The Age of Anxiety in the Republic of Fear

[cali]

It's hard for me to feel much beyond disgust. Disgust at the 4 billion spent. disgust at the dark money and the attack ads. disgust at the miasma of fear that is enveloping the country. disgust at the reflexive turn to the rabid nutcases that people the republican party. I know it's verboten to say this, but I think this is shaping up to be a republican wave election. I expect to be told, don't listen to the MSM, but that has nothing to do with it. We live in the age of anxiety in the republic of fear and the MSM perpetrates that. That has an effect, and republicans benefit when the electorate is consumed by fear.

Bill Clinton's mantra was the economy, but this evidently is an election where that simmers behind other things. This is an election about both specific and inchoate fears and anxiety. Fear of ebola, fears of terrorism and war and that hobgoblin ISIS. Free floating fear of... just about everything.

Republicans appeal to voters worst fears and in this marvel of a post 9/11 world, that is a potent force.

[blue neen]

1. You're doing exactly what you're complaining about.

Whipping up the fear.

You may be right, you may be wrong, but it doesn't matter. You managed to get your post in.

[cali]

4. oh poppycock. describing the atmosphere of this election and how republicans use it

is not "whipping up fear", my dear. It's analysis. Don't like it? too bad.

[blue neen]

8. Oh balderdash. Describing the MSM's atmosphere of this election and how you're using it

to make more negative posts is indeed "whipping up fear". That's my analysis, and I'm entitled to it. Don't like it? Too bad.

From the TOS:

"For non-presidential contests, election season begins on Labor Day. Everyone here on DU needs to work together to elect more Democrats and fewer Republicans to all levels of American government. If you are bashing, trashing, undermining, or depressing turnout for our candidates during election season, we'll assume you are rooting for the other side."

[cali]

11. codswallop. I'm not suggesting people shouldn't vote. To the contrary

I think a surge of democrats voting would be fantastic. I think that's not a strong likelihood, but I'd be overjoyed to see it.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. It's still about the economy

The economy is a disaster. Disaster.

Democrats thought their message of "you'll get poorer at a slower pace if we win" would be a big draw, but shockingly it wasn't, so they've moved on to pictures of Wasserman Schultz's doggies.

At least Republicans are promising better days ahead, even if they're totally lying.

[blue neen]

3. There are Democrats fighting really hard for the middle class.

Maybe you could help support this one:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10746295

[MannyGoldstein]

7. Some.

But not most.

[blue neen]

9. That's the best you can muster up?

Then that just confirms what I originally thought this OP was all about. Thank you for your time.

I'm outta here. I have to go work on GOTV for some great candidates.

[MannyGoldstein]

10. IIRC, only 3 or 4 Democratic senators voted against the rich

Wall Street banker that Obama nominated to negotiate the TPP.

'nuff said.

[TheKentuckian]

12. Raising the poverty wage is a good thing but thinking 15 or even 20k is "middle class" is delusional

What that is, is fucking poor and even at 20k they aren't "lifted out of poverty" but rather artificially pretended to be so no one has to be bothered to help them. The poverty line is bullshit, it some places it isn't enough to keep a roof over your head and in the ones that it is that roof will be in squalor or a shanty.

[cali]

5. I disagree. I think the economy factors in, but why would that drive voters away from dems?

Democrats message is not "you'll get poorer at a slower pace". Show me one thing to support that faux quote. just one. and repukes are stressing fear not better days ahead.

[MannyGoldstein]

6. Chained CPI. TPP, TTIP, and other "free" trade.

Making 82% of the Bush tax cuts permanent. Etc.

People intuitively understand that Neoliberal Democrats are further to the right than they are, even if not as far right as Republicans.

[bemildred]

13. Working three jobs makes it harder to vote. nt

[J_J_]

14. Republicans are not appealing to anyone

The media is telling us the millennials are voting Republican.

Millennials aren't even watching that bullshit brainwashing corporate droning bullshit, so who exactly convinced them to vote for the people who fucked everything up?

They are lying, no one is turning toward Republicans.

They are planning to steal the election.