"In the lexicon of the political class, the word "sacrifice" means that the citizens are supposed to mail even more of their income to Washington so that the political class will not have to sacrifice the pleasure of spending it"

This quote by George Will is a criticism of the political class and their usage of the word "sacrifice". He is implying that when political leaders use the word "sacrifice", they are really asking citizens to give up more of their earnings to the government, so that the politicians can continue to take pleasure in the satisfaction of spending it. Will is recommending that the politicians are not willing to make any real sacrifices themselves, and rather are asking the citizens to bear the problem. He is likewise suggesting that the politicians are not being truthful about their intentions, and are using the word "sacrifice" to make it sound more noble. Will's quote is a criticism of the political class and their lack of accountability when it concerns investing taxpayer money. He is recommending that the politicians need to be willing to make some real sacrifices of their own, rather of anticipating the residents to bear the problem.