The reactionary right wing – which tries to call itself “conservative” – MUST have “enemies.” They MUST have somebody, ANYBODY – to hate. Then, they can manufacture “reasons” why you too, should hate.
Hate those untermenschen; hate those “traitors”; hate those “undeserving’ people; hate those “enemies of the people”; hate “socialists”; hate “fags”; hate liberals; hate public health workers; hate those elderly election volunteers; hate doctors and nurses; hate abortion providers; hate labor unionists; hate workers who want livable wages; hate “communists”; hate Jews; hate Muslims; hate “Mexican rapists”; hate immigrants; hate “fake news” mainstream media; hate teachers trying to “indoctrinate” your kids; hate airlines workers trying to force you to wear a mask; hate those “freeloaders” on welfare; hate women’s libbers; hate women who refuse you sex; hate those people attending the “wrong church”; hate Black people; hate Latinos; hate Asians; hate transgendered people; hate “fraudulent voters”; hate gun control advocates; hate anybody who supports “separation of church and state” [like theFounders!!!]; hate people who “aren’t real Americans”; hate people who say you’re racist or intolerant.
The right MUST have enemies because then they can “divide and conquer”; then they can manufacture “wedge issues”; then they can misdirect your anger away from the the people who are guilty to the “Other_ – fake bogeymen, fake “devils”. And the real perps walk free [usually to the bank].
Quite often, the real perps are those who are funding the “enemies” search. Front groups with innocuous and patriotic sounding titles to cover the “dark money” trail.
Immigration is a current “hot” issue. There are a reported 60-80 million displaced and refugee people on earth. Many want a better life, many have smartphones. Many want to get to the tolerant and advanced “Western” liberal democracies.
People in the “target” countries have their own fears: what will X number of “them” mean to our culture, our jobs, our way of life? Unscrupulous politicians, world-wide, use people’s apprehension about being “overwhelmed” by X numbers of foreigners. “Elect me, I”ll make sure those “XX” people don’t get in and ruin our country.”
If his/her promise to “solve” the immigration crisis is all you wanted, then the amoral politicians DOESN’T. have to explain what else he/she is going to do – no matter how evil and corrupt.
And – neither they nor anybody else tells you what the REAL cause of millions of people leaving their homes and businesses. They don’t have to – you bought the lies.
The reactionary right MUST have enemies because they can’t tell you the truth – and still get elected. Numerous right-wing politicians have already confessed that. One former “conservative” political operative of some 20 plus years wrote a book about this. Because of all the lies, the only way to reform that party was to “burn it to the ground.”
ARE. YOU. THINKING/ The liberal 1933-1976 period produced Social Security, the G.I. Bill, union rights, Medicare, civil rights laws. Americans were the happiest people on earth, envied world-wide. The “conservative” 1980-202X era produced tax cuts for the rich and corporations, outsourcing American jobs, declining lower 90% incomes, the 2008 Crash which hurt the lower 90%, increasing polarization [due to lies]. The happiest people on earth live in Scandinavian social democracies. All fact-based analysis is based upon pre and post-1980 statistics.
Right-wing Republican presidencies since 1968 are known for criminality, corruption, impeachment and resignation, major scandals and constitutional crises. Nixon was forced to resign because principled Republicans told him he had to go. Trump wasn’t forced to resign because there are now few principled Republican politicians.
Besides all this, Republican administrations are known for LIES, and, lists of enemies.
The right MUST have enemies because they operate in a climate of fear and chaos, the twin smoke screens obscuring what they”re planning and doing. If they get you angry, they know your fears will overcome your rational thinking.
Follow the bouncing “enemies of the people” in recent years. Previously it was public health workers, doctors and nurses, trying to give you “fake news” on COVID. Previously it was elderly elections volunteers and those dastardly “fraudulent voters” stealing elections. Recently it was “un-American” teachers “indoctrinating” your kids. Now it appears the new “enemy” is Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse, and the more evil Daisy Duck and Minnie Mouse. [does it bother you, scare you, that the right wing is using government power to punish Mickey, Donald, Daisy, and Minnie for exercising their free speech rights?}
Hang on – it is only April. There are 6 more months before the 2022 elections. Would you care to bet on what new “enemies of the people” the right wing will find hiding under your bed? Maybe you should set up an office pool on who/what new “enemies of the people” will be “discovered” to be?
We’ve already had one right-wing, Republican, reign of terror looking for “enemies of the people.” It was known as “the McCarthyism era.” Reactionary, fear-mongering, Republicans instituted a witch hunt for all the “communists” under your bed, or in the government. Some were angry that a Republican president wasn’t reactionary enough.
Given the right wing’s track record, odds are just about ANY. American could wind up on the “enemies of the people” list. Give them enough time – and – YOU’ LL be on it too..
“It is the old practice of despots to use part of the people to keep the rest in order.” {Thomas Jefferson]
With Justice For All 