911! 911! 911! Fear! Fear! Fear!

[johnaries]

Remember how Republicans used to use “fear-mongering” to manipulate public opinion? Remember how we and many Liberal bloggers used to try to point out how we were being manipulated? Remember how KKKarl Rove and his minions would twist the message - cheery-picking and twisting and misrepresenting facts, figures, and statistics to “catapult the propaganda” to make it seem that that reality matched their own twisted view, so that “reality” had no meaning? How they twisted the truth to match their lies?

Frankly, I was envious at how well the RW had controlled the “message”, and I advocated that the Left learn from the RW message control techniques.

Be careful what you wish for.

Imagine my chagrin when I saw some bloggers and websites who (rightfully) criticized other sources for cherry-picking, out-of-context, fact-twisting, and other dishonest methods DOING THE SAME THING!

What used to be "911!" is now "They're going to KILL Social Security!"

No.

It's fear-mongering. It's the same as yelling "9/11!"

Please, educate yourself.

Fear-mongering was wrong when the RW extremists did it. Fear-mongering is still wrong when LW extremists do it. It doesn't matter what side you consider yourself on, Truth is still Truth and Facts are still Facts. If you want to be a "true" Progressive, you will choose the path that will actually produce Progress. Not some ethereal ideal that only teen-agers can acheive in imagination - REAL Progress that actually helps the people that need help.

Again, let's help real people who need real help.

[Beststash]

1. Correct that fear-mongering

is just wrong and having become quite familiar with it for over a decade we can all see the harm that it causes. My recollection was actually in the 50's with the "red Scare" and the evil communists. Strange we seldom ever hear that term now that China has become our manufacturer and Russia collapsed.

As far as "They're going to KILL Social Security!" I think there should be legitimate concern by all regardless of party. But given the message of privatization and seemingly little regard for the most vernable by the right - there is reason for FEAR. It is not a money issue at all it is based upon conservative ideology with regard to social programs. There are many things that should be reformed but social security has simply become a wedge issue by the right and it seem that our nation is heading more for the 1950's than the 21st century. Beware of calls for austerity by those that have never had a prolem spending money - just not paying for it. The right loves deficits as history clearly shows. They also hate most if not all social programs.

Mean-spirited bastards!!

[johnaries]

4. Remember, they also tried to

portray themselves as the "party to save medicare" even though they consistently tried to kill it.

This hasn't worked well for them.

Regardless, my message is for those within our own Party who seem intent on destroying the party from within.

[treestar]

2. Rec'd.

And at least 911 actually happened.

[Drale]

3. I heard that

Hitler is plotting with, with the Legion of Doom to assassinate Jesus. I also heard that Darth Vader is trying to buy yellow cake uranium from unwed teenage mothers!

[johnaries]

5. And you should believe everything you read

:eyes:

[liberal N proud]

6. It's a fear that the right wing will welcome

Killing Social Security has been one of their primary goals since it was created.

[johnaries]

10. Yep, but it didn't happen.

My point is that LW Extremsits are using the Fear of SS to promote their agenda.

If it was wrong when RW Extremists did it, it's still wrong.

[liberal N proud]

11. Agreed, it is wrong

We slammed the GOP for the fear mongering and we best do the same with the left.

[gratuitous]

7. Sure

Just because it says "Mene mene tekel upharsin" is no reason to believe there's any handwriting on the wall.

[Amonester]

8. Define 'real people who need real help' .

Social Security is not broke AS IT IS (except for the 'fixable' COLA based calculations), don't 'fix' it.

END THE IMMORAL WARS.

[lumberjack_jeff]

9. It's not fearmongering. They want to eliminate debt by setting fire to the bank.

It's absolutely plain, obvious and in the open.

In 1983, workers consented to raise their taxes so a trust fund could accrue for our retirement. That trust fund is now a tasty morsel that the rich want for themselves.