When the Far Right, in its self-righteous, self-wisdom as the self-appointed guardians of America, solicits money for its campaigns, they should at least get their facts straight and use the English language appropriately.
Case in point: A group that calls itself the Council of Seniors wants contributions to support Rep. Ron Paul in a campaign to stop Felipe Calderon, president of Mexico, from "stealing" Social Security funds as part of a plot to "give it away to his Illegal Aliens in Mexico." (Quotes are from a mass-mailing pitch letter we received.)
In the pitch letter, the executive director of the Council of Seniors warns that "America is being overrun by illegal aliens looking for a handout," and that politicians in Washington "are willing to give it to them," through a "backroom deal." (Note: If it's a "backroom deal," how do they know about it?)
The pitch letter also warns that Calderon "has set his sites" (sic) on the Social Security Trust Fund. And in a petition enclosed with the pitch, after the "Insomuch (sic) as" and the "whereas," the concluding paragraph begins, "And henceforth, I charge Congress ..."
The appropriate wording should be "sights," "Inasmuch," and "therefore."
Conveniently ignored in all the dire warnings is the reality that while those working in the U.S. illegally do pay into the Social Security system, they often do not try to collect. Making themselves known to the government would quickly lead to their expulsion.
Accusing someone of theft -- even the head of state of another nation -- is a serious charge, and unless provably true, is a libel. Moreover, labeling as "criminals" all those who come to America looking for a better life is an equally serious charge.
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