Do Republicans want us to be afraid?
Chris Wallace asked President Clinton this question September 22, 2006. Mr. Clinton replied: "Of course they do."
Republicans tell us that we must be afraid of the terrorist boogeyman because he will bomb us into smithereens. Yes, be afraid of the boogeyman who lives in caves and has no army, air force or navy and is much less likely to harm you or your child than the drunk driver who lives in your neighborhood.
But the republican fear machine is much more. Oh yes, so much more than that.
Republicans tell us we must also be afraid of gay marriage, we must be afraid of people who speak Spanish and, yes, we must even fear Tinky Winky and Sponge Bob Squarepants.
Fear this, fear that. Be afraid. Fear, fear, fear.
Do republicans want us to be afraid? Of course they do.
It is sickening.
Our ancestors did not huddle in the foul death-filled bowels of tiny ships to live in a new land where fear would be the principle to guide them.
Our ancestors did not fight a revolution against the most powerful nation on earth to form a new nation where fear would be the principle upon which to build a new form of government.
Our ancestors did not sacrifice thousands and thousands of young men and women in countless struggles to protect a country that was governed by fear.
You and I cannot pay our solemn debt to those who came before us or those to come if we let fear be our guide, if we let fear be our government.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness do not live at the end of the road paved by fear.
If we let fear be our guide we spit on the courage of our ancestors and the hope of our children.
In his first inaugural address to America, President Franklin Roosevelt told every American that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Why?
Fear is the enemy of democracy. Fear is the enemy of America.
Do republicans want us to be afraid? Of course they do. That is why they don't deserve to lead us or America.
CROSSPOSTED