Very sobering piece Doug. As I campaign for State Senate District 10 here in Wisconsin, I hear and see quiet examples of this every day. It comes in many forms. "I don't talk about politics," is a common refrain.
Just yesterday I met a retired couple at the St. Croix County Fair (at the Democratic Party booth) in Glenwood City. They told me they were from Minnesota and considering moving to the area. "Is it safe to live here?" they asked. They'd heard how conservative it was in St. Croix County and pointed at the gaudy MAGA booth in the same building across the way.
Many people say they will not put signs in their yard because they think someone will threaten them. It even comes out as a compliment - they'll praise me for running for office because they think it must be dangerous. It's a general feeling of menace that causes some people to withdraw, stay quiet, go along to get along.
There are some good signs as well. People will give me a quiet thumbs up and say they'll vote for me, but they won't go public. When I knocked a door last week one woman last week whispered "I'll vote for you" and pointed over her shoulder and said, even quieter, "but he wont" as her husband loomed behind her and demanded "Who are you talking to?"
We have had more and more people coming to Dem party meetings, and an increase in people willing to volunteer. When you dig into it a little with them, they are so disturbed by what they see, they want to do something to help. For them, the fear is a motivator. They are finding their courage.
Political menace and fear is corrosive and causes many to run the other way, turn inward, retreat from hard conversations, and avoid politics. Although MAGA tries to blame their opponents for creating this climate of fear, as JD Vance blamed Democrats for the shooting in Pennsylvania, it's clear this is a deliberate effort by MAGA over several years to suppress participation in democracy. Led by Trump and his followers, they insult, denigrate, and dehumanize their political opponents with this projection of menace. As you point out, they use the word democracy to project this fear, along with freedom, liberty, and other frames for democracy.
Courage is the ability to overcome fear. Everyone feels fear - it's a deep and abiding huan emotion that serves a powerful purpose in our lives, and sometimes a healthy jolt of fear can save our lives. Courage is a the practice of processing fear toward action. When fear emerges in us, we take a deep breath, look around, and keep moving forward. We face our fears with courage and we take action.
Saving our democracy in the face of threats and misinformation will take a great deal of courage. Feel the fear, then make a plan. Turn it into action.
Running for office is terrifying for many people, which is why they praise those of us who are doing it now. But we do it, one day at a time, and eventually we overcome our fear. Candidates help give others that same courage to overcome their fears. Candidates help them translate their fear to action. They can donate, walk in parades with us, write letters, talk to neighbors, and knock doors.
Thank you for your wise words. Now let's break out the courage and get on with the task, one day at a time.
Great piece! I’m very glad that we’re talking about human behavior and how it’s manipulated to produce desired results. We used to call it brainwashing but apparently that’s too strong of a word now. Pairing Trump with Joseph Goebbels seems fitting to me.
Very sobering piece Doug. As I campaign for State Senate District 10 here in Wisconsin, I hear and see quiet examples of this every day. It comes in many forms. "I don't talk about politics," is a common refrain.
Just yesterday I met a retired couple at the St. Croix County Fair (at the Democratic Party booth) in Glenwood City. They told me they were from Minnesota and considering moving to the area. "Is it safe to live here?" they asked. They'd heard how conservative it was in St. Croix County and pointed at the gaudy MAGA booth in the same building across the way.
Many people say they will not put signs in their yard because they think someone will threaten them. It even comes out as a compliment - they'll praise me for running for office because they think it must be dangerous. It's a general feeling of menace that causes some people to withdraw, stay quiet, go along to get along.
There are some good signs as well. People will give me a quiet thumbs up and say they'll vote for me, but they won't go public. When I knocked a door last week one woman last week whispered "I'll vote for you" and pointed over her shoulder and said, even quieter, "but he wont" as her husband loomed behind her and demanded "Who are you talking to?"
We have had more and more people coming to Dem party meetings, and an increase in people willing to volunteer. When you dig into it a little with them, they are so disturbed by what they see, they want to do something to help. For them, the fear is a motivator. They are finding their courage.
Political menace and fear is corrosive and causes many to run the other way, turn inward, retreat from hard conversations, and avoid politics. Although MAGA tries to blame their opponents for creating this climate of fear, as JD Vance blamed Democrats for the shooting in Pennsylvania, it's clear this is a deliberate effort by MAGA over several years to suppress participation in democracy. Led by Trump and his followers, they insult, denigrate, and dehumanize their political opponents with this projection of menace. As you point out, they use the word democracy to project this fear, along with freedom, liberty, and other frames for democracy.
Courage is the ability to overcome fear. Everyone feels fear - it's a deep and abiding huan emotion that serves a powerful purpose in our lives, and sometimes a healthy jolt of fear can save our lives. Courage is a the practice of processing fear toward action. When fear emerges in us, we take a deep breath, look around, and keep moving forward. We face our fears with courage and we take action.
Saving our democracy in the face of threats and misinformation will take a great deal of courage. Feel the fear, then make a plan. Turn it into action.
Running for office is terrifying for many people, which is why they praise those of us who are doing it now. But we do it, one day at a time, and eventually we overcome our fear. Candidates help give others that same courage to overcome their fears. Candidates help them translate their fear to action. They can donate, walk in parades with us, write letters, talk to neighbors, and knock doors.
Thank you for your wise words. Now let's break out the courage and get on with the task, one day at a time.
Paul Hambleton
paulforsenate10.com/
Great piece! I’m very glad that we’re talking about human behavior and how it’s manipulated to produce desired results. We used to call it brainwashing but apparently that’s too strong of a word now. Pairing Trump with Joseph Goebbels seems fitting to me.
I fear Vance.