The Republican Fear Machine
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You Have Everything To Fear
President Franklin Roosevelt said that "we have nothing to fear, but fear itself." Since September 11, 2001, the Republican Party has done everything in its power to make sure that Americans have feared fear itself. Right after 911, there was much to fear. Nobody knew when and where the next attack would come. President Bush told us that we had much to fear. But the Republican Party has used the fears of Americans to put forward an agenda that has nothing do to with an actual threat, but rather to use the fear to paint a picture that suits their need. Fear of Muslim extremists were used to go to war against Iraq. Never mind the facts were not true and Iraq posed no threat to the United States, we were told it could happen and our fears allowed it. Fear was used to promote anti-American tactics such as torture and wiretapping. The politics of fear became the Republican Party's greatest political strategy.
The politics of fear were defeated in the election of President Barack Obama. They tried to paint President Obama as a Muslim, terrorist, unamerican, communist and the like. But it didn't work. But now that President Obama is President, the Republican Party has amped up its fear mongering in an attempt to gain to huge victory in the November elections. A simple look at a few issues shows that Republicans are again trying to use fear to gain political support and not to actually defend America from any actual threat.
Jon Stewart Mosqurade - Glenn Beck Clip
- http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-august-16-2010/mosque-erade
John Oliver believes that Islam, like every religion, has to be responsible for its biggest a**holes. Airdate - 08/16/2010
For Those Who Say Its Because Its Ground Zero, Explain This
The "Ground Zero" Mosque
For the past weeks, Republicans have used a local zoning issue to promote their fear mongering in attempt to play on the fears of Americans regarding Islamic extremists because they believe if people are afraid of another 911 it will help them politically. There is a Muslim Imam who wants to build a Islamic Community Center near ground zero. Republicans such as Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin have been on Fox News nonstop declaring that a Mosque at Ground Zero is horrible and some have even stated that this will become the next "Hamburg Cell" and a terrorist command and control center.
Some actual facts reveal the truth about the Republican Party's disingenuous attempt to help themselves politically. Gingrich has consistently claimed that the Imam in question is a radical Muslim cleric with ties to terrorists. If that is true, then President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney were conspiring with terrorists and should be tried to treason. The Imam is Feisal Abdul Rauf. Rauf is the Imam of a Mosque in New York City. He came under fire in 2004 for stating that American dealings in the middle east for one of the reasons that 911 happened. Funny, Glenn Beck has ranted and raved for these comments in recent weeks even though last year Glenn Beck said the same thing.
Anyways, on to Bush and Cheney. It is no secret that Bush and Cheney have a close personal relationship with the Bin Laden family, not including Osama. Bush and Cheney have a close relationship with many Muslim leaders, including Rauf. The Bush State Department worked with Rauf to preach Muslim American cooperation and peace after 911. Rauf traveled with Cheney around the Middle East to preach tolerance. But now that an election is coming up, never mind all that, he is Muslim and therefore a terrorist and allowing him to build on ground zero is an affront to decent people. Fear him, Fear him.
Oh, wait, ITS NOT PROPOSED TO BE BUILT ON GROUND ZERO!!! The proposed Mosque, which is actually a Islamic Community Center, is not being built on ground zero but actually several blocks away in what used to be a Burlington Coat Factory. I like a good coat as much as the next guy, but I would hardly call the Burlington Coat Factor hallowed ground. Plus, there oddly isn't any objection to the Mosque closer to ground zero already, built in 1970. By the way, this episode isn't isolated to New York City or the hallowed ground of ground zero, but is being waged all across the country, including a proposed Community Center in Temucula, California.
So why the outrage now?Because it is an election year and Republicans believe to win, they need people afraid of Muslims again. So they picked this issue to bring the fear. Fear mongering at its best.
Gays, Mexicans, Obama and White Men
The Republican/Conservative Fear Mongering doesn't stop at Ground Zero or even national security. Republicans are intent in the next few months to use fear at every turn. So the issue of Gay Marriage is front of center with conservatives trying to scare homophobes that homosexuals are out to molest their children (according to televisions ad I have seen in California). Republicans are intent of making immigration a national issue and scare the country into believing that the guys standing outside Home Depot looking for a day's worth of work are going to kidnap your daughter and hold her for ransom (some of the argument in favor of the Arizona anti-Mexican law.)
