How times have changed. Now our government sponsors fear as a tool to get what it wants over the better judgment of the people. To be sure, there is plenty to be afraid of. But is nursing that fear to support a war or as a pretext to limit our civil liberties really good leadership?
Our most immediate enemy before and after September 11 was terrorism. Secondary to that were the rouge states that could wreck havoc in their corner of the world, and cause all manner of misery, but not likely to cause us much misery directly. Dealing with rogue states requires diplomacy and international consensus. Dealing with terrorism requires resolve, cunning, imagination and an honest look at the root causes. But the current administration has chosen fear. Be so afraid of terrorists, that we disrupt our lives and liberties, be so afraid of rogue states that we start wars.
And while we’ve got the fear thing going, let’s use fear as an instrument of policy advocacy:
Be AFRAID – Allowing gays to marry will destroy your family.
Be AFRAID – Cleaner air and water will cost you your job.
Be AFRAID – Stem cell research will promote abortions.
Please catagorize your fear according to the helpful scale below:
Now the only thing we have to fear, is the use of fear.
