AboutTed Nesbitt Expertise I will answer short, to-the-point questions on all aspects of
American politics -- legislative, executive, and judicial for
the federal government and all fifty states. I use the Lexis-Nexis
database for information concerning court cases in the state courts,
the U. S. District Courts, and the U. S. Supreme Court.
I do NOT have the time to work with lengthy problems or to read
and evaluate papers.
Experience I have been politically in a PAC since 1986 and have served state
government in an information capacity since 1980.
I have been a volunteer at the grammar and writing site at allexperts.com for more than two years.
Expert: Ted Nesbitt Date: 6/30/2004 Subject: third rail of politics
Question Social security is called the third rail of politics. What are the first two?
Answer Dear Ron:
"The third rail of politics" is a METAPHOR. There are no other "rails." In other words, there is no first rail and no second rail.
The metaphor refers to subway trains and their tracks. There ARE three rails for subway trains. The usual two are the tracks/rails on which the subway cars travel.
The "third rail" is not for the wheels of the train. Rather, it is the electrical device that provides the power to run the train. If a person touches that "electric rail," he would die, because of the high voltage.
Thus, in applying the metaphor to politics, any politician who touches Social Security -- tries to change those benefits, especially by restricting them -- is essentially doomed. He or she would be killed in an election, because of the "high voltage" nature of Social Security.
