Words of wisdom this election season

We're in the silly season now, just a few weeks before the election, and so we are sure to hear the word "reform" bandied about more often and, unfortunately, picked up by unthinking reporters.

Reform, by its very connotation of positive change, is a loaded word. It's the politicians' best friend.

Thousands of people losing benefits because of "welfare reform"? But it's reform, so it must be a good thing. Immigration reform? Tax reform? Who can't be against reform?

Try to find more neutral words, like "change."

And remember this observation by C. Bruce Littlejohn, former S.C. chief justice and speaker of the S.C. House, as heard on the radio this week:

"Everybody wants reform, but nobody wants to change."