And let us not forget the attacks on the President. The old ones have come back for an encore: He is not an American (as evidenced by the Republican argument that the 14th Amendment should be changed); he is a Muslim (trying to tie him to the New York community center); he is a socialist (all time favorite of conservatives.)
The point behind this campaign: to play on the fears of white males, also known as undecideds. Fear gays, Mexicans, Muslims, and the Not born American Muslim President. Remember when Republicans tried to portray themselves as the party of inclusion. It was a lie, but at least they tried. Now they only promote fear. The really sad thing: it will probably work.
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CommentsLoading...
William,
Honored that you took the time to take a gander. I don't think it is gulliability. I think to some extent it is racial and an out to say you hate something without saying its because of skin color. I think to some extent is the family values crown being played to. I think it works because it gives these groups a chance to say its anything other than what it is.
Thanks for reading.
I could not have said it better Bgpappa. The Republicans have obstructed everything the Obama Administration has tried to put forward from the beginning. They feel this is the way they will regain power. The bulk of the fear machine was started during the town halls in the middle of the healthcare debate. They have preyed on Americans most base fears which are exaggerated due to the economic downturn. It is despicable and will work in 2010 but backfire big time in 2012. Great Hub.
Thanks HScneider,
I agree, the fear machine was in full force during the Healthcare debate, and it worked. Got a muddled down plan that doesn't help for a very long time. My rant against the republican tactics is just as long as my rant against Democrats for not fighting back. Truman didn't put up with this stuff, he called them out. And won.
Thanks for reading.
Bigpapa, it won't work with me, and finally someone is telling it like it is. The only thing that sells better than sex is fear for the republican party. Our country supports freedom of religion, that means all religions including Islam. Our country has long been the dream of many Internationals who flock here because it is free. Do we really want to change that with the Arizona deal that supports harrassing people on the streets much as the communist police once did, based only on the color of their skin. Do we want to stop having freedom of religion if you happen to be Moslem, and do we want to use fear tactics to control the masses? Eo we want sex police breaking in our homes making sure we aren't gay or doing anything of which the government disaproves? I for one do not want any of these. Thanks for supporting what is right, and what is American. (:v
And how is all the democrat/liberal policies working out for you guys? There is no need to fear high un-employment, large debt. No need at all, this is all republican hoop-laa garbage. Obama will take care of us all, like he has the last two year. No threat of a double dip economic down turn.
Boy that Kool-aid is great stuff.
Keep on hubbing!
Valerie, Thanks for the comment.
I agree, some of things Conservatives are fighting for right now are un-american - anti religios freedom - anti-14th amendment - anti-tolerance. ANd they do it with fear.
Thanks for reading.
Eovery, the economic recovery is treating me just fine. Of course, I don't agree with everything Obama is doing. I don't just think what political parties tell me to think (and neither do you, I know that) but right now many people are. Liberal or Conservative people should think for themselves.
But Republicans have taken it to a new level. Fear is persuasion to them. Never mind facts, history, right and wrong, just scare them to the polls. It sickens me the lenghts they have gone lately with the Immigration pocicy, Prop 8 and this Muslim "Mosque" thing and felt inclined to write about it.
Eovery, you are always welcomed here because at least you bring something to the table. we don't agree on much, but I always enjoy your posts. Thanks for reading.
Very well said. You have to remember, the reason that they use fear so much is that it has historically worked for them. Look at the amount of lies and mis-information spread by republicans and look how many people believe it. How many people think Obama is a muslim? How many believe he was not born in the US (Hawaii)?
How many people think Obama created the financial bailout? Answer: 43%
Why does this happen? Republican lawmakers spread these lies and then right wing "news" sources confirm and strenghen these narratives. Rush, Glenn, Faux News, etc all work to endorse these false messages.
How many times have we heard Michelle Bachman say "Obama is taking over wall street and buying banks" when it was the Bush administration that wrote the bailout bill and it was passed with strong Republican support in both the House and Senate. However, we see many republican leaders creating the scare "Obama is taking over the private sector" which is extremely misleading.
But again, a lot of people will believe it so they will keep on selling it
Hello BG, thank you for this articulate and factual social commentary. Some people are so easy led down the primrose path because independent personal thoughts and insights have not been encouraged or embraced by these devout sheep. They are more inclined to embrace external ideologies rather than think through the maze of lies and half-truths for themselves.
Why is it so easy for some to believe that a single man is responsible for all the ills of America and then defame his heartfelt intentions and commitment, his strong and bold actions to solve previous blunders and selfish intentions?
