Fear

Published October 17, 2013

by Gary Pearce, Talking About Politics, October 16, 2013.

Old FDR was on to something in March 1933. Eighty years later, fear itself drives American politics – and maybe is driving us into serious economic troubles.

 

Fear lies at the bottom of the mean streak in politics today. You see it in the Tea Party: “I’ve got mine; the hell with you.” You see it in ugly web comments: “I’m sorry you got cancer, but that’s not my problem.” There is the tendency to blame everyone in hard times for their situation.

 

But a discerning Democrat observed that this is natural reaction when people feel fearful about the economy and about their own situation. You want to protect your wallet and your savings and your money.

 

For five years now, we’ve been in scary economic times. And, over and over, we see Congress take us to a precipice beyond which lies…who knows what?

 

So people fret and worry: Will my IRA melt away? Will my pension be gone? Will I ever retire?

 

Now, with the daunting prospect of a debt default, they even worry: Will I get paid this week? Will my Social Security check be delayed? Will my Medicare be taken away?

 

When fear stalked America 80 years ago, FDR gave us the tonic of hope and optimism. Where is the political leader today who can help us rise above fear and see economic hope again?

 

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October 17, 2013 at 10:34 am
John LaVere says:

Mr. Pearce:

To answer your question: As far as I know, not anyone currently elected to the House, the Senate or the White House ...

John L.

October 17, 2013 at 10:57 am
TP Wohlford says:

Sadly, I read a lot more about "faith" in my theology classes than in my economic classes. When we're down to faith as a driver of the economy, we're at the very least into dangerous waters. After all, wasn't "irrational exuberance" as well as the entire Dutch tulip bulb thing exercises in economic "faith"?

No, "faith" isn't a good economic thing. "Gravity" might be a better analogy -- as it, you can jump off of a high place and have "faith" that you're flying, but in the end, "gravity" has its way. Same deal with economic reality.

Then again, I've seldom met a Democrat who took an actual econ class. Even those who claim to be "Keynesians" have scarcely read Keynes.