of Philadelphia, Michael Nutter, whose video is making the rounds on the net.  What responsible father would not love his speech on behalf of responsible behavior?  He is not being politically correct.  In fact, much of the black community is probably critical of what he is saying.  Start at 9:20

Nutter using blunt, truthful words–not politically correct at all.

I am bored and disgusted with the political correctness of carefully chosen words that avoid the truth.  There is little difference between such political correctness and a huckster peddling swamp land in Florida, or an ad man crafting a slick infomercial for a product of marginal utility or those who tip-toe around the truth of fascist Islam.  The words may sound plausible but they miss the truth just enough to be deceptive lies.