He is not a man who should be feared, but those who create this fear have an agenda that is too complex for most to comprehend and so they are easily drawn into the lies and condemnation of a very good and honorable man.
Many people feared Jesus because he was such a good man, for some it easier to believe in and follow the devil.
LRC,
well said. The scary part is that it works, and works well. It turned George Bush into a war hero, and Max Cleland, a bonafide hero, into a coward. Fear led to the Patriot Act, Iraq and eventually the collapse of the economy because if he opposed George Bush, you were weak on terror.
KKalmes,
I agree. The reason it works in my opinion isn't because of a sheep syndrome, although that is some of it, but because it plays on prejudice, bias and insecurity that already exists. Take a bunch of out of work 40 year olds and tell them the Anti-American Muslim President is too blame, they forget that they lost everything under the guy who shares their religion, skin color or political party. You are right, easier to blame outside than in.
Thanks for the comment.
What a good hub. I cannot believe that people I always thought were highly intelligent are buying into this ridiculous nonsens about Obama being a muslim, not born in the us. They absolutely believe this republican propaganda. At least dems fight fair, now with fear.
Agreed Tankadin,
But Dems need to fight. Right now they are cowing a bit. A little fight about the issues would not be fair for Republicans as they have no solutions.
Thanks for reading.
Your accusation that people are easily manipulated into fear, and that the purpose of disagreement with Democrats is purely to create fear is both unfounded and intellectually dishonest. Any parent with more than one child will recognize the "(insert siblings name here) thinks I'm a (insert bad thoughts here) complaint from their child. Since you can't quote any "plays to fear" that stand up to scrutiny, your comments are carefully scripted to invoke personal prejudice in your audience against a whole group of people. You know, like the KKK did against black people. Whatever the GOP's sins, or the DNC's sins in regards to attempts to manipulate people, fear is sometimes legitemate - like fear of a wildfire driving people to evacuate - but prejudice against others is NEVER valid, and NEVER acceptable in a civil society.
wehold,
I agree that prejudice is never acceptable but to deny that Republicans use fear for political gain is "intellectually dishonest." And, I am pretty sure I gave examples.
No, you did not give examples. I found nothing in your post which could be factually substantiated. It's innuendo, imaginative wanderings, false logic, etc. Your argument is really based on the notion that everything the GOP says is factually wrong. Or that everyone who argues against the GZM (What Rauf called it, don't blame the GOP) is wrong, lying, and dishonest. That presumes there is no possibility of honest disagreement, since the Democrats are perfect. We know that isn't true.
I agree, democrats are not perfect. Specifically, I would like to see Nancy and Harry go away never to come back. They are bad for the party and the country. But, the mosque spin on Fox right now is my example. The Mexican hatred building is my example. You just don't like the conclusion I made. That is fine, honest disagreement is good. But you don't actually cite any facts to support you argument. You just say mine is wrong because you say so. Is it that you can't defend it, that would be ok. I can't defend the corporate bailoiuts, so I don't, I rant against them. But you offer nothing. Just your own self serving conclusions.
bgpappa - I agree with your accessment of George W. Bush ,Dick Cheney and their operatives using fear to con the people into letting them go to war yet again into Iraq by blaming a whole country for the actions of a minority.Then former president Clinton and his administration was not without their faults.The Waco texas incident was ment to make the people fearful as well.Some of our most draconian federal laws came about during the clinton administration along with the unecessary wholesale killing of people.I think they were afraid of what any survivors would have said.
If,we are honest with ourselves we simply went along with this because we trusted them.We should hold those we trust to a very high standard of proof than just their word.This reminds me of Writer author - "Jordan Maxwell's statements concerning American German's who immigrated to America from Germany after World war two.He was a young boy at the time.He asked them why they let Hitler kill the Jews.Their answer was - well he was the the head of the government and we have to do what the government tells us to do! Beware of anyone who thinks like this! Republican or democrat makes no difference.If,there are any ligitimate questions to be answered ,don't let your political affiliation sway you as to any liability.
someone,
I agree with you whole heartedly. Lived next door to a WWII veteran (German) He said a similiar thing. Hitler himself said the bigger the lie, the more people that will believe it ( or some variation). History shows this over and over again.
Thanks for the comment.
