Tuesday
Sep212010
We Have Nothing to Fear, But Fear Itself
Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 6:28AM
The Status of American Politics
As I have alluded to in some of my previous posts, 2010 is no ordinary year for America. Still in the throws of the recession, much like the rest of the world, many Americans appeal to be feeling a crisis of confidence... in their politicians, in their government, in their nation, and in themselves. The upcoming midterm elections promise to be nail-biting, as old heads are thrown out, party politics flipped on its head, and ideologies debated.
Disheartened is certainly how most voters are feeling. Politics as usual; the general impression they all have in their minds. Yet politics is conducted in much the same way year in, year out, so what has changed? Well, it's the economy stupid. With the entire country feeling the pinch, voters want answers and action, not the same old talk. But instead of agreeing on further proposals to strengthen the economy and create more jobs, politicians across the US have simply engaged in argument and blame games. "Its the Republican's fault we got into this mess, and still they are blocking new measures.' Or "The Democrats have done nothing to get us out of this position, the stimulus failed, the healthcare reforms are useless, and we're still where we were." As the races for governorships, state legislatures and Congress grow ever narrower, candidates on both sides have already begun to engage in negative campaigns: attack ads from both the politicians and third parties are shown every day on TV; newspaper stories print scandal after scandal, uncovering lies and sneaky actions. Politics remains as dirty as ever.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYzDwoDQhUw] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x673x5ropIs]
These are just two from Wisconsin... there are much nastier ones out there.
All this serves to do however, is turn voters off even more. The closeness of the upcoming election means that every vote counts. Because of the current climate, I think turnout should be high, as voters will cast their ballots for those who they hope can begin to change their economic situation for the better. But the continual attacking of each other will simply result in voters turning their attention to a candidate who can distance themselves from that, start anew, a fresh face, who doesn't belong to the political establishment.
And so, like a phoenix from the flames, the Tea Party has risen out of the ruins the Republican party has disintegrated
into since the 2008 elections. Beaten, cast aside, post-Bush, the mainstream Republican party has come under criticism from the right for accepting defeat so easily, giving in to Obama's reforms, and generally moving to the centre. Of course, that's where the votes are, but that's not where many grassroot Republicans want to be. What's remarkable about the Tea Party movement is that it largely remains a local phenomenon. Movements exist in almost every city across the country, without some great unified central leadership. Yet they share the same right-wing values, and pose a real threat to Democrats. They have already beaten Republican leadership backed candidates, and with more Republicans turning out than Democrats, have a real chance at winning seats in Congress and holding the balance of power. That said, in Delaware for example, Republicans were on to win healthily in Joe Biden's old seat, with their candidate, long time Congressman Mike Castle. However, Tea Party Candidate Christine O'Donnell beat Castle in the primaries, putting the seat back into play for Democrats. It could just save them the Senate, if they can convince enough moderate Republicans to shy away from the Tea Party.
It will still be a close race however, as the Tea Party is gaining more and more support, with angry voters joining their ranks; they are threatening to overhaul the entire Republican party, which may be no bad thing for them. There is talk of a huge turnover within the party, out with old and in with the new, as happened in the post Goldwater era. After 1964, Republicans were able to maintain a stronghold on political offices across the country (barring the occasional off year) for 40 years. The Tea Party is hoping to achieve this reform within the Republican party, as candidates harness the anger within voters at incumbant, career politicians, and their frustration at the continued economic situation, with their large-scale rallies and protests.
Why voters are against incumbent, career politicians, I am not quite sure. I think it's a little irrational; if I had a plumber over to my house, I would want an experienced one who knew what he was doing; if I was having brain surgery, I don't want some part-timer who just decided to give this a shot, but would rather go back to his day job. I want someone who knows what they are doing, and knows how to run the country. But, anger at politicians is strong amongst US voters, and it is that which is the strongest factor at play here.
On my travels, I was talking to a gentleman who offered a wonderful perspective on why voters are feeling what they are feeling. The short answer: they are afraid. Anger is the easiest emotion to portray when you are afraid, and thus it is the reason why so many voters are feeling like they do. They are fearful of where the economy is going to go next; they fear losing their jobs, their homes. They are afraid of how they might survive in the future. And they have every right to be scared.
But it is this fear which we must be afraid of. For while it serves to energise voters, and force politicians to be answerable and provide honest policies for the future, it also makes us irrational. Voters don't like the current situation, and are afraid of what might come next, so they run to the furthest thing from the present. Change is not always good. The future is scary, but it will be even scarier if we don't face our fears, but instead turn to the people who are making the most noise, and vote in extreme, untested candidates. Should the right wing radical Tea Party candidates hold the balance of power in political institutions across the country, then compromise will be dead. They have strong ideologies, and will not negate on their beliefs. While this is admirable, it means that Democrats and Republicans won't be able to work together, and our worst fears about the current climate could be realised. No new measures, no help, nowhere to go.
Fear is good. It makes us more aware, more cautious, more critical. That is good for politics. Too much fear however, can drive us into the arms of extremists. Personally, I think the current economic climate is good for my generation, for youths across the developed world. We have come of age in a consumer society based on the abundance of commodities, excess credit, and debt. Up until last year, this was perfectly acceptable. I have grown up in a time when technology was advancing every day, and it was easy to go out and buy the latest iphone or ipad. Now, my generation has the chance to learn from others mistakes, and see what this consumerism has done to society. We can take note of what debt does to people, and hopefully avoid it in the future. Fear can teach us to be concious of our finances and how to make society better for our descendants. Fear will make us better.
