Wednesday, December 23, 2009

How Does Changing One Word Change the Meaning of a Sentence

I was reading an AP report about the special deal Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson received in exchange for his vote for the Senate's version of the Health Care Bill. From the article:

"Under the Senate bill the federal government will pay the entire cost of an expansion of Medicaid in Nebraska, unlike other states, which will have to start picking up a portion of the tab themselves after several years."

When we read this, it seems unfair. Why should Nebraska get special treatment? But look at the wording closely, and just for fun, replace "federal government" with "US Taxpayer" and see how it sounds.

Under the Senate bill the US Taxpayer will pay the entire cost of an expansion of Medicaid in Nebraska, unlike other states, which will have to start picking up a portion of the tab themselves after several years.

For even a few more laughs, change the same words to "hard working father of two that lives in Texas."

Under the Senate bill the hard working father of two that lives in Texas will pay the entire cost of an expansion of Medicaid in Nebraska, unlike other states, which will have to start picking up a portion of the tab themselves after several years.

This has suddenly become very real.

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