An article like this is sure to stir up the republicans they are quick to blame Obama for the crisis of unemployment and homeless. But ppl seem to forget Obama walked into this mess and I can't think of 1 politican out there who could or would do a better job. I don't agree with everything he has done. And if it was a republican I probably wouldn't agree with things they would have done either. I'm just holding on to hope.
Me to Jeri,
And I don't agree with everything Obama has done either. But the hypocracy of the right has gone too far.
Thanks for reading.
Oops my mistake I wandered into the left zone.
It looks just like it did the last time I was here.
Bottom line, the country sucks and it doesn't matter which party is in control. It didn't get here over night and it didn't get here based on one party, but both parties not carrying the ball across the goaline for a touchdown.
It is the left that is totally in control now and when the right was in control the left did the same thing you are blaming the right for doing now.
carryon
Opinion.
We agree on one thing, both parties are too blame. But the left did not do what the Republicans are dong now. The left raised issues, ideas and even got a few victories with Bush in office. The left also supported President Bush after 911, in Afghanistan and even in Iraq (much to my dismay). The right have agreed to nothing, not because they have some principled argument against it, but solely for politics. They are even denoucing things they have introduced in the past (see bailouts, cap & trade.)
But again, we do agree on something, both parties need to be overhauled. New blood, new leadership. I am perfectly willing to sacrafice Reid and Pelosi, both are useless if you ask me.
Bg - the funny thing is that one of the biggest investors in the Muslim Community Center is a part owner of FOX news. Some people speak out of both sides of their mouths.
DM,
I didn't even know that, amazing.
Thanks for the comment.
Oh. MyGod. Normally, my inclination is to peruse a liberal hub, get a chuckle from the ineptitude, scratch my head from the use of non-facts, and pad quietly away. It's rare that I'll scroll all the way down to leave a comment, because the comment sections all have the same five or so guys telling themselves how brilliant they are. Ralph, LRC, Pappa, Schneider, Stevie, Crasher, and a smattering of the easily lead, all lock-step in their agreement that the institutions and concepts that made America great, just suddenly suck.
Lets talk about Fear, shall we?
We'll start with the liberal vote-buying scheme called "welfare." What started out as a well intentioned aide-to-the-poor, has devolved into a bloated, graft-fraud-waste & political-kickback filled, soft-slavery-of-Dependence, cluster of entitlements programs. The current liberal fear-inducing narrative reads something like this:
"I, the Democrat, wrest from the evil rich what crumbs they will give me, and give you just enough to barely survive, knowing that WITHOUT MY HELP, you would die of starvation and lack of shelter. If that Evil Extremist Republican should gain my office, she will take from you what little I have been able to glean for your very survival!" Now THAT, my friends, is FEAR Mongering: Vote for me or starve.
Next on the list we find Global Warming (or if you prefer, general Environmentalist Whackjob-ism), which reads thus:
"The Sky is Falling! Oceans will Rise and Destroy the Earth! You must knuckle under to our every demand, surrender your prosperity, give up your standard of living, curtail your use of the cleanest most abundant energy source on Earth (which the stopping of will starve and kill millions Globally), return to the Dark Ages habit of using arable land for Fuel instead of Food, and plunge the greatest economy the world has ever known into abject poverty, or in 50 to 100 years... It might get Warm!" Fear Mongering on a Global Scale, baby! None of this namby-pamby "just in America" crap for THAT bit of drivel.
Shall we talk Gun Laws?
"Guns are bad, M'Kay? They like, kill people and stuff. America has more guns, and America has more gun deaths, mostly of children under the age of 26. Only people with Guns will commit crimes or do bad things. I've seen it in the movies. So we need to take everyone's guns away because guns are bad and children all use them to commit suicide and if there were no guns no child would ever die and everyone knows that only moron red-neck racist goobers will bitterly cling to their guns and their Bibles out of fear which you should have of them for wanting to have guns..." Fear is all you have to sell, on the Gun note.
Would now be a bad time to point out that it is the COWARDLY who traditionally refuse to defend themselves from Genuine Physical Assault? They tend to be too paralyzed by, well... Fear.
I could go on like this for hours, kids. The list of Democrat/Liberal FEAR points is long and disingenuous. Er... Distinguished.
The ONLY thing you lock-step liberals have to sell to the public is Fear. This entire Hub was just one long rant about Fearing Republicans.