As I have alluded to in some of my previous posts, 2010 is no ordinary year for America. Still in the throws of the recession, much like the rest of the world, many Americans appeal to be feeling a crisis of confidence... in their politicians, in their government, in their nation, and in themselves. The upcoming midterm elections promise to be nail-biting, as old heads are thrown out, party politics flipped on its head, and ideologies debated.
Disheartened is certainly how most voters are feeling. Politics as usual; the general impression they all have in their minds. Yet politics is conducted in much the same way year in, year out, so what has changed? Well, it's the economy stupid. With the entire country feeling the pinch, voters want answers and action, not the same old talk. But instead of agreeing on further proposals to strengthen the economy and create more jobs, politicians across the US have simply engaged in argument and blame games. "Its the Republican's fault we got into this mess, and still they are blocking new measures.' Or "The Democrats have done nothing to get us out of this position, the stimulus failed, the healthcare reforms are useless, and we're still where we were." As the races for governorships, state legislatures and Congress grow ever narrower, candidates on both sides have already begun to engage in negative campaigns: attack ads from both the politicians and third parties are shown every day on TV; newspaper stories print scandal after scandal, uncovering lies and sneaky actions. Politics remains as dirty as ever.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYzDwoDQhUw] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x673x5ropIs]
These are just two from Wisconsin... there are much nastier ones out there.
All this serves to do however, is turn voters off even more. The closeness of the upcoming election means that every vote counts. Because of the current climate, I think turnout should be high, as voters will cast their ballots for those who they hope can begin to change their economic situation for the better. But the continual attacking of each other will simply result in voters turning their attention to a candidate who can distance themselves from that, start anew, a fresh face, who doesn't belong to the political establishment.
And so, like a phoenix from the flames, the Tea Party has risen out of the ruins the Republican party has disintegrated
into since the 2008 elections. Beaten, cast aside, post-Bush, the mainstream Republican party has come under criticism from the right for accepting defeat so easily, giving in to Obama's reforms, and generally moving to the centre. Of course, that's where the votes are, but that's not where many grassroot Republicans want to be. What's remarkable about the Tea Party movement is that it largely remains a local phenomenon. Movements exist in almost every city across the country, without some great unified central leadership. Yet they share the same right-wing values, and pose a real threat to Democrats. They have already beaten Republican leadership backed candidates, and with more Republicans turning out than Democrats, have a real chance at winning seats in Congress and holding the balance of power. That said, in Delaware for example, Republicans were on to win healthily in Joe Biden's old seat, with their candidate, long time Congressman Mike Castle. However, Tea Party Candidate Christine O'Donnell beat Castle in the primaries, putting the seat back into play for Democrats. It could just save them the Senate, if they can convince enough moderate Republicans to shy away from the Tea Party.It will still be a close race however, as the Tea Party is gaining more and more support, with angry voters joining their ranks; they are threatening to overhaul the entire Republican party, which may be no bad thing for them. There is talk of a huge turnover within the party, out with old and in with the new, as happened in the post Goldwater era. After 1964, Republicans were able to maintain a stronghold on political offices across the country (barring the occasional off year) for 40 years. The Tea Party is hoping to achieve this reform within the Republican party, as candidates harness the anger within voters at incumbant, career politicians, and their frustration at the continued economic situation, with their large-scale rallies and protests.
Why voters are against incumbent, career politicians, I am not quite sure. I think it's a little irrational; if I had a plumber over to my house, I would want an experienced one who knew what he was doing; if I was having brain surgery, I don't want some part-timer who just decided to give this a shot, but would rather go back to his day job. I want someone who knows what they are doing, and knows how to run the country. But, anger at politicians is strong amongst US voters, and it is that which is the strongest factor at play here.
On my travels, I was talking to a gentleman who offered a wonderful perspective on why voters are feeling what they are feeling. The short answer: they are afraid. Anger is the easiest emotion to portray when you are afraid, and thus it is the reason why so many voters are feeling like they do. They are fearful of where the economy is going to go next; they fear losing their jobs, their homes. They are afraid of how they might survive in the future. And they have every right to be scared.
But it is this fear which we must be afraid of. For while it serves to energise voters, and force politicians to be answerable and provide honest policies for the future, it also makes us irrational. Voters don't like the current situation, and are afraid of what might come next, so they run to the furthest thing from the present. Change is not always good. The future is scary, but it will be even scarier if we don't face our fears, but instead turn to the people who are making the most noise, and vote in extreme, untested candidates. Should the right wing radical Tea Party candidates hold the balance of power in political institutions across the country, then compromise will be dead. They have strong ideologies, and will not negate on their beliefs. While this is admirable, it means that Democrats and Republicans won't be able to work together, and our worst fears about the current climate could be realised. No new measures, no help, nowhere to go.
Fear is good. It makes us more aware, more cautious, more critical. That is good for politics. Too much fear however, can drive us into the arms of extremists. Personally, I think the current economic climate is good for my generation, for youths across the developed world. We have come of age in a consumer society based on the abundance of commodities, excess credit, and debt. Up until last year, this was perfectly acceptable. I have grown up in a time when technology was advancing every day, and it was easy to go out and buy the latest iphone or ipad. Now, my generation has the chance to learn from others mistakes, and see what this consumerism has done to society. We can take note of what debt does to people, and hopefully avoid it in the future. Fear can teach us to be concious of our finances and how to make society better for our descendants. Fear will make us better.
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