Why does fear play such a role in our Election system?

It's all about who gets the power. We are choosing the most powerful man on the face of the earth. Last time we picked an idiot, because a large number of people wanted to have a beer with him. Turns out, he can't drink anymore.

And his vice president picked himself. Really. He was the committee to choose a VP, and he ruled everybody else out.

Now we have grandpa and his power-hungry whack-job of a sidekick ready to throw a wrench into the whole process.

This just in: Obama's grand-mama just died.

Now do you know why we;re afraid?

You're young aren't you? You don't remember the treat of Communism that was one of the main themes in the '50s, or the war in Viet Nam in the '60s. Then in the '70s, it was the anger against Nixon, then the anger against Ford for pardoning Nixon, then the idiocy of the Carter administration with its double digit inflation. Throw in the racial problems and the war protests.

Now, with a questionable economy and the high prices for gas and food, which can be traced to the pressure from the environmental movement, along with the global warming scam, fear is what drives elections.

Because it is used as a campaign tactic by Republicans, and it spreads like a disease throughout the whole election cycle. I mean, look at all the crazy accusations/hysteria on this board from the radical right. On one level it's laughable, but on a another it doesn't give you much faith in Americans as a people.

it's actually a proven and effective method-perfected by fascist/totalarian governments,like Stalin's. there's an excellent book-I think it is titled "Shock Doctrine" -which documents how the population of various countries lose/vote away their civil liberties/rights ,out of fear. fear of terrorists, liberals,religious freedoms, blah,blah,yada,yada.

the thing is -emotive thinking/closeminded-fear/hatred based thinking- is the lowest form of thought for humans ,but it is also the most powerful form of thought. is takes alot more effort to use higher levels of thinking like analysis,and synthesis. governements understand this and use tools like propaganda,and control of the media, to their advantage

Because we need to be afraid, very afraid.

~M~