Answer me this, Oh Wizards of Smart: If Liberalism was SUCH the cool-kid way to run a polity, why are ALL the majority democrat districts in utter financial ruin? Why do you find the most unemployment, crime, poverty, abortion and overall economic despair in the very same places where democrats hold sway?
Conservatives speak in terms of "The Sky is NOT falling, Be Not Afraid. The Bad Men will crushed on their own soil, Be Not Afraid. We are 40% of the population, and liberals are only 21%, Be Not Afraid.
Carter ushered in 12 years of Reagan. Obama should EASILY crush that record!
Be Not Afraid.
Wow, Tiger,
You managed to say absolutely nothing except for the same tired Republican talking points. The only difference is yours are about a decade old.
Ya, and California, New York are hurting while Alabama and Mississippi are bastions of economic properity.
But thanks for the comment.
Prosperity, ya mean?
And it's great that you've found two traditionally poor states that are both Red, and suffering from the Obama presidency. However, their chances of digging out are SO much better than any Blue state can possibly hope for.
Would NOW be a good time to remind everyone that Democrats held the Majorities in both the House and Senate since 2006? The committee chairs have all been Democrat, the people who wrote the budgets which Obama "inherited" were all Democrats, the men who were at the helm when Fanny and Freddy took the US economy down, were both on the Obama election committee as financial advisers...
How can Cali or NY, two EXCEEDINGLY wealthy states, be in such horrible financial shape? If not for the ineptitude of the liberals at the helms (legislatures write laws, Governors just sign, or don't sign them) of two of the largest economies in the whole world? They would be just fine, even today, had they not been saddled with liberal gross negligence.
Here is the Conservative take:
http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/obamas_quie
And the Liberal take, which says essentially the same thing:
http://blogs.alternet.org/speakeasy/2010/03/01/blu
Face it, guys. Your side has no clue how to create wealth or run a country. If it did, all the Blue states would be swimming in gravy, or at least not quite so hell-bent for suicide.
I'm not trying to fight any of you personally. You're my countrymen, and you're in a cart headed for a cliff. The men with their hands on the wheel are the ones I mean to fight. They sold you some cool blinders, told you they were for the "little guy", and bent you over like drunk prom dates. The proof is in the pudding, only good trees bare good fruit, actions speak louder than words... use whatever analogy fits you best, but look at the facts:
Liberalism ruins economies, fear of Republicans is all they sell, socialism is a soft form of slavery, and large corporations are why we can even have this conversation on an Internet.
And the World, for all the Dire Prognostications that have been foretold over the past 50 years, is Just Fine. Y2K didn't drop airplanes out of the sky, no lack of Ozone, no sand dunes cover Southern California, drinkable water and clear blue skies abound...
Honestly. Everything is alright. Neither Doom nor Gloom are in our planetary future. Free Market Capitalism will allow men to keep what they produce, and creativity will bring about all of those cool technological advancements that we keep expecting.
Or, we can do like the Liberals want:
http://www.binscorner.com/pages/d/death-threats-ag
You're not bad guys, you're just plugging for the side that wants you poor, dependent, and lethargic.
Not attacking you personally either, but we can't go back to trickle down. Eight years of Bush showed us how well that works. We can't go back to Cowboy diplomacy. We can't go back to torture and neglect of wars. You are right, there isn't much to fear. The economy is improving, even in Alabama. The wars are being managed correctly. Respect in the world is back. Panic is gone. But the Republicans can't win in November unless America loses. They they are using the politics of fear. Fear Muslims, Mexicans, Homosexuals they say. They are the reason why America is hurting. Forget about how we left the Country in 2006 and 2008. Its all that gay married couple's fault they say.
You misunderstand a desire to stem an encroachment as an abject fear.
I worked as a bodyguard for several years, during which time I taught Rape Proofing as an adjunct to my profession. My niche was was abused women, and very often their sisters, mothers and best girl friends. Nothing makes a woman want to learn to defend herself like enduring abuse.
Guys who beat their wives don't smack them around by way of asking for a first date. They start slow, with words and isolation. Then they progress to general manhandling, followed by a shove or a slap, until you've got got a wife with broken ribs, coughing up blood in an emergency room.
Muslims riot, kill and behave badly. Not our fault. Illegal aliens up from Mexico import more slavery, drugs, death and crime than they import honest labor. By a wide margin. Google the Los Angeles County Penal System racial statistics if you feel all Mexicans are just nice folk looking for a job. And we honestly don't have that big a problem with the gay community, outside of a few religious, single issue zealots (see how far Gay gets you in an Islamic community, if you want to see intolerance). We're genuinely worried about watering down the basic union that is the cornerstone of our society.
