The Lightning Rod Men

[Laxman]

The Lightning Rod Men

Political Opportunism, Intellectual Sloth and the Republican Party

We’re setting sail
To the place on the map
From which no one has ever returned
Torn by the promise
Of the joker and the fool
By the light of the crosses that burn- World Party Ship of Fools

Herman Melville published his short story, The Lightning Rod Man in 1854. It was a story ostensibly about a man who went door-to-door selling lightning rods. He would show up at people's doorsteps during the height of thunderstorms warning of the dangers of lightning and the benefits of his product in providing protection from the near-certain disaster that awaited those whose homes went unprotected. The story was about much more than lightning rods. If you aren't familiar with the tale, it's about a ten minute read and well worth the time. Melville's insight into the trade on fear is remarkable as is the applicability of its lessons to today's world.

The tried and true marketing techniques of this salesman of doom are alive and well in today's politics. History is rife with examples of advantage being gained from play on people's fear, anxiety and ignorance. From the Know Nothing movement's organization out of angst over a rising tide of immigrants to McCarthyism's search for the communists among us, there have always been people using the perceived troubles of the day to grab for power. Today's economic climate and a world filled with uncertainty and strife has given rise to the latest crop of Lightning Rod Men.

The present day shills ply their trade selling on fears of outsiders and impending economic doom. Deficits,taxes and growing socialism stalk us at home while terrorists and Muslims plot our destruction abroad. While the dangers that they profess are awaiting differ from those touted by Melville's Lightning Rod Man, they share a common thread in their sales methods. They each come bearing a magic bullet, a miracle pill or an amazing cure that only they can provide (and one that you must take advantage of immediately or face a horrible fate)and they are here to enlighten us on the special benefits of engaging their services.

Today, instead of selling a decorative copper rod, they are plugging tax cuts, spending cuts, union busting and limits on our constitutional freedoms, all in the name of freeing us and curing society's ills. The sales technique today is no less repugnant, the product no more useful than the Lightning Rod Man's. Yet, sales are booming. Plumbing the depths of our collective ignorance and fear has always been profitable.

But spite of my treatment, and spite of my dissuasive talk of him to my neighbors, the Lightning-rod man still dwells in the land; still travels in storm-time, and drives a brave trade with the fears of man.-Herman Melville,The Lightning Rod Man

If your neighbor succumbs to the sales talk and buys a lightning rod for his own home it is of no real consequence to you. However, when enough of your neighbors jump on board to elect these slick talking salesmen, we buy a bill of goods as a society and embark on a course charted by these carny shills disguised as leaders, guided by the lowest common denominators of self-interest and fear, we are on the fast track to nowhere. Their susceptibility to the sales pitch has real consequences for the rest of us. It's hard to fathom how John Boehner, Scott Walker, Chris Christie and the rest have taken over the wheel of the ship, but I do know that if we don't toss these guys overboard soon we are most assuredly headed for the rocks.

Save me
Save me from tomorrow
I don’t want to sail with this ship of fools

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

1. K & R

I like what you write. I just don't know if this makes me want to go out and do something or pull the shades down and get depressed.

[unblock]

2. living among enough fools is a danger even absent politics

if enough of your neighbors buy the silly lightning rods, and prospective buyers are equally fearful, then your house drops in value for lack of a lightning rod.

you can't run away from teh stupid. you have to educate. sadly, this is hard to do when those holding the megaphones have a financial interest in promoting ignorance and stupidity and fear.

[Laxman]

3. Interesting Observation

Education is definitely the solution. Getting their attention away from their fears is the first step though. Everybody also wants an easy and simple solution to problems. Real governing is complex. Especially in a diverse state or on a national basis. Don't be afraid and the real answer requires some thinking and hard work isn't always the easiest message to get across.

[Laxman]

4. Sorry-Too Late to Edit

I should have included this link in the original post. If you want to read Melville's short story just click here:

http://www.melville.org/lrman.htm

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

5. Thanks for the Link

I had never read that story before. Very interesting. "Those Canadians are fools!" Sounds like a precursor to the healthcare debate. :)

[Laxman]

6. Some interesting advice regarding those who criticize others

"This abuse of your own calling in another might make one distrustful with respect to yourself."

Always a good way to look at people who are quick to run another down.