A triump for bipartisanship reform

I don't know how many words the average English-speaking adult utters in a single day, but I have decided to try to limit mine.

Not the volume, just the ones I select.

Scheduled for the dust bin, because politicians and others have stripped them of all meaning:

-- Reform. It's anything a politician favors, from welfare reform to civil-service reform to ethics reform Even if its effect is the opposite.

-- Win-win. Sports fans know it's an impossibility, but it's a great phrase to try to hide some deal behind.

-- Transparent. If a politician said something is, it probably isn't.

-- My good friend. In a political context, it's someone you're about to knife in the back.

-- Bipartisanship. The partisan shiv is about to enter between the ribs.

This is just meant to be a sampler. But next time you're listening to a political speech, think how much time language reform would save you - a win-win for both parties, and a triumph of bipartisanship and transparency where everyone realizes what good friends they are.

Please help me add to the list.