But it never starts as a full fledged assault on values. It's always a soft encroachment, like a wife beater. One little step at a time. We only seek to stop crap before it get all too out of hand. Rather like the Re-Hire of the Good and Effective General Patraeus, so we can actually WIN.
The main steam media (please look up the JournOlist) HATED G-Dubya, and painted him as stupid and inept at every opportunity. Just like you do. Are you aware that he maintained less than 5% unemployment throughout his presidency? 6% unemployment is 100% employment in a county like America.
He bent over backwards to appease democrats: Teddy Kennedy WROTE the "No Child Left Behind" bill. Ted Kennedy! And yet, because it was a Bush Agenda bill, liberals got to make fun of it.
Pappa, if I only got to learn about you from people who absolutely hated you, for whatever reason, is it likely I'd get the genuine truth about you, or what you did? Trickle Down was a STUPID name for an economic policy, but the fact remains that RICH people hire us, buy our products, and pay all of our income taxes. The bottom 50% income earners pay 3% of federal income taxes. AND they get refunds! ZERO taxes for the bottom half income earners, and you want the rich to pay "their fair share?" How much more fair does it need to be?
Ask Qaddafi if Cowboy Diplomacy works. Speaking strictly as a former bodyguard, I can assure you that people who say violence doesn't solve problems, have obviously NEVER had the living crap kicked out of them.
It was our Democrat Senate Majority Leader, my very own Harry Reid, who told General Patraeus (whom you all hated and called "Betray us" not 3 years ago) "This War is LOST!" Democrats needed a loss far more than Republicans. And I promise: ANY Republican who says he wants America to loose in Afghanistan or elsewhere will get cut out of a job, come November.
Well, I admire your profession adn what you do for a living, seriously. But for some reason I think you likened gay marriage to wife beating, odd. And I never said the rich should pay the "fair share." Not all Liberals think alike.
But even the democrats under George Bush didn't openly cheer when soldiers died. Are you familiar with the God Hates America movement? And yes, there is a huge movement against homosexuals in this country. As for Mexicans, please look at the reasons they are in jail. Drug crimes. As for illegals bringing in prostitution and the like, the Asian and Russian illegal immigration problem is much bigger in that arena, especially in California, and nothing is being done about that. They aren't brown, so nobody cares.
Thanks for the comment.
Great hub; I'm going to link to it from one of mine about the "Ground Zero" panic.
Thanks Sage.
The real flaw in your argument is that you imply traditionalists are on the offensive. This is a neat trick, and very common these days. As you and your ilk full well know, it is progressives who are on a relentless offensive, tearing at the very fabric of the idea that is America. Traditionalists are only playing defense.
How exactly are progressives tearing at the very fabric? Bob Dole's healthcare package? George Bush 1's Cap & Trade environmental package? Don't really understand all the talk of socialism against Obama. 10 years ago, he would be a run of the mill moderate.
But I will agree with this, "traditionalists" as you call them are defensive, and lashing. The best defense is offense is the strategy. But I wonder what it is really they are fighting against?
I disagree that Obama would have been considered a "run of the mill moderate" ten years ago or any distance of time ago. There has never been an American president more radically to the left than Obama.
James, Facts please? The healthcare plan was Bob Dole's plan from the nineties. Cap & Trade, Bush I environmental plan from 1990? What makes him so "radically" to the left? I think its to conservatives that have moved "radically" to the right and so their view of a moderate has changed. Dole and Bush I wouldn't be welcomed in the Republican Party of today.
Great Hub. Read many of the comments too. Everyone needs to stop saying how fear-mongering is working. We do live in the age of information and when all is said and done, the light (the truth) never loses. I've always liked the following story of the two wolves and it seems to apply more now than ever before.. Lesson is......it's the one you feed.
A Cherokee Legend
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
(The 'evil' wolf seems to be the tea party and the right-wing republicans. 'Evil' brings with it an insanity and one can only observe that these people are way off their rockers. I sometimes laugh out loud when I hear how crazy their statements are.) laugh more and get plugged into their nuttiness less everyone. Laughter is a darned good diffuser.
Majah,
the problem is the crazy things they say are portrayed and taken as truth. Most don't have the time or desire to learn all or some of the facts.
