Fears of a Nervous Moderate (Part 3 of 5)

Everyone has fears about the future.  If you aren’t afraid of something, you may want to see if your heart is still beating.  The question is – are those fears rational?  Are they based on objective reality – or emotions?  This five-part series is about things that I’m afraid of.  Am I being rational?  I welcome your opinions

This is post three of five:

is about divisiveness in America and the need for us to unite – or fail.

 is about the abandonment of “Fair and Reasonable Compromise” in our political process.

Fear No. 3:  The return of “Fear Mongering” and “Partisan Propaganda” for political gain

“History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme.”
Mark Twain

I can see why they do it.  It has worked before and it continues to work today.

Fear is a proven motivator.  Get someone to believe that your way of life is under attack and you have their vote – at the very least.

"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed -- and hence clamorous to be led to safety -- by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."-- H.L. Mencken

History has shown us time and time again that fear, even when it has no basis in reality, can be used to move people to do things they would otherwise not do (see Germany, 1933 to 1944).  The use of fear and propaganda for political gain here in the US also has a long history with the most famous recent episode being McCarthyism, or the “Red Scare” of the 50’s.

McCarthyism: demagogic, reckless, hysterical, deliberate, and typically unsubstantiated public accusations and/or personal attacks on the character, loyalty, patriotism, and beliefs of an individual opponent or group. Usually for political gain in the guise of patriotism and/or “national security.” Normally based on widespread racial, political, religious, ethnic, and/or sexual prejudices. Can often lead to persecution, disenfranchisement, mass hysteria, and violent mob behavior. Particularly common during periods of conflict, political unrest, migration, and economic uncertainty

Here’s a few “McCarthy-Like” claims that you may have heard or read recently:

• The President of the United States is not an American
• Health care reform = “Death Panels for Granny”?
• Health care reform = “Socialism” (or Communism, pick one)
• 80 Democrats are members of the Communist Party
• The President of the United States is a secret Communist and that his “Forward” theme is based on Marxist-Socialist ideology
• “The Republic Will Collapse” under an Obama second term
• The Muslim Brotherhood has infiltrated the highest levels of our govt
• Human caused global warming/climate change doesn’t have anything to do with the laws of physics – it’s all a plot to install at one world government

Scary stuff for sure!  I can see why people who believe this stuff are so afraid!

Here's one that recently showed up in my inbox, twice, about how the Obama's plan on turning the United States into a "Communist State":

“The truth is I do not like the Obamas, what they represent, their ideology, and I certainly do not like his policies and legislation.

 I've made no secret of my contempt for the Obamas. As I responded to the person who asked me the aforementioned question, I don't like them because they are committed to the fundamental change of my/our country into what can only be regarded as a Communist state.

 I don't hate them per definition, but I condemn them because they are the worst kind of racialists, they are elitist Leninists with contempt for traditional America. They display disrespect for the sanctity of the office he holds, and for those who are willing to admit same, Michelle Obama's raw contempt for white America is transpicuous.”

There may be valid reasons why you are not happy with the current President or the Affordable Care Act – but hopefully the claim that the Obama’s are “elitist Leninists with contempt for traditional America” are not one of those reasons. 

McCarthy-like tactics such as the above are certainly not new, and have been used by both of the major political parties, but they seem to have reached a fever pitch over the last 4 or 5 years and will likely only increase as we approach the November election.

The questions we should always ask when propanda like this shows up are:
Who? Why? What?

-Who is writing this propaganda? 

-Why are they writing it?

-What are they trying to get me to do?

My fear is that fear mongering and propaganda is being used by highly motivated special interest groups to incite well-meaning citizens towards beliefs and activities that are likely against our collective best interests.  EXAMPLES: denying access to affordable health care to our citizens and rejecting efforts to reduce the impact of human caused climate change.

We had McCarthyism once in this country, when we turned against our own friends, family, neighbors and co-workers.   Hopefully we’ll remember those horrible mistakes of the 50’s and NEVER REPEAT THEM AGAIN.

Do you agree that this is a valid fear?  If so:

1. Propaganda in your inbox?  Send it back to the sender and tell them you are not interested.

2.  THINK: Who is creating and sending this propaganda and what do they want from you?

Post No. 4 about the corruptive influence of money in our political system will be in a day or two.