Politics and the Economy: Politicians Play Off Our Fears
68FDR Said It Well
In his Inaugural Address, FDR said:
"So, first of all, let me assert my belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself —nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days."
How amazing is it that these words could be said (and welcomed) just as easily almost ninety years later? How sad is it that our leaders aren't saying anything close to words like these? No one is inspiring us, instead they use us in a tug of war of power and control. Politicians focus on creating fear to get our attention and get us on their "side". Who's on our side?
Our Fast Pace Enables Fear
Between the early posturing for the 2012 Presidential Election and the budget battles at the federal and state levels, I find it is important to pay attention beyond the headlines. Not just the headlines on the news, but the first item you see when you land on a website or the subject line of an email. In our fast-paced world, it would be easy to skim the news and the emails we receive containing news, jokes and such. But if we do, we face the possibility of only hearing half of the story and that, I believe, is what some folks are counting on.
It's no secret that every political candidate and elected official employs a full staff who are focused on creating the message and getting it out to the voters. That is the way it works. It's also no secret that the media has to craft stories that grab our attention, gain market share and, thus, secure sponsors. However, this all leads to headlines and subject lines that can convey a message that is completely different than the one in the story. Worse, it can be a message meant to scare us. Lastly, the attention devoted to the story is determined by networks and other world events. Just look back at the 2000 Election news coverage to see how one story can dominate for weeks.
An Example from OFA
Recently I received an email from Organizing for America with the subject line "56,000 Jobs Lost Across Texas." I read the entire email and other than instructions to "set aside party politics or lose 56,000" jobs, I could not find anther reference to these 56,000 jobs. Instead, there was a discussion of the current budget predicament and the choices that had to be made. The email could have easily been titled "Our Budget Crisis", instead the authors hoped to play on my fear.
Use Your Political Power and Change the Rhetoric
We, as citizens of the United States of America, have the right and the obligation to hold these elected officials to more than soundbites and headlines. We need to look beyond the 30-second clip, do some research and find out as much as we can about the issues facing our country. We also need to demand that our elected officials stop telling us what the other party is going to do that hurts us and instead tell us what they are going to do for us - specifically. Recent budgetary issues have highlighted this more than ever before, as both sides tell us what we are going to lose. Depending on whose spin we hear, we are either on the verge of losing our jobs, health-care and education OR we are about to lose the country itself. The truth, as they say, is always somewhere in the middle. We must write to our elected officials and request more information. Ask the hard questions and, if you are not getting the answers you want, ask again!
From The American President
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Thank you for your comment. I have promised myself to be more informed during this next election than I every have been before.
MY, I doubt this situation will improve anytime soon. Those doing the voting now have managed to make it this far without the ability to think and they have no interest in learning how to do so now. The intentional dumbing down of this country is starting to pay off for those degrading our educational system. No child left behind turned into no child gets ahead.
The continued attacks on our school systems will only hasten the process of turning America into a Fascist country. The widespread disregard for facts and truth in America does not indicate that we have much of a chance to avoid this intentional take over of our country. Too many people need the fear and lies our politicians and so called news services provide. As long as these people have a handy target for their hatred and fear, they are happy. It matters not that everything they hear is a lie, they will march in lock step spreading the lie as gospel.
The Frog Prince Level 7 Commenter 14 months ago
Well said. We need to look well beyond the fluff and huff and puff of the people we decide to elect. This last Presidential campaign is a prime example. A mn with no executive experience, or qualifications was sent into the Oval Office to be the nation's chief executive. Insanity at its best and apathy at it worst.
Study a candidate and look at their record. They should have one other than voting "Present" over 90% of the time. That told me that the individual wanted to not be on record about most issues and legislation.
Sending you a follower notice.