But the story you told is a very good morale. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks bgpoppa for responding. I really enjoy reading your handle on things and will continue to visit your Hubs.
Guess we'll see how those stuck in fear and who grab at others to believe in their craziness will continue to unfold. Those 'Left Behind' books were written just for all those types. If they don't snap out of it and do and think what's right they will certainly be 'left behind'. God doesn't pick up the trash. LOL
Majah, I try to respond to everyone. I like a good debate whether the person agrees with me or not. My only rule is that one must bring something to the table other than Fox News or MSNBC talking points. Real respectful debate is what we are all about.
The next few months will be interesting. With Republicans having a piece of the pie, it will be interesting to see how the blame game will work. Hopefully blame will end and work will begin.
Thanks for stopping by
Living on fear.... Let's see. The world will be destroyed by global warming if we dont let govt intervene, Seniors will starve and minorities will suffer if republicans get control and cut taxes, republicans will cut funding for aids, ...the list goes on and on. Dems are the worst at playing on fears and it explains how they get the vote from the most vulnerable and gullible among us.
I agree with you on one thing Braud,
Dems are much worse playing the fear card, they just aren't nearly as willing to say anything like Republicans. Global Warming is real and the market will nothing about it. Its funny, you can't name any real specifics.
Thanks for reading.
Man-made Global warming is the biggest hoax ever tried and, of course, it is the democrats who attempted it. What specifics do you want????
You stated that Dems are using fear by stating "Seniors will starve and minorities will suffer if republicans get control and cut taxes, republicans will cut funding for aids." Well first, the Aids thing is true, Republicans want to cut money for Aids research, have since before they acknowledged it existed. Second, who said the thing about elders.
If you believe in Science, global warming is real. What scientists said twenty years ago about global warming is actually happening today, or do you think the extreme weather around the world is just not really happening. Hurricans, not in hurrican season. Tornadoes where they never happened before. Extremely cold where it is usually warm, warm where it is usually cold. This is what we were told what would happen.
But even if you don't believe in Global Warming, what is your objection to evironmental protection. I am not a liberal who believes we need to save the planet. The planet will be fine no matter what we do. It is the people who are screwed unless we reduce smog, clean water, clean water tables, etc, etc. And there is money for businesses in all this. There is jobs in this. THere is a reduction on our dependenced on foreign oil in this. Oil companies could still be leaders in energy, just different energy, or many different types of energy. What is the objeciton. Better environment, better health, more money and jobs. Think the right hasn't thought this through yet.
You have been deceived. The biggest contribution to Aids research and funding was done under president Bush. You have been lied to by leftist news, my friend. Man-made global warming is ridiculous. It is not worthy of intelligent discussion. They have changed their story so many times they have lost all credibililty. At first, it was global warming. Then, when warming became cooling, they changed to "climate change". Whatever happens, they change their story. I am not against environmental responsiblity... but that is not what this is about. How can you be so easily duped. It is about leftists in government gaining more control over our lives and our wealth. They dont want you to change the way you live, as long as they can tax your energy consumption and regulate and have power over who is profiting from energy. Different energy would be OK, if something better ever gets invented. But solar panels, and wind turbines, and ethanol are a joke and are only a part of the equation because they are being forced on the market thru govt internvention. On their own, they fail miserably. Markets should determine winners and losers,....not govt.
Climate change was a politically correct name to give global warming that was actually coined by a Republican. Look it up. And I am not talking about global warming, per se, just envinonmental protection and responsibility. Not because of some abstract save the planet or save the trees crusade, nope, I want to save my children and their children. I want them to be able to go outside on a hot day. I want them to be able to swim in lakes and the ocean. The politics on global warming is hurting even the smallest effort to protect our environment, but lies the Republicans tell are just as bad. Rush says, oil is natural so therefore let it spill in the Gulf. Horrible lie.
The market doesn't fix everything. But I will concede this, we need better government, not bigger. But the government grew under Bush more than it ever has before. How come Republicans like you defend him so much when he did everything against what you believe? I just don't get it.
If you want to teach your children about being responsible toward the environment, that is a great idea. If you think that is the motivation behind the "global warming" political movement, then you are not as bright as I thought you were. ...and again, I dont defend Bush as much as I realize the HUGE difference between a republican and a democrat. It is our only 2 choices in reality. Oil is not some evil thing. It is actually one of our finest natural resources and has drastically transformed our world economy for the better. Nothing comes close to comparing to it as a fuel source.
