Tax Pair

Quote:  “Sneak-a-tax.”  Figaro, putting words in the bereft mouths of the Democrats.

Figaro of Speech:  antanaclasis (an-tan-AC-la-sis), the pun.

Figaro has received many emails about his previous entry on the antanaclasis, which repeats a term with a different meaning. The figure also applies to the homonymic pun — a play on identical-sounding words. Figaro’s all-time favorite billboard advertised a Boston restaurant called Dante’s Inferno. Its antanataclasical slogan: “Children Served.”

The Dems should deploy the figure to puncture the GOP’s reputation for low taxes.  “Now, do you really think the Republicans are saving you money?” the Dems should ask rhetorically. “Of course not! They’re diverting your money to their own buddies — with the covert strategy of sneak-a-tax.”  Label the fees for parking in national parks and forests as a sneak-a-tax. The tanking dollar? Another sneak-a-tax in the form of costly Chinese toys. Then there’s the burgeoning deficit, which could qualify as the greatest sneak-a-tax of all time.

Figaro’s Democratic kibitzing should not be seen as a party endorsement, by the way.  He’s an independent who believes that the two-party “system” stinks. Still, we can’t help but root for the rhetorical underdog. The Republicans continue to talk circles around the Dems.  Why, Mitt Romney even manages to talk circles around himself.

Snappy Answer:  “That’s the Democrats for you: the party of tax-and-spin.”

Comments

[Dave]

Figaro,

You have done a great job of pointing out how the Democrats are lacking in rhetorical skills. They have such an opportunity before them but stick to their history of no rhetorical skills to capitalize on it. Perhaps you should help manage their campaign? ;) Heck, I might even vote for you if you ran.

Democrats : Tax and spend, spend, spend
Republicans: Lower taxes and spend, spend, spend

They are both going to spend, it is just that the Democrats are more responsible about their spending habits.

Looking forward to more of your wisdom,
Dave

[Figaro]

If Figaro ever ran for office, he'd campaign against himself. Thank you for the kind words nonetheless.

Fig.

[Daniel]

Fig,

If you campaigned against yourself you'd only garner more votes. You'd have to serve up a mean dish of self-hate to keep me from admiring such disinterest.

[Figaro]

You're too kind, Daniel. We'd vote against both of us.

Fig.