Now Fear This!

It’s time Democrats learned to use fear. That’s right, fear. I don’t mean the kind of unreasonable fear based on the lies of demogogues. I’m not talking about the sort of fear engendered by Obamacare “death panels” or the coming of an American caliphate. No, I’d like to tap into the good old fashioned fear of our ancestors, fear as a basic survival instinct. Considering what is at stake on Nov. 2nd, Democrats should exploit this historic opportunity to lay out the foundations for real fear in the electorate.
The following is a partial list of priorities that major Republican candidates have stated as their policy goals. Many of these candidates are on record supporting ideas heretofore circumscribed to the Far Right fringe. The fact that they are running on this agenda and not from it–the fact that these are serious candidates who represent a growing majority view within the conservative movement–should be reason enough to fear the potential political landscape on Nov. 3rd:

1. Repeal of the The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.
2. Elimination of the minimum wage.
3. An all-out assault on reproductive rights; from defunding family planning services to the striking down of Roe vs. Wade.
4. Indefinite extension of tax cuts for the wealthy. The gap between the rich and poor is wider now than at any other time in US history.
5. Repeal of financial reform.
6. Ending stimulus spending on infrastructure.
7. Scuttling meaningful energy legislation.
8. A general assault on science, including no funding for stem cell research.
9. Repeal of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (KY Republican Rand Paul).
10. “Drill, baby drill.” Using the economic crisis as an excuse to abandon Green Energy in favor of Big Oil and Big Coal.
11. Impeachment of President Barrack Obama.
12. The allocation of billions of dollars to finish the “dang fence.”
13. An all-out assault on gay and lesbian rights, from strengthening the Defense of Marriage Act to seeking a constitutional ban on gay marriage.
14. More funding for faith based initiatives. Many of the candidates categorically dismiss the idea of separation of church and state.

This is by no means a full list; I’m certain there are many things I forgot to include. However it’s enough to engender a fear based not on wild assumptions or conspiracy theories but on a very real agenda expressed by those poised to take control of Congress.
You’d think Democrats would have learned from the opposition. Fear has proven to be the most effective tool of the GOP for years now. Fear in the hands of the skilled does not paralyze, it mobilizes. Fear helps close the “enthusiasm gap.” Fear can motivate even the most passive observer to join the fray, to protect his or her family’s perceived interests.
Unfortunately, Democrats on the whole are not known for political savvy. Let’s face it; the Republicans are much better at controlling the message. When Democrats appeal to reason, Republicans respond with the gut. The American people see this as “decisiveness.” Republicans can sell an ill advised pre-emptive war with disastrous results and be seen as decisive. Meanwhile, Democrats flounder about, taking inarticulate stabs at the truth while leaving only a perception of fecklessness. For years now, it’s been John Wayne vs. Woody Allen. I say it’s time Democrats go Bobby Deniro on their asses. “Raging Bull” Deniro.
Cynical and disingenuous? Yes, but I’m tired of being beaten down by the constant stream of vitriol and poison from Fox News and the Tea Party extreme. If we truly care about the progressive advances we’ve made so far, if we want to move forward and not allow a draconian pall to cover Washington, then we should use whatever means necessary. I say fight fear with fear. I still believe FDR got it right in 1933 when he said those timeless words “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” But here in 2010, the only thing we have to fear is not being afraid.