Service of Fear II
November 5th, 2020
Categories: Fear, Pandemic, Politicians, Politics, Vote
This morning an NPR listener characterized the choices of the 2020 electorate as driven by fear. I agree.
Many voters were terrified by the shoot-from-the-hip performance of the incumbent. What would be done to control the deadly Covid-19 if Dr. Fauci was fired, another symbol of disrespect for medical science as bad as the relaxed mask and social distancing stances? How much more damage could one person cause to the environment and our standing in the world? Would this person be concerned about the welfare of all citizens or only his devotees?
The blueprint for the next four years was drawn by the last four.
On the other hand people voted for the incumbent for fear that they would be crushed by taxes; police would abandon them for lack of funds and their homes and family would be in danger; the country would limp from foreign invaders –some claimed they were communists–breaking down our borders, stealing our jobs and socialism would smother capitalism.
In fact only those making $400,000+ would be impacted by Joe Biden’s proposed tax increase; nobody wants to live in a place without a trained, well-funded police force; many of the jobs taken by immigrants are rejected by American citizens and millions of Americans benefit from government-run programs like unemployment and social security, the latter an example of an 85 year old socialist program. According to cbpp.org, “Over 64 million people, or more than 1 in every 6 U.S. residents, collected Social Security benefits in June 2020. While older Americans make up about 4 in 5 beneficiaries, another one-fifth of beneficiaries received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or were young survivors of deceased workers.” [In fact, the incumbent has spoken of cancelling the payroll tax which funds social security, therefore strangling it.]
Talk is cheap and politicians say what their constituents want to hear. I nevertheless appreciate one that recognizes the chasm between us and wants to cool the rhetoric and lower the emotional temperature. I fear the one who enjoys the heat of conflict and creates more.
Did fear impact your vote?
Tags: Social Security
No fear had nothing to do with my vote but it certainly did with my husbands vote. We own property that our girls will inherit and he’s terrified they’ll end up with nothing. He’s also ranting about Socialized medicine. I just want a president who is honest and looking out for our well being.
Helen,
Good for you! I don’t think your husband has to worry. Real estate prices are cyclical and real estate is always worth something.
I admit to feeling fear about another four years of irrational behavior.
Children thru college are being brain washed with socialism. There may be some balance of power with more republicans in the senate. My fear is Socialism /Communism for my grands and yet to be born great grands.
BC,
Not sure you have much to worry about. If the children go to college they are hopefully taught to think for themselves and come to their own conclusions and they and their generation will vote accordingly and what they hope is best for their country–which we all do. Words like “socialism” when spoken in the public square are meant to strike fear but they don’t frighten me because I benefit and am grateful for the social security check I receive thanks to all the money I paid into the fund all those years.
Writer Rabinowitz has it right. Her property is most likely to vanish should the present administration win the election. The Communist boogeyman doesn’t exist since what goes for Communist countries are dictatorships. It might pay to look at the Socialist countries, i.e. Denmark, Netherlands, Norway & Sweden. They are among the happiest and most prosperous societies on the planet.
BC need not worry about the brainwashing of children, unless he sees them as witless amoeba like creatures. Children, by nature, rebel, so given his scenario, they’ll all be thinking like him. May he live long enough to see the result. It’s highly possible he’ll wish he voted for Biden!
Lucrezia,
Good point re. Denmark, Norway, Sweden. People are often anxious about things they know little about. Remember the very old commercial, “Try it, you’ll like it.” I’ve always wanted to visit those countries. I wonder if when the pandemic calms down and if the current administration is in for another four years how many Americans will try to move to these countries!