What exactly happened to the health care bill in the last one year? It started off with broad support and excitement. Over the course of the year, support gradually dropped, where less than half the country supports it.
Here is what happened - the politics of fear took over. A number of groups (republicans among the primary ones) created fear in people's minds - with things that were patently untrue or where their connection to truth was at best tenuous. People are swayed more by fear than by hope - unfortunately, so this technique worked.
This is not the first time the right-wing has played this card. In fact, fear is the hallmark of their politics. The whole basis of George W. Bush's two terms in office was fear. His dad, George Bush won on a campaign of fear - anyone remember the infamous Willie Horton ad? Before that. Ronald Regan attacked two small countries - Libya, and Grenada. Justification can always be debated, but the environment was clear - "be afraid, and take action based on your fears."
Obama was elected because he offered hope, not fear. Once he was elected though, he, and his staff let the fear machine take over - explaining the gains that the right is making.
Until Americans see through it, as a society we are going to be living in fear, and electing politicians who will exploit this fear to continue getting elected. Is this the society we want to build?
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