You missed my point, my point of about the environment is much different than the current crop of liberals. Its not abstract, but in human terms. The planet is fine, the people are screwed.
Oil is not evil, just past its time. Its time to move on. Nothing compares because nobody has the will to fight for it, except for me perhaps and I am clearly not enough. But I think we as Americans can do better, demand better, create better. We just need the will, which isn't there right now. But I will still say it, over and over and over again.
Oil is past its time...How so? It is the most productive and efficient fuel source known to man. There is much effort to replace oil. IT HASNT BEEN FOUND! So, my friend, until that day comes, Oil is still king! It is not about having the will to do it, there is nothing out there that is comparable. You want to change from oil because of some "feel good" intentions and not from a "good sense" prospective. It is not how we should operate and make decisions.
I want to make changing away from oil the good sense. That is the point.
I know you want the changing away from oil to be the "good sense option". ....but that does not make it so. Unfortunately for you and those who think like you, oil is, by far, the most common sense solution for our energy needs and needs to be embraced and sought out, and searched for, and promoted, etc,etc. We need to be encouraging oil exploration, building new refineries, dumping ethanol subsidies, scrapping subsidies for electric cars and other non-sense. If ideas cant make it in the markeplace on their own, then we dont need them.
But when the marketplace is dominated by a sole entity, isn't that a problem? And by the way, there is only so much oil. What is your plan when it runs dry or becomes so scarce that it no longer makes financial sense? It won't last forever, or according to some experts (granted, not many) won't even last the fifty years you say it will take to come up with a viable alternative. By the way, Hybrids and Electric Cars are becoming more and more popular and more mainstream. Why do you think oil companies are spending so much on PR to downplay that.
If something dominates the market place, it is because it is the best. How is that a problem??? You certainly dont force consumers to buy something else when they want the best product...do you? ...and how do you know there is only so much oil. We do know there is alot of oil that we havent gone after, yet. Again, it is good to look for better energy sources, as long as we have the common sense and honesty to reject the inferior alternatives. we shouldnt get snookered by those with alterior motives into believing that oil is evil. we shouldnt get suckered by their lies and fear-mongering so they can sell us their inferior ideas and take away our freedoms, and tax and regulate our behaviors. The bottom line is that oil is the most productive, affordable, and efficient energy source on this planet, bar none. That bothers the environmentalist movement, and the liberal political machine who have resorted to deceit, fear, and other raunchy tactics to tilt the opinion back to their favor. I am in the auto industry, and hybrids and electric cars are inferior products to the gasoline engine.....period! Oh, and the great ethanol project that was forced on us by Al Gore and company, in the name of saving the planet, is ruining our engines and making our vehicles less efficient. What a joke! It is what happens when you let the left solve our problems.
Wow, in you calculations do you include oil spills, refinery fires, environmental damage, etc, ect. And by the way, oil is not the most efficient, wind and solar are more efficient, just not used in great numbers. But, I want to invent something new, thinking something along the lines of methane or something. Don't know, not a scientist, just a business owner. But something recycleable. Would be great to use garbage or something like in Back in the Future. I want an answer that is outside the box, not just accept that what we have is all we got. We can do better.
bgpappa- You are deranged if you believe that solar and wind are more efficient than oil as a fuel source. Wind and solar are very dependent on weather conditions. There is no invention out there, relying on wind or solar power that can compete with the internal combustion engine that is powered by oil. You keep reeling off absurd comments that we are supposed to swallow. Wind and sun power were great in the days before the industrial revolution. They have been left behind until reignited by an environmentalist movement that only gains traction by demonizing oil....not by offering better solutions. Our capitalist system will probably invent a better idea one day, but until that day, we dont need to go backward or get suckered into government takeovers of our energy freedoms.
Better to live under an oil cartel, got it.
No.....better for America to aggressively explore for our own oil resources which are out there if we are allowed to go get it.
Well I respect your point of view Braud, at least you bring something to the table and are willing to debate it. Just don't agree which is ok. What America is all about.
William F. Torpey Level 2 Commenter 21 months ago
You've hit the nail on the head, bgpappa. The right wing strategy of fear is so obvious I don't know how it can possibly work. Can Americans be that gullible? The truth is that this whole strategy is very sad. I have friends who buy this nonsense hook, line and sinker. I thought America was bigger than that. Let's hope America wakes up before it's too late!