When Democrats are having a hard time making words fit their narrative, there’s a simple fix – change the definition.
They recently redefined “recession” and have completely flip-flopped the meanings of “affirming” and “conversion” in regards to gender.
Now New York Governor Kathy Hochul just revealed the next word Democrats want to redefine as Orwell rolls in his grave.
An inmate by any other name
The Democrat Party is really doing a number on the English language.
Their latest assault on the dictionary comes from unelected New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
In the Empire State, prisoners will no longer be called “inmates.”
Instead, they’ll now be known as “incarcerated individuals.”
And according to CBS 6 out of Albany, New York, that is now the law of the land in New York.
Hochul and the Democrats’ pro-crime policies
Hochul’s Republican opponent in the 2022 Midterms, Rep. Lee Zeldin, has been making the case that she’s pro-crime.
Zeldin points to the rapidly surging violent crime rates in the state, along with Hochul’s support of cashless bail and Big Apple District attorney Alvin Bragg, who is refusing to prosecute many crimes.
Hochul’s critics, including Zeldin, can point to this redefining of prisoners as just the latest example of the unelected Governor once again putting the needs of the criminal ahead of the needs of the victim.
Dr. Lee Miringoff of Marist College believes Hochul is sacrificing the law-and-order issue in favor of exciting her woke base.
“Crime is not her strong issue,” Dr. Miringoff said. “She needs to broaden her discussion beyond law and order. It’s not going to gain her any votes. She’s hoping this action that she’s taking will solidify her base and help with turnout, which is probably her biggest concern right now.”
According to Dr. Miringoff, any voter who would say the Governor is not doing enough about crime, is already inclined to not vote for her.
He says they will hear this news and it will simply solidify their thinking.
New York state of mind
However, Hochul does have her usual supporters – like Melanie Trimble of the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Trimble says the move to call prisoners “incarcerated individuals” as opposed to “inmates” will help “dignify – and humanize – people who have done their time.”
“I mean, there’s anecdotal evidence that recidivism rates are much lower when reentry is a much smoother path for people,” Trimble said.
Of course, anecdotal evidence is next to meaningless – and Trimble fails to explain how this change in phrasing will equate to a “smoother re-entry.”
Is “incarcerated” any softer than “inmate”?
Won’t the average person hear either phrase and simply think, “criminal.”
The latest Siena College poll on the race has Hochul leading Zeldin by 14-points.
A Republican hasn’t won a statewide race in the Empire State since George Pataki won re-election to the Governor’s mansion 20-years-ago, all the way back in 2002.
