Angry & Afraid Is No Way To Go Through Life, Son

Polls Report America is “Angry and Afraid”

Corporate America’s Mission Accomplished Moment

News headlines and talking heads proclaim Americans are angry and afraid.  That's what "the polls" say at least.  Where is the rest of the story? 

Yes, I am afraid – afraid that the obstructionist Congress will cause more people to lose their homes, their jobs, their healthcare, their Social Security, and their lives on foreign soil.  I am afraid ALEC model legislation will result in countless Americans being denied their Constitutionally Guaranteed voting rights.  I am afraid for the women seeking health services who must follow new misogynist rules laid down by aged men.

Yes, I am angry – angry that we are a now a Nation where more than fifteen percent of our citizens live in poverty.  Angry that those jockeying for National and Local elected office scoff at science, make racially charged comments about our President, have a warped belief in the roll of government, cheer state sanctioned executions, and the state sponsored apathy which leads to the death of uninsured Americans.  

I am both angry with and afraid of the evolving role of Corporate Robber Barons and their sense of entitlement, their desire to poison our planet, strip consumers of basic protections, cripple the US economy, crush our unions, destroy the strongest middle-class in history, and engage in state sanctioned election rigging post Citizens United.

Too bad “the media” never bothers to ask what or whom we are angry with or afraid of.   Too bad the sample size, the demographic data, survey/poll methodology are not disclosed.  This, the pollsters argue, is a trade secret or, if given the benefit of sunlight, would cease to be a competitive advantage. Bullshit - their dirty underpants are showing.  They are not reporting the news they are making the news and swaying public opinion.  This "Wag the Dog" alternative reality must stop. 

I charge the media with sloppy journalism, a lack of integrity, and gross corporate-master editorial oversight.  Stop telling We the People what we “should” think.  Stop telling us “all” our neighbors believe thus and we should too.  This is not a commercial for some hot new product -  this is our Country. If they continue on this path, tomorrow I fully expect them to proclaim four legs good, two legs better.  Nothing to see here down on the farm. 

Throughout human history, people who are afraid and angry do not behave rationally or thoughtfully.  Each era in World History has its specific and sickening examples.  Our literature speaks to these evils.  Should the polls be believed, We the People will begin to fear the beastie, paint our faces, divide into child tribes and chant, "Kill the Pig."   We will become hyper-focused on me and and mine – not we and ours.  We will devolve into a cowering flock of sheep looking for a strong shepherd to protect and lead us.   Will we begin to consider that perhaps we are on the “wrong path” as a Nation.  That, dear reader, is the question. Will We the People believe the current spin and vote accordingly in 2012. 

The polls screaming doom have a very specific purpose.  It mirrors the purpose of the 1%, Corporate America, and the GOP – make President Obama a one-term President. They and theirs could only stand those better angels for one term; now it's time to return to the land of a terrorist in every closet, and a place where workers - where We the People - knew our place - at it was not at the big kids' table. 

Even the citizens of Springfield rose up together when Mr. Burns attempted to steal the sun.   If Comic Book Guy can get off his fat ass and engage in active citizenship – so can we.

It is time to get moving.  It is time to take back our country.  It is time to put our collective flip-flops on the ground and finish the fight the radical, rabid right and their corporate masters started.  Astroturf will never beat real grass roots in our America.   It's time to put on our "I'm mad as hell" underpants and "git to gittin'."

It is time to protest, to support Occupy Movements in your community, to switch you bank to a credit union, to Boycott Koch, to work for the local good guys and the national good guys.

It is time to participate in election judge and poll watch training.  It's time to attend town halls and forums and call the bad guys out on THEIR failed policies.  It's time to send emails and letters; it's time to make some phone calls to your Member of Congress - start with telling them to Pass the Jobs Bill.  It’s time to raid the couch cushions and donate. 

One reason our President won in 2008 was because people were tired of being afraid.  In 2012, I want him to win because I am tired of being angry. I'm not angry at you, Mr. President, I'm angry at those who would attempt to return our Nation to the 19th Century.