#messaging #words #phrases #”Average”People #”Different”People “sensibilities
Words matter.
More importantly, phrasing matters.
In political parlance, it’s called messaging.
Bill Torpy, columnist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, discussed this in his September 4, 2025, column.
He points out that some in the political arena are trying to talk to people using words and terms they believe express the right sensibilities for every group, but sound elitist to most people.
Think “politically correct,” “woke,” and “pregnant people.” The latter, Torpy points out, refers not to just women, but also to women trying to become men, but still can give birth.
These are terms that “average” people not only don’t use, but also don’t resonate with them.
An old adage goes: why use a 25-cent word when a 5-cent word says the same thing. But, in the case of these terms, they are not just 25-cent words. There are no 5-cent words to replace them, and they talk about concepts that are not part of “average” people’s lives.
When one uses them, particularly in a political setting in which messaging can be critical, “average” people completely do not get the message.
Those in certain groups, with whom “average” people do not necessarily associate, may appreciate the expressions of sensibility to their situations.
But, even the sincerest expression of sensibility does not necessarily win elections. Though “average” people may empathize with one’s sensibilities, they may not need or want to have them communicated. Those callous about one’s sensibilities may be more likely to say things that resonate better with “average” people.
A good rule of thumb is: even if you are totally empathic with the plight of people who are “different” from the “average,” use only language you would use at the dinner table.
“No Kings” has a ring to it. So does “Make America Great Again.” They are totally opposite viewpoints politically, but people understand what you are saying.
And, ANY message about giving certain “different” people an advantage in any selection or review process will completely turn off “average” people who want the same advantage.
Remember, in messaging, fairness is debatable. Right and wrong may have different definitions, depending on one’s perspective. The universe of understanding is a melting pot, whether we like it or not.
As a warning to those who run for office: don’t give people the impression that you will do one thing, then do the opposite if you win.
Be sincere. Mean what you say. But, it’s just as important to say it in terms that both “average” and “different” people understand.
Boutique terminology may seem fashionable, but those who mostly wear “working-man’s clothes” don’t care about fashion. In fact, they often resent it.
So, whether you run for office or not, speak simply, clearly and remember your typical dinner-table conversations. Failure to do so could have you eating your words.
Peter
Tag Archives: Bill Torpy
IT’S TOUGH BEING A YOUNG ADULT, LOOKING FOR HOUSING
#housing #HousingCosts #YoungAdults #BuyingAHouse #SellingAHouse
It’s not easy being a young adult today, trying to build a life.
As Bill Torpy, columnist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, points out, the median price for a house in Atlanta today is $405,000. He discussed the perils of young adults and housing in his May 12, 2024, column.
If you are 20-something, married or single, can you afford $405,000 for a house?
With rents on apartments also skyrocketing, it’s no wonder many young people are still leaning on “the bank of mom and dad” for help.
There are a number of issues driving up housing costs.
In decades past, a young person could get an affordable apartment to live in until he or she was able to buy a house. After all, The American Dream included home ownership.
They would buy their first house and live there until they outgrew it. Then, they would sell it to buy a bigger house. They would keep trading up in housing size as needed, until they reached retirement age.
Then, they might sell their bigger house and trade down to a smaller one, perhaps in a retirement locale with the various amenities for older folks.
That pattern is more or less out the window today. Buying and selling real estate has become something of a cut-threat endeavor.
In those old days, a person starting out might offer a price for a house that was a bit less than the seller had asked. The seller, looking for a firm sale, would usually accept. Today, it’s more likely that a buyer will have to bid up from the asking price, and might still lose out.
The demand for housing today is way over what the supply is. Because people can’t make any more land, most property available for building has been spoken for. That caps the supply at a certain level, but the population has grown considerably from decades ago, and keeps growing.
Also in the housing mix are entities such as property management companies, hedge funds and real estate investment trusts that tempt sellers with cash offers, leaving many young buyers out of luck.
Meanwhile, apartments and condos are going up like crazy in some areas.
Often, new apartments mean high rent, and new condos can be overpriced and have high owner fees to maintain common areas etc.
Tiny houses, and housing made from shipping containers also have been trending. These are not an option if one plans to have a family, or even a spouse.
Something else is happening today. Many young adults want everything now. They won’t settle for a fixer-upper, or rooms they view as too small. Many want what they are used to – what their parents have. And, they want it now. They are unwilling to accept something less, and work up to what they ultimately want.
If you are young, and do not want to live with mom and dad for the rest of your life, flexibility is the key. Chances are, even if you buy or rent someplace that’s not exactly what you want, figure on making do until you can save enough to afford more. As you trade up, you may not get everything you want at each stage. But, with each stage, you may get something more.
It’s not always possible in some areas to find adequate, affordable housing. But, if you keep looking, you may run into something you can work with. By the way, try not to get too comfortable living with mom and dad.
Remember, too, that a house is a house. A home is what you make with the house you have.
Peter
It’s not easy being a young adult today, trying to build a life.
As Bill Torpy, columnist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, points out, the median price for a house in Atlanta today is $405,000. He discussed the perils of young adults and housing in his May 12, 2024, column.
If you are 20-something, married or single, can you afford $405,000 for a house?
With rents on apartments also skyrocketing, it’s no wonder many young people are still leaning on “the bank of mom and dad” for help.
There are a number of issues driving up housing costs.
In decades past, a young person could get an affordable apartment to live in until he or she was able to buy a house. After all, The American Dream included home ownership.
They would buy their first house and live there until they outgrew it. Then, they would sell it to buy a bigger house. They would keep trading up in housing size as needed, until they reached retirement age.
Then, they might sell their bigger house and trade down to a smaller one, perhaps in a retirement locale with the various amenities for older folks.
That pattern is more or less out the window today. Buying and selling real estate has become something of a cut-threat endeavor.
In those old days, a person starting out might offer a price for a house that was a bit less than the seller had asked. The seller, looking for a firm sale, would usually accept. Today, it’s more likely that a buyer will have to bid up from the asking price, and might still lose out.
The demand for housing today is way over what the supply is. Because people can’t make any more land, most property available for building has been spoken for. That caps the supply at a certain level, but the population has grown considerably from decades ago, and keeps growing.
Also in the housing mix are entities such as property management companies, hedge funds and real estate investment trusts that tempt sellers with cash offers, leaving many young buyers out of luck.
Meanwhile, apartments and condos are going up like crazy in some areas.
Often, new apartments mean high rent, and new condos can be overpriced and have high owner fees to maintain common areas etc.
Tiny houses, and housing made from shipping containers also have been trending. These are not an option if one plans to have a family, or even a spouse.
Something else is happening today. Many young adults want everything now. They won’t settle for a fixer-upper, or rooms they view as too small. Many want what they are used to – what their parents have. And, they want it now. They are unwilling to accept something less, and work up to what they ultimately want.
If you are young, and do not want to live with mom and dad for the rest of your life, flexibility is the key. Chances are, even if you buy or rent someplace that’s not exactly what you want, figure on making do until you can save enough to afford more. As you trade up, you may not get everything you want at each stage. But, with each stage, you may get something more.
It’s not always possible in some areas to find adequate, affordable housing. But, if you keep looking, you may run into something you can work with. By the way, try not to get too comfortable living with mom and dad.
Remember, too, that a house is a house. A home is what you make with the house you have.
Peter