The politics of fear

Cowing the commoners into compliance

Nothing motivates like fear. Marketing moguls monetize this carnal compulsion. Their advertisements warn of limited quantities and expiring discounts. The insurance industry is built on the dread of disaster. Pharmaceutical firms’ finances count on concerns over infectious illnesses.

But put that power in the hands of government? You end up with some pretty pernicious politics.

Though not the only instance, Covid was a study in governments’ ability to manipulate the masses by exploiting anxieties. It was a test of whether citizens possess the ability to think independently, or if they would be scared into submission. In large part, the latter proved to be true. The number of Chicken Littles that appeared in the barnyard was astonishing.

Despite all the history, notwithstanding prior publications from public health “authorities,” the masses moved in lockstep to obey the edicts of The Experts™. Regardless of any studies, science, or evidence to the contrary, the people bowed to the diktats doled out by their elected elites, all out of fear. In this case, fear of a mostly harmless flu-like virus allowed government to exert power like never before. This lesson in the languor of the laity is one government will not soon forget.

Government has used many ploys in the past to abuse the apprehensions of the unwashed: ice age, acid rain, ozone hole, global warming, etc. The amazing thing about all of these is that government used them as a pretense for implementing authoritarian policies with which they could otherwise not get away; then when the predictions did not come to pass, they claimed their policies saved us from extinction, even if there is no corroborating evidence. Covid took this despotic deception to a whole new level.

While many saw through the ruse, an unfortunate number still believe, still dutifully don their masks when in public, still rush to get the newest booster. These latter are the most easily manipulated.

These are the ones who are wondering why government isn’t doing more about bird flu. These are the ones who believe “White Supremacy” is the greatest threat to America today. These are the ones who believe the current measles cases are evidence of the next anti-vaxx-fueled pandemic. These are the ones who believe carbon dioxide-induced climate change is an existential threat to humanity.

When government can so brainwash people as to believe a medicine that has been used safely in humans for decades is only “horse wormer,” and that doctors who prescribed it for patients are quacks, that same government can convince those same people that giving up their liberty to allow government control is virtuous and that those who refuse are extremists.

This is the foundation underlying Rahm Emmanuel’s infamous quote, “You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it's an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.”

And this is why government creates laws to grant itself “emergency powers” - when the government knows it can exert additional power during an “emergency,” it manufactures emergencies so that it can wield additional power.

This is also why the founding fathers provided no such allowance in the Constitution.

When government finds it can accumulate power by convincing the people that the sky is falling, the sky will always be falling. “He’s a threat to our democracy!” “The stock market is crashing.” “He’s crushing the economy!” It all serves one purpose and leads to one end: tyranny.

Don’t be swayed by the politics of fear. It is a masterfully mendacious manipulation method meant to liberate you from your liberty.