It seems that we live in a world of panic; the oceans are rising, the fascists are about to take over our nation, the Russians are manipulating our elections, all Whites are racist, in fact, the entire society is racist, etc. The list goes on and on. It is almost as if there is a crisis de jour that can only be handled by an investigation, more funding for programs, a new set of rules and guidelines, etc. It goes on and on, week in and week out.
Much of this panic peddling comes from our politicians who we expect to be full of hot air. They need to keep coming up with problems and causes to keep our eyes and minds off the terrible job they are doing with the economy. After all, if you tried any of their budget tricks, you would end up in jail. But the pols are not alone for we have our friends in the press. Hey, each problem sells papers so why should they act any more responsibly? I bet the questions they ask the pols are not the ones you would ask as you probably have more common sense. Can you believe the silly questions they ask?
Why is it that when an election goes smoothly, the cries of “democracy is in danger” are heard no more? Why is it that when a climate report comes out stating that the “existential threat” to our future is not real, it is never splashed across the headlines or discussed by the “expert” talking heads?
We cannot, however, place all the blame on the pols and the special interest groups who need to keep the fires of silliness going to justify the money they want and receive. No, we also need to look at ourselves. All of humanity seems to thrive on the crisis de jour and we don’t hold those who peddle and report on each crisis accountable for their theatrics and false concern.
The attached article will, I hope, make you take a couple of extra breathes the next time a new “crisis” is proclaimed. Maybe, just perhaps, you might also laugh and be a bit more disconcerting about what to believe and who to believe.
