The term “Orwellian” is overused in modern political discourse. That’s because the authoritarian regime of George Orwell’s classic dystopian novel is an easy comparison for whatever thing the speaker wants to argue against in the political debate du jour.
But sometimes the comparison is truly deserved—like when politicians seek to quell political discourse by torturing language itself to suit their ends and disparage their opponents.
For example, radical progressives use the term “decency” to cover up legally indecent and morally reprehensible materials in the hands of school-age children.
This is exactly what is currently going on in the Maryland General Assembly. A few weeks ago, the speaker of the House of Delegates, Adrienne Jones, D-Baltimore County, announced what she calls her “decency agenda.”
What could be wrong with that? After all,…
