Media and Propaganda

Language, Media, Doublespeak and Wordplay: how they affect us daily
I realize that I have chosen a controversial issue to use my newfound skills of acknowledging different kinds of word tricks that are bestowed upon us as citizens. I felt that this particular issue is perfect because it exposes the propaganda of each side efficiently. All of the participants in this debate use some words that will, they hope, win the hearts and minds of all those listening. By using the media, the propaganda of each ones statements begin to spread and catch like a wildfire. Due to the sensitivity of Section 8 in Lancaster you will see a clear example of how words can be used to put forward one’s own ideas and beliefs.
In an article found in Our Weekly Fran Paolinelli, wrote “Half the people receiving Section 8 housing vouchers are neither elderly nor disabled, nor is there any incentive for them to get off the program, according to a report from the Los Angeles County housing authority.” Notice, how she is pointing out that section 8 is for those who would be qualified as elderly or disabled. This is identifiably propaganda because there is no rule that states that these are the only two qualifiers, this is her way of influencing the reader into believing subconsciously that is the only reason one should receive this housing benefit.
After you believe that all those other people are on it un-neccessarily, she give you the information to really make you upset, not only should normal people not be able to benefit from Section 8 but there is no incentive for them to get off! So now you have all these well equipped people sitting there receiving discounted housing assistance and they never have to try to get off. There are some that have been accepting this assistance for 16 years
When asked in another article, Maria Badrakhan, acting assistant executive director for the Housing Authority, stated that “Lancaster is an attractive location because of "the affordability, the quality of housing and the willingness of landlords to participate in the [Section 8] program," she said. In his essay, Doubts about Doublespeak William Lutz coined this type of political wordplay as a euphemism, a word or phrase designed to avoid a harsh or distasteful reality. The reality here is that investors ( willingness of Landlords) bought these new, large homes (quality of housing) with the intent that they are guaranteed a paycheck from the state while only a small portion actually comes from the tenant(affordability). ! Lets’ put the icing on the cake, in the article is a picture of a beautiful, two-story house, built in 2006, 6 bedroom, 3 full bathrooms, and normal lease for this house would be $1995.00 a month but it is Section 8.
When you take a look at the way the two sides approached the situation the manipulation on both sides is apparent. I cannot help but wonder why they did not just simply state their case.
Side 1: Look, it’s not fair for able bodied people to receive this much help for this long. I am all for helping out but these people are living with this assistance for 16 years?!
Side 2: Yes, but it is only fair to give under privileged families an equal opportunity to live in a decent home while getting on their feet.
Compromise: You can only be on Section 8 for X years, (plenty of time to get a degree and a job) and then you pay in full your own rent. If you are cited for inappropriate conduct or receive complaints totaling X amount, you forfeit any and all Section 8 privileges for the rest of your life. Why